Arizona Fall League 2018

[scottz]

As reported by Phil Miller (https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1035228636633292800):

 

Griffin Jax Class A RHP
Hector Lujan Class A RHP
Alex Robinson Class AA LHP
Devin Smeltzer Class AA LHP
Travis Blankenhorn Class A 2B-3B
Jaylin Davis, Class AA OF
Luke Raley Class AA OF
Brent Rooker Class AA OF

 

 

[SF Twins Fan]

I'm excited to see how Jax, Davis and Rooker do for sure. I was kind of hoping Kiriloff would have gotten a chance but I can understand since this is first full season of pro ball to let him rest in the offseason.

[RaymondLuxuryYacht]

Glad to see Jax get the call

[nater79a]

I guess we now know that everyone's favorite throw-away trade - the Dozier deal - is really Falvey and Levine's gold mine - Smeltzer, Raley and Forsythe.

[Steve Lein]

Only two guys from my list of potentials I was hoping would go (from this thread) —Rooker and Jax.

 

But a much better list and use of the league's merits than last year.

 

Royce Lewis and Alex Kirilloff likely getting needed reprieve from their first full MiLB seasons.

 

Probably cements a no Rooker with the Twins in September (should have been that way anyway), but he could help him get a more legit shot at breaking 2019 with the Twins or being up really early.

 

Will love to see how Blankenhorn responds to the environment and talent there. His OPS has been lacking in the FSL, but he's tallied plenty of XBH's again. Should normalize next year in the Southern League and he'll have a good idea what to expect there after this.

 

Hopefully adding some evaluation to long-term bullpen outlooks on Lujan, Robinson, and Smeltzer. Same with Raley and Davis. 

[ashbury]

The same site that gave mistaken rules about the players' league levels also states that each team "is required to provide six players". I guess that can be interpreted to mean "no fewer than", although if all 5 organizations feeding one team provide 8, does that cause problems of getting each player enough work?

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/winterleagues/about/?league=119&id=player_elig

 

Maybe the actual rules are nothing like this.

[goulik]

I don't know as much about Robinson and Smeltzer but otherwise I like this list. Hopefully those not named Rooker will really catch a spark that will launch them up the prospect ladder! AZF has a history of doing that.

 

(Rooker does not need a spark...)

[Seth Stohs]

 

I don't know as much about Robinson and Smeltzer but otherwise I like this list. Hopefully those not named Rooker will really catch a spark that will launch them up the prospect ladder! AZF has a history of doing that.

 

(Rooker does not need a spark...)

 

When healthy, Robinson is incredibly intriguing, especially if he throws strikes... Throws like 98-99, can be a good slider. 

[FormerMinnasotan]

I’m a little surprised Griffin Jax made the AFL and Tyler Wells didn’t. With the season Wells has had between Ft Myers and Chattanooga I’d figure Wells would stand out more IMO.

[Mr. Brooks]

I’m a little surprised Griffin Jax made the AFL and Tyler Wells didn’t. With the season Wells has had between Ft Myers and Chattanooga I’d figure Wells would stand out more IMO.

With the time lost to his AF commitment, Jax needs the innings more than Wells does.

Much, much more goes into consideration than just who "earned" it.

[FormerMinnasotan]

With the time lost to his AF commitment, Jax needs the innings more than Wells does.

Much, much more goes into consideration than just who "earned" it.

Thats what I thought. Plus Jax had 85 IP this year while Wells has 113+ IP (and he pitches tomorrow). So I can see it in that way.

[tvagle]

 

When healthy, Robinson is incredibly intriguing, especially if he throws strikes... Throws like 98-99, can be a good slider. 

This right here shows the depth of Seth's research...I never knew sliding was tracked but glad we have a good one on the way up

[tvagle]

WAP - Wild Arizona (this is a family site) Prediction

 

Your 2018 Arizona Fall League MVP - Jaylin Davis

 

or

 

He could Fall on his face...I just think he's a sleeper to keep an eye on

 

And he's Rule 5 eligible so the Twins should find out some things on him, glad he's got the opportunity

[gunnarthor]

Well I'm glad Jax, Rooker, Davis and Blankenhorn are going. They are all good picks for different reasons. Jax needs the innings and it'll be interesting to see how Blankenhorn responds to the AFL. Davis is a potential sleeper in our system. I really like him. Rooker will hit clean up in a ML lineup someday.

 

I don't really know enough about Lujan, Robinson, Smeltzer and Raley. Lujan and Robinson seemed like org relief arms to me, but maybe I'm wrong. Raley and Smeltzer are the Dozier trade guys and it won't hurt to get them more atbats/innings, I suppose. Still there are other guys in the system that I though should/could go, like Thorpe.

[Seth Stohs]

 

I’m a little surprised Griffin Jax made the AFL and Tyler Wells didn’t. With the season Wells has had between Ft Myers and Chattanooga I’d figure Wells would stand out more IMO.

 

1.) Wells was told he had reached the # of innings this year that they wanted him at. This isn't about 'deserving', it's about what's' best for the players involved.

 

2.) Jax did well. He didn't start pitching this season until about June 1 (in games), and his job in the Air Force right now is preparing and working on baseball. So, no surprise in that one. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

This right here shows the depth of Seth's research...I never knew sliding was tracked but glad we have a good one on the way up

 

Yeah, pitchers sliding practice (PSP) in spring training is fun to watch. HA!

[ashbury]

Yeah, pitchers sliding practice (PSP) in spring training is fun to watch. HA!

Catchers doing synchronized popup drills is also fun, if a bit chaotic with all the "I Got It"s.

 

http://stmedia.startribune.com/images/10twin021413.jpg