Arizona Fall League Predictions

[Seth Stohs]

Today, MLB announced the managers and teams for the Arizona Fall League:

 

 

 

The Salt River Rafters will house prospects from the Diamondbacks, Rockies, Astros, Marlins and Twins, and Andy Haines will be the team's manager. Josh Miller of the Astros' organization will be the team's pitching coach, and Colorado's Kevin Riggs will be the team's hitting coach.

 

 

 

So, the next question becomes... which 6-7 Twins players will participate in the league... I'll throw out my predictions:

 

Byron Buxton - needs ABs

Kennys Vargas - need OK from team in Puerto Rico... shouldn't be an issue.

Levi Michael - needs ABs and gotta figure him out... will they add him to 40 man?

Stuart Turner - get to keep working and develop

 

Taylor Rogers - maybe that's why he's been put on the DL

Tyler Duffey - he's stepped up.

Mason Melotakis - keep working out of the bullpen.

 

My guesses... what do you think?

[twinsfan34]

Got a question...

 

Does the level of the player affect the Dominican, Puerto Rican, and/or Venezuelan players more or less than their respective homeland?

 

e.g. Eddie Rosario was suspended 50 games...got a bit behind he's a AA prospect, would he more likely go back to PR or would he go to the AFL?

 

The same logic could be applied to say, Miguel Sano, JO Berrios, and Jorge Polanco - all AA prospects who fit into that "AFL"-ish level prospects but also would, at least in years past, go back 'home' to play in say the Dominican Summer League...

 

I would assume Buxton, if he can avoid getting hit by about 30 more baseballs in the next month - seems to be an issue of late - maybe need to send Vargas down to A+ to charge the mound after Buxton gets hurt, burry the pitcher carcass in the dirt, and return to AA with the presumed understanding hitting Buxton won't be tolerated.

 

I don't think Sano will be healthy enough and they'll probably take it easy - so maybe wishful/hopeful projection on my part.

 

So...they are...

1. Byron Buxton - less than 30 GP, needs more work to get rust off for ST

2. Eddie Rosario - 50 game suspension, still hasn't gotten back to where he was last year

3. Zach Jones (just back from aneurysm surgery, needs work)

4. Max Kepler (again) - some nagging injuries as well - 40 man roster guy - needs to get 'somewhere'

5. If a catcher is needed...either Turner or Garver, whichever they feel needs more work.

6. Mason Melotakis

A big maybe, but maybe Aaron Hicks...to hit RH

[lightfoot789]

I like Adam Brett Walker to see what the Twins actually have.  Can he make the adjustments against advanced pitching?

 

I also like Zach Jones again if he's healthy.

 

I also like Travis Harrison since he will be a 40 man roster decision in 2015.  It will tell if he should move to AA next spring or repeat high A for a few months.

 

Definitely Buxton. 

 

Maybe Bundi (limited role).  If he excels - Move him to AA right away next spring.

 

Rosario needs more reps at the advance level as well.  I'm surprised no one mentioned him.

Can't Rosario and Vargas both get OKs from Puerto Rico to participate.

[twinsfan34]

I like the Adam Brett Walker addition...

 

I kind of error on pitchers not going unless they need the work, so for me Jones was an obvious choice. Kohl Stewart has 84-ish innings already...wouldn't mind seeing him against better competition, however is that at his 'quota' for the year.

 

I had Rosario as well...however, as my question indicated, will the 'international kids' just automatically go back and play in their respective Winter league?

 

If the competition is good enough, kind of like extra roster spots. If it's not as good of competition, then would prefer some of them here.

[Tibs]

Are there requirements to be in the Arizona Fall League?