2010 Arizona Fall League Rosters

2010 Mesa Solar Sox

Organizational Affiliations: Angels, Cubs, Mets, Phillies, Pirates

Home Games: Hohokam Park, Mesa

Manager: Casey Kopitzke (CHC) As of August 31, 2010

Pitching Coach: Ricky Bones (NYM)

Hitting Coach: Mark Parent (PHI)

Trainers: Bryan Housand (PIT)

Brian Reinker (LAA)

Pitchers

Ryan Brasier LAA
Tyson Brummett PHI
David Cales CHC
Chris Carpenter CHC
Robert Carson NYM
Justin De Fratus PHI
Robert Fish LAA
Stephen Geltz LAA
Chris Kissock PHI
Eddie McKiernan LAA
Jake Muyco CHC
B.J. Rosenberg PHI
Kyle Smit CHC
Josh Stinson NYM
Josh Zeid PHI

The Mets and Pirates have additional pitching spots to fill.

Catchers

Kai Gronauer NYM
Tim Kennelly PHI
Tony Sanchez PIT

Infielders

Ryan Flaherty CHC
Josh Harrison PIT
Jordy Mercer PIT
Matt Rizzotti PHI
Andrew Romine LAA
Jordany Valdespin NYM
Josh Vitters CHC
Brandon Wood LAA

Outfielders

Brett Jackson CHC
Andrew Lambo PIT
Jeremy Moore LAA

The Mets and Phillies will each provide another outfielder.

2010 Peoria Javelinas

Organizational Affiliations: Astros, Blue Jays, Indians, Mariners, Red Sox

Home Games: Peoria Sports Complex

Manager: Mike Sarbaugh (CLE) As of August 31, 2010

Pitching Coach: Kevin Walker (BOS)

Hitting Coach: Stubby Clapp (HOU)

Trainers: Eddie Tamez (SEA)

Bob Tarpey (TOR)

Pitchers

Scott Barnes CLE
Eric Berger CLE
Maikel Cleto SEA
Matt Daly TOR
Alana Farina TOR
Dan Farquhar TOR
Josh Fields SEA
Seth Garrison BOS
Kyle Greenwalt HOU
Josh Lueke SEA
Chen-Chang Lee CLE
Matt Nevarez HOU
Sergio Perez HOU
Jason Rice BOS
Dan Turpen BOS
Patrick Urckfitz HOU
Thomas Wilhelmsen SEA

The Red Sox Indians and Blue Jays will each provide another pitcher.

Catchers

Ryan Lavarnway BOS

The Indians will provide another catcher.

Infielders

Dustin Ackley SEA
Koby Clemens HOU
Adeiny Hechavarria TOR
Jose Iglesias BOS
Jason Kipnis CLE
Matt Mangini SEA
Mike McDade TOR
Cord Phelps CLE

Outfielders

Juan Carlos Linares BOS
T.J. Steele HOU
J.B. Shuck HOU
Eric Thames TOR
Nate Tenbrink SEA

2010 Peoria Saguaros

Organizational Affiliations: Padres, Rays, Reds, Twins, White Sox

Home Games: Peoria Sports Complex

Manager: Ted Simmons (SD) As of August 31, 2010

Pitching Coach: Richard Dotson (CWS)

Hitting Coach: Floyd Rayford (MN)

Trainers: Jimmy Mattocks (CIN)

Lee Slagle (TB)

Pitchers

James Avery CIN
Brad Brach SD
David Bromberg MIN
Anthony Carter CWS
Alex Cobb TB
Sergio Espinosa TB
Steve Garrison SD
Carlos Gutierrez MIN
Jeremy Hall TB
Jeremy Horst CIN
Craig Italiano SD
Charles Leesman CWS
Johnnie Lowe CWS
Cory Luebke SD
Henry Mabee CWS
Tyler Robertson MIN
Neil Schenk TB
Phillippe Valiquette CIN
Kyle Waldrop MIN

The Reds will provide another pitcher.

