Farmers Only: The Arizona Fall League starts today!
by BK on Oct 13, 2009 4:05 PM EDT
in Farmers only
46 comments
The offseason lull may have made its way to us Reds fans a few weeks ago (actually, a few months ago), but for most Reds minor leaguers, there's not much of an offseason. Reds farmhands will be playing in 5 different leagues, the most prestigious one of which starts today. Here's what you need to know about the Arizona Fall League.
Q: What the hell is it?
A: The AFL is a place where many organizations send their top prospects from the US, from the AA and AAA levels (although one "class-A" player is allowed and one international player is allowed from each team). Among the big names competing this year, the Marlins' Mike Stanton, the Braves' Jason Heyward, the Mariners' Dustin Ackley, the Nationals' Stephen Strasburg, the Giants' Buster Posey, the Rangers' Tanner Scheppers, as well as our own Yonder Alonso.
Q: How many players are sent from each team?
A: Each roster is filled by 5 teams who send 7 players each, giving the league 6 teams of 35 players.
Q: Who's participating from the Reds?
A: The Reds sent 4 pitchers to Arizona, a class headed by 2009 first round pick RHP Mike Leake. Joining him will be supplemental pick RHP Brad Boxberger, AA reliever RHP Sean Watson, and AAA closer RHP Logan Ondrusek. Rounding out the players sent are 1B Yonder Alonso, AA SS Zachary Cozart, and AAA outfielder Chris Heisey.
Q: Are they all on the same team?
A: Yep! The Reds prospects will be playing on the Peoria Saguaros this year, along with prospects from the Indians, Astros, Padres, and Braves organizations.
They kick off their year tonight at 8:35 ET against the Scottsdale Scorpions, with former Vanderbilt standout Mike Minor on the hill. We'll have occasional updates all season long of this league, plus the Mexican and Venezuelan leagues (which have already kicked off) and the Dominican and Puerto Rican leagues (which are set to start soon).
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I simply can't wait
Its a real big thing for a guy like Cozart, who with a strong performance could come into spring training and at least compete for the SS spot.
Also, we get PITCH F/X Data this year from the AFL. I don’t know about slyde, but I know that I am freaking stoked on that.
by dougdirt on Oct 13, 2009 4:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
dude, I was just about to post that
I’m excited about the pitch fx, though I’ve been so freakin’ busy lately that I haven’t even caught up with the MLB data. Still, it’s cool to have gameday for those games. Gives us some local baseball flavor during these cold fall months.
Definitely a good argument.
by Slyde on Oct 13, 2009 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah
I still need to run my script for the last day of the season, but the AFL data is going to be really fun to go through. While I doubt most guys will be at 100%, especially starters, its going to provide lots of actual scouting report type data to work with rather than second hand stuff we hear that may not be all that accurate.
by dougdirt on Oct 13, 2009 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
according to the roster
the infield consists of 2 1B and 5 SS. Through some limited research 4 of them seem to have been only used as SS, and 1 played 2B this yr (rodriguez) but only played in 33 games this season while playing both 2B/SS a yr ago. should be interesting to see how that plays out.
by sharks on Oct 13, 2009 6:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Another question:
Who’s coaching?
Let me write out a formal proof for you.
by Gray on Oct 13, 2009 6:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
A familiar face, actually
David Bell is managing the Saguaros this year.
"We, as for me all seasons you are affected peculiarly in the edge of my seat and are happy concerning the fact that the Adam Dunn fan has been mixed up exactly." - Reynard-san
by BK on Oct 13, 2009 6:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nine years ago...
…Bubba Crosby kicked butt in the AFL.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
by BubbaFan on Oct 13, 2009 6:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
So we shouldn't read too much into the results then :-)
It’s interesting to see what was being said about other guys too.
I'mma let you finish, but....
by nycredsfan on Oct 13, 2009 8:09 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
yeah
Some names are familiar. Some only got a cup of coffee or two. One never even made it to the big leagues.
