Comments on: Arizona Fall League Rosters Announced

By: VladiHondo

VladiHondo — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 20:09:22 +0000

Yeah! Actually sending real prospects to the AFL. Here was what we sent last year:
Pitchers: Hitters:
Jonathan Felfodi Seth Bynum
Dan Foli Josh Whitesell
Devin Perrin Kory Casto
Josh Perrault Dee Brown (while Casto was on honeymoon)

By: Kevin

Kevin — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 21:20:34 +0000

VH-

Wow, that really does seem like a boost in quality from last year. It does seem that Whitesell has had a good season, at least, though.

By: Pilchard

Pilchard — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 21:33:06 +0000

Two questions:

In the past MLB has sponsored a 2nd winter league for younger prospects (one year it was in Bowie, this past year it was in Hawaii), is there a similar league this year?
If so, are the Nats participating?

Also, will that Nats have their own fall instructional camp in Viera?

By: Brian Oliver

Brian Oliver — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 21:41:35 +0000

Yes, there is a Hawaii Winter Baseball League.

Yes, the Nationals are again participating (they were part of the BeachBoys last year). No, the rosters have not been announced as yet.

Yes, the Nationals are having a Fall Instructional League. No, I am not aware of the participants.

By: Benji

Benji — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 22:11:50 +0000

there is an MLB fall Instructional League, but it is just practice. They don’t actually play games. I’ll try and find a link

By: Mark

Mark — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 01:01:24 +0000

Maybe Kory Casto will be playing some 2B or 1B those seem to be the only positions that might bring him to the big leagues! The OF of the future (Marrero, Maxwell & Daniel) and the OF of the present (Pena, Logan, Kearns, Church) will prevent him from cracking the lineup in the OF long term IMO.

By: A DC Wonk

A DC Wonk — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 12:29:11 +0000

Naive question from someone who's never heard of the fall Ariz league before: what considerations go into who gets sent to Arizona. What level players go? Why these players and not others? Why not any of the guys from Vermont, or the other late signees (Detwiler, Smoker, etc.)?

Thanks,

By: Brian Oliver

Brian Oliver — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 12:59:52 +0000

DCW - Typically, the Arizona Fall League is where the close to the majors prospects go, hence Carr, Zinicola, etc. Detwiler might have been a consideration but the Nationals wanted to give Mock more IPs given the time he’s missed with injury. The high schoolers from this year’s draft likely won’t go to anything beyond the Fall Instructional League.

Detwiler might be an option for the Hawaii Winter Baseball League which typically features the younger prospects who are a bit further away than those in the AFL

By: A DC Wonk

A DC Wonk — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 13:37:46 +0000

Thanks. (Continuing on…) And is there a limit to how many can be sent to Ariz FL? Who runs the league?

By: Brian Oliver

Brian Oliver — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 13:41:23 +0000

From MiLB.com

The roster size is 30 players per team.

Each Major League organization is required to provide six players subject to the following requirements:

All Triple-A and Double-A players are eligible, provided the players are on at least a Double-A level roster no later than Aug. 1.

One player below the Double-A level is allowed per Major League team.

One foreign player is allowed, as long as the player does not reside in a country that participates in winter ball, as part of the Caribbean Confederation or the Australian winter league.

No players with more than one year of credited Major League service as of August 31 are eligible, except a team may select one player picked in the most recently concluded Major League Rule 5 Draft.

To be eligible, players on Minor League disabled lists must be activated at least 45 days before the conclusion of their respective seasons.

The Nationals have provided seven players, one of which will be inactive on a taxi squad.

By: VladiHondo

VladiHondo — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 17:16:11 +0000

Excited Maxwell is being used as the Nats non-AA/AAA player! Ought to be a good test for him.

The Hawaiian League is a lower level (A level and Rookie League) and done in conjunction with the Japanese Leagues, who also send players. Last year our reps were:

Ian Desmond (who played High A and some AA last year) Devin Ivany (Potomac) Adam Carr (GCL, Savannah) Marco Estrada (same as Carr)

Estrada dazzled, which put him on the prospect map (1.17 ERA, 33 Ks in 30 IP).

By: Marcus

Marcus — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 20:34:56 +0000

I know Clement is one of the Mariners top prospects and I’ve heard great things about him does anyone know how J. Flores compares to him?

By: Mark

Mark — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 21:01:10 +0000

Brian - I spoke to Ross Detweiler before the rained out game on Saturday and he is not planning to go to the Fall Instructional League or winter ball, he plans to go back to college and finish his degree in Hospitality Services.

By: estuartj

estuartj — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 14:17:08 +0000

Barry at the Post says regarding Justin Maxwell “Don’t be surprised if you see him with the Nationals when Potomac’s season ends.” His star is rising…