Catchers

Luis Martinez SD
Devin Mesoraco CIN
Josh Phegley CWS

Infielders

Eduardo Escobar CWS
Cole Figueroa SD
Logan Forsythe SD
Kristopher Negron CIN
Chris Parmelee MIN
Jose Ruiz TB
Henry Wrigley TB

Outfielders

Leslie Anderson TB
Joe Benson MIN
Jared Mitchell CWS
Ben Revere MIN
Dave Sappelt CIN

2010 Phoenix Desert Dogs

Organizational Affiliations: Athletics, Braves, Dodgers, Marlins, Yankees

Home Games: Phoenix Municipal Stadium

Manager: Don Mattingly (LAD) As of August 31, 2010

Pitching Coach: Garvin Alston (OAK)

Hitting Coach: Jamie Dismuke (ATL)

Trainers: Scott Difrancesco (NYY)

Julio Hernandez (FLA)

Pitching Assistant: Danny Borrell (NYY)

Pitchers

Pete Andrelczyk FLA
Travis Banwart OAK
Brandon Beachy ATL
Mike Benacka OAK
Michael Broadway ATL
Jay Buente FLA
Steve Cishek FLA
Kyle Cofield ATL
Erik Cordier ATL
Javy Guerra LAD
Carlos Hernandez OAK
Craig Heyer NYY
Justin James OAK
George Kontos NYY
Jon Link LAD
Justin Miller LAD
Brad Stone FLA

The Yankees and Dodgers will provide additional pitchers.

Catchers

Austin Romine NYY
Kyle Skipworth FLA
Matt Wallach LAD

Infielders

Ryan Curry FLA
Ivan De Jesus LAD
Freddie Freeman ATL
Grant Green OAK
Corban Joseph NYY
Osvaldo Martinez FLA
Stephen Parker OAK
Tyler Pastornicky ATL
Jerry Sands LAD

Outfielders

Cory Harrilchak ATL
Brandon, Laird NYY
Trayvon Robinson LAD
Michael Taylor OAK

2010 Scottsdale Scorpions

Organizational Affiliations: Diamondbacks, Giants, Nationals, Orioles, Rockies

Home Games: Scottsdale Stadium

Manager: Randy Knorr (WAS) As of August 31, 2010

Pitching Coach: Blaine Beatty (BAL)

Hitting Coach: Alan Zinter (ARI)

Trainers: Chris Dovey (COL)

Eric Ortega (SF)

Pitchers

Bruce Billings COL
Rex Brothers COL
Adam Carr WAS
Josh Collmenter ARZ
Oliver Drake BAL
Pat Egan BAL
Adam Jorgenson COL
Cole Kimball WAS
Kam Mickolio BAL
Wynn Pelzer BAL
Greg Reynolds COL
Bryan Shaw ARI
Sammy Solis WAS
Dan Stange ARI
Bryan Woodall ARI

The Giants and Nationals will provide additional pitchers.

Catchers

Caleb Joseph BAL
Derek Norris WAS
Jordan Pacheco COL
Konrad Schmidt ARI

Infielders

Ryan Adams BAL
Brandon Belt SF
Charlie Culberson SF
Thomas Field COL
Conor Gillaspie SF
Steve Lombardozzi WAS
Greg Miclat BAL
Ty Townsend BAL

Outfielders

Charlie Blackmon COL
Mike Burgess WAS
Marc Krauss ARI
A.J. Pollock ARI

The Orioles will provide another outfielder.

2010 Surprise Rafters

Organizational Affiliations: Brewers, Cardinals, Rangers, Royals, Tigers

Home Games: Surprise Stadium

Manager: Mike Guerrero (MIL) As of August 31, 2010

Pitching Coach: Brad Holman (TEX)

Pitching Assistant: Ray Burris (DET)

Hitting Coach: Derrick May (STL)

Trainers: Dave Iannicca (KC)

Corey Tremble (DET)

Pitchers

Brian Broderick STL
Brooks Brown DET
Danny Duffy KC
Michael Fiers MIL
Adalberto Flores TEX
Danny Gutierrez TEX
Matt Hoffman DET
Eric Hurley TEX
Jeremy Jeffress MIL
Patrick Keating KC
Blake King STL
Brandon Kintzler MIL
Lucas Luetge MIL
Mike McClendon MIL
Dan Merklinger MIL
Mike Montgomery KC
Tim Murphy TEX
Chance Ruffin DET
Brendan Wise DET

The Cardinals and Royals will provide additional pitchers.