In 2005, the Yankees’ 2003 first round draft pick, Eric Duncan, was the AFL MVP. Brian Cashman gushed about his talent, and said players like that figure it out very quickly.
Four years later, Eric Duncan has still never even gotten a cup of coffee. He’s a six year free agent now, so likely will never play for the Yankees.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
by BubbaFan on Oct 13, 2009 8:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
that's just part of MLB life
but it still is a downer to read stuff like that. For me, I guess I don’t want to believe that such talent can ultimately not come to much.
by Red_Poodle on Oct 13, 2009 9:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wonder
why some players don’t come to much, while some do. Sure, some of it is physical gifts, and some of it is luck, but more and more, I suspect it’s hard work and…dare I say it? Grit.
In particular, I wonder if better coaching can make a big difference. Would Eric Duncan have been more successful with a different team?
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
by BubbaFan on Oct 13, 2009 9:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
hard to measure
i think one of the better points of Moneyball is Billy Beane’s feedback on the difference between talent and ballplayerness (as i call it). Talent wise Len Dykstra couldn’t hold BB’s jock…but he had a much better career.
i think good coaching in the low minors can have a huge payoff but im not so sold on good coaching making all that much difference in the bigs. and i could be wrong, but i have a gut that coaching is much more important in the NFL and NBA than MLB.
"I have found me a home"
by obc2 on Oct 13, 2009 9:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Yankees farm system
seems to concentrate only on hitting. Preferably for power. You have guys come up and their defense is terrible, and they can’t bunt or run the bases…even though they’ve been in the minors for five years. Supposedly, Derek Jeter didn’t even know how to catch a ball correctly when he came up.
Eric Duncan, like Andy Phillips, was converted to 1B. A position, like Andy, he probably doesn’t have the bat for. It’s unclear if he’s really that bad on defense, if the Yanks moved him because A-Rod’s got 3B locked up, or if they just didn’t want to bother teaching him defense.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
by BubbaFan on Oct 13, 2009 9:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
the coaching question is a big one
I was concerned, after hearing what Bailey said about the help he got in Texas, that our pitching coaches in the minors are not on the ball. Then again, maybe Bailey is just a unique case.
by Red_Poodle on Oct 14, 2009 12:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
how about Don Gullet
he seemed like he was alright.
i mean sometimes Walt is like a prison shower, you know it is gonna happen, but it isn’t a good thing.
by justin007000 on Oct 14, 2009 12:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cozart batting 2nd and playing SS, Heisey batting 4th in CF, and Alonso batting 5th at 1B
Gameday Link for tonight’s game. Game time is 9:35 ET. I don’t believe Pitch FX will be running for this game (only in Peoria and Surprise)
Definitely a good argument.
by Slyde on Oct 13, 2009 8:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
cool
No photos, though. Common, how hard can it be to swipe the pics from their previous teams’ web sites?
I see former Yankee untouchable Jose Tabata is playing CF for the other team.
Do they allow the public to watch these games? Sell tickets, or let them in free like at minor league spring training games?
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
by BubbaFan on Oct 13, 2009 9:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
They sell tickets - $6 for Adults
or you can buy a season pass for $75 or a family season pass for $105.
Definitely a good argument.
by Slyde on Oct 13, 2009 9:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
don't we have RRers in AZ?
Somebody should go check it out in person, and report back!
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
by BubbaFan on Oct 13, 2009 9:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know
But I thought there was someone else.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
by BubbaFan on Oct 13, 2009 11:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm considering heading down there
maybe sometime next month
by sharks on Oct 14, 2009 12:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
you know
i think i could go my whole life never setting foot in Arizona and be okay with it.
i mean sometimes Walt is like a prison shower, you know it is gonna happen, but it isn’t a good thing.
by justin007000 on Oct 14, 2009 2:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I've already set foot in Arizona
I liked it. Very scenic. I wouldn’t mind going again.