Catchers

Tony Cruz STL
Jose Felix TEX
Salvador Perez KC

Infielders

Eric Farris MIL
Johnny Giavotella KC
Eric Hosmer KC
Cale Iorg DET
Pete Kozma STL
Brett Lawrie MIL
Francisco Martinez DET
Davis Stoneburner TEX
Ryan Strieby DET

The Cardinals will provide an additional infielder.

Outfielders

Engle Beltre TEX
Joey Butler TEX
Adron Chambers STL
Derrick Robinson KC
Logan Schafer MIL

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100831&content_id=14142872&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb&partnerId=rss_mlb

AFL Update: Stephen Strasburg

The Nationals Rotation Ace of the Future, Stephen Strasburg made his second appearance in the Arizona Fall League yesterday. It did not go uite as well as the first one. Actually it was a lot different in that he allowed eight runs (seven earned) over 2 and 2/3 innings. But in the AFL this should not be taken too seriously. This is definitely a hitters league. Every team is essentially a minor league All-Star team. Plus, pitchers are often working on things like developing a change-up or learning to work around the zone.

Harry Pavlidis of Beyond the Box Score has done some great work analyzing Strasburg's pitches. That you should definitely read to get some insight into the pitcher that everyone is talking about. Here is a small sample:

Beyond the speed gap of 7 or 8 mph (very nice), Strasburg's change "sank" about six inches relative to the fastball, which is brutal. If he's hiding that thing at all, yikes. If today was any indication, he was. He kept it out of the zone (30%), but every one he threw for a strike yielded a swing. Two of the seven balls were chased. Of the five total swings, three found nothing but air. Two made contact, on the ground, which still didn't work out well. Both were singles.

You can check out the details of the outing including who did what damage by reading Barry M. Bloom's report on Nationals (dot) com.

Strasburg allowed eight earned runs and seven hits, including three homers (one a grand slam), in a 9-6 loss to the Peoria Javelinas. It was his first look at that kind of disaster. Take note that he gave up only 16 earned runs in 15 college starts this season for San Diego State, for which he was 13-1 with a 1.32 ERA during his junior year.

Strasburg Wins in AFL Debut

Despite all the cautions you'll hear about the dangers of drafting rookie pitchers, Stephen Strasburg is likely to be a much discussed talent from now until April. Strasburg made his AFL debut on Friday to much fanfare. Here is a round-up of writing on the results:

Strasburg wins his professional debut(Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com)
Strasburg, taken first in June's First-Year Player Draft by the Nationals, threw 50 pitches -- 32 of them strikes -- for the Phoenix Desert Dogs. He faced 11 Scottsdale Scorpions hitters, walked one, struck out two, allowed a pair of singles and earned the win in his club's 7-4 victory. The two strikeouts came with one out in the first inning and were of the swinging variety.

Strasburg sparkles in AFL debut (Jason Grey /ESPN)
The first pitch was 99 miles per hour. That was how Washington Nationals prospect Stephen Strasburg announced his presence at the Arizona Fall League...As expected, Strasburg busted out the 88-91 mph changeup he rarely used as an amateur. Not only was it impressive, he used it as an out pitch in the first inning, getting both his strikeouts on changes with good tumble. He showed off a heavy two-seam fastball at 90-94 mph to go with the four-seamer, and his 82-84 mph slider was a solid 60 on the 20-80 scouting scale on this night, though I've seen it even better...It would shock me if he were not in the Nationals' opening day rotation.