My dad climbed up on this gigantic boulder beside a stream, to get a photograph. He slipped, and fell off into the water. Camera and all. (Nothing hurt but his pride – amazingly.)
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
by BubbaFan on Oct 14, 2009 6:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
have you been to New Mexico?
Everything Arizona has, but less people. So much better, in my opinion.
"And then there was the USAID guy in Kandahar who drove a giant pink Cadillac, which the locals set on fire one day. If you wanted to destroy something symbolic during a riot, you just could not do better than that. Good stuff." - Ghosts of Alexander
by Cy Schourek on Oct 14, 2009 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sedona?
Spring training?
Arizona Fall League?
Though one of coworkers vacationed in NM, and liked it so much he moved there. Just came back, told the boss he was quitting, gathered up the family, and moved.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
by BubbaFan on Oct 14, 2009 6:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
only been there once
for a spring break trip to lake Havasu and Phoenix, Phoenix is actually a pretty cool city. Some good bars around the university, and its always hot down there so the scenery at those wasn’t bad either.
by sharks on Oct 14, 2009 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
BTW
Adam Rosales, Wes Bankston, and Oscar Castro are currently playing in the Mexican Winter League. Rosales is 1 for 8 with a walk. Bankston is 4 for 8 with a double and a HR. Castro hasn’t pitched yet.
Luis Bolivar, Daniel Dorn, Ramon Ramirez, and others are playing in the Venezuelan League. Bolivar is 0 for 2 with 2 BB. Dorn is 2 for 12 with 3 BB and 3 K. He’s on a team with Lew Ford, who spent some time in Louisville this season.
Definitely a good argument.
by Slyde on Oct 13, 2009 9:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
free Wes Bankston!
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
by BubbaFan on Oct 13, 2009 9:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i just cant imagine Rosales in Mexico
ole!
"I have found me a home"
by obc2 on Oct 13, 2009 9:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I can't either
which is why that needs to be broadcast
by Red_Poodle on Oct 14, 2009 12:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tied 1-1
But still no earned runs in this game.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
by BubbaFan on Oct 13, 2009 10:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
There's an earned run now
But another error. Cozart throwing error.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
by BubbaFan on Oct 13, 2009 11:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why does Sean Watson rate a photo?
He’s not exactly the most aesthetically pleasing of the lot…
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
by BubbaFan on Oct 13, 2009 10:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
that is so sexist
you are degrading him based on his physical attributes.
i mean sometimes Walt is like a prison shower, you know it is gonna happen, but it isn’t a good thing.
by justin007000 on Oct 13, 2009 10:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
nothing gets by you, does it?
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
by BubbaFan on Oct 13, 2009 10:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
at the halfway point
Cozart: 0 for 3
Heisey: 1 for 2 (with a triple and a HBP)
Alonso: 0 for 3
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
by BubbaFan on Oct 13, 2009 11:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The AFL is a great showcase.
We’ll likely see some of these guys traded or selected in the Rule 5 Draft at the Winter Meetings. It’s always fun to follow.
We Are ... Marshall!
by Thundering Turtle on Oct 14, 2009 9:16 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Do you know who do the Reds have to protect?
I know Heisey is one, and I think its a fairly long list.
by sharks on Oct 14, 2009 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Valaika
And Travis Wood.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
by BubbaFan on Oct 14, 2009 6:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Aww man.
Not a good night for our Saguaros. They lost 8-4 to Scottsdale, with Watson and Ondrusek both giving up 3 runs in one inning of relief. Zack Cozart ended up 0-for-4 with 2 errors at SS.
On the bright side, The Heezy was 2-for-4 and Yonder was 1-for-5.
"We, as for me all seasons you are affected peculiarly in the edge of my seat and are happy concerning the fact that the Adam Dunn fan has been mixed up exactly." - Reynard-san
by BK on Oct 14, 2009 10:19 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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