Strasburg’s AFL Debut (Conor Glassey/Baseball America's Prospects Blog)
From a mechanical standpoint, the scout stated that Strasburg “gets a little forward with his arm and hand in his delivery. Also, his elbow gets closed up on top. I’m a little worried about his ability to drive downward all the time. He throws so hard and gets such ride and carry on his fastball, he can throw it up in the zone and get away with it. There are a few little red flags and he needs to clean up his delivery a bit. But the positives outweigh the negatives.”

I think the consensus says that Stephen Strasburg is going to be a force for the Washington Nationals and soon. I would not go out of my way to add a rookie pitcher to my roster but if he came easily and naturally enough (and at a rookie pitcher price) I would gladly accept his presence on my fantasy rosters in 2010.

The Fantasy Impact of the Vazquez Trade

There are now a lot of reasons to like Javier Vazquez in 2009. Just in case you have been living in a cave or haven't bothered to scan the post directly below this one I'll fill you in on the biggest reason for that change:

Veteran right-handed starter, Javier Vazquez and left-handed reliever Boone Logan have been traded from the Chicago White Sox to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for a package of prospects that almost certainly includes a young lefty starter, Jo-Jo Reyes and infielder Brett Lillibridge. The one remaining prospect has yet to be determined but speculation by ESPN reporters suggest that it is one or two of a group that includes catcher Tyler Flowers, third baseman Jon Gilmore, and pitcher Santos Rodriguez. Most reports are assuming that the White Sox will pick Flowers and with good reason. It has also been reported more recently that the White Sox will receive all three prospects and Lillibridge leaving Reyes with the Atlanta Braves.

If this is the same package that the Braves were offering the San Diego Padres in the Jake Peavy negotiations then I now understand why they could not complete the deal. However, the Braves were rumored to be including two significantly better prospects - center fielder Jordan Schafer and right-hander Tommy Hanson. That deal would also have potentially cost them their potentially great shortstop Yunel Escobar. Instead, as a poster on the RotoJunkie forums put it, the Braves got 80 percent of the pitcher for 20 percent of the cost. Final- TRADE UPDATE

Almost every pitcher improves when he moves from the American League to the National League. This has been shown in several places. Their strikeouts increase mostly by virtue of facing other pitchers rather than designated hitters. Vazquez as an excellent strikeout pitcher should certainly benefit from this change. This alone should be enough to convince most owners to take a chance on Vazquez in 2009 but there is even more. The move from U.S. Cellular Field (+ 0.077 runs in 2008) to Turner Field which usually plays as a major pitchers' park (it didn't in 2008 probably because the Braves did not have many pitchers worthy of the starting jobs) should knock potentially almost a full run from Vazquez's performance stats.


It also helps that Vazquez has always looked statistically like a much better pitcher than his performance would suggest. His career FIP is just 3.93 compared to his career ERA of 4.32. His career K-rate is 7.99, his BB-rate is just 2.39 - a career K/BB of 3.34. He is a flyball pitcher who has allowed a career 1.19 HR/9 which is probably the biggest negative he has. Hopefully the better pitching environment in Atlanta can neutralize this.

Mark Hulet over at Fangraphs (remember those great statistical sources I told you about) has a great review of the prospects involved. Tyler Flowers is obviously the best of the lot, especially where fantasy baseball is concerned. He should be an extremely hot commodity in leagues that draft minor leaguers (there is a chance he starts the season in the majors but not a large one).

Would You Draft Phil Hughes

After years of hype, Phil Hughes has finally hit his low as a fantasy baseball prospect. He has had little if any value in even the deepest of leagues. Hughes is now claimingto be ready for 2009 but we've heard similar declarations before. beyond the occasional flash of talent he has done nothing for fantasy owners.

But...

Those flashes... He seems to end every season on a roll. He dominated the Arizona Fall League. In the AFL he loked exactly like the ace that the Yankees have been counting on in their rotation. Remember when he was ranked higher than Joba Chamberlain?

Tell me in the comments if you would draft him in your leagues in 2009.