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2002 season preview
Words to this effect have been echoed every season of the Arizona Fall League's 11-year history. The 2002 campaign will be no different, as the 30 Major League Baseball teams are each sending six of their best high-level prospects to the Phoenix area for seven weeks for what is unquestionably the best development league in operation.
As in the previous nine years, many members of the AFL class of 2001 have already made their marks in the big leagues. Eric Hinske (Blue Jays - 3B) and Austin Kearns (Reds - OF) are both contenders for their league's Rookie of the Year award. Others like Carl Crawford (Devil Rays - OF), Orlando Hudson (Blue Jays - 2B), Kevin Mench (Rangers - OF) and Bobby Hill (Cubs - 2B) moved into starting roles partway through the season. The 2002 rosters look every bit as stacked with top prospects as in the past. Like last year, the emphasis is again on hitters, as the parent organizations are hesitant to overwork their better young pitchers. Mark Teixeira (Texas), considered to be one of the top hitting prospects in minor league baseball, heads an impressive list of position players reporting to Arizona this week. The switch-hitting third baseman from Georgia Tech hit better than .300 with a combined 19 homeruns at high Class A and AA in his debut professional season.
Another blue chipper is Rocco Baldelli (Devil Rays - OF), who made a meteoric rise through the Tampa Bay system to establish him as one of baseball's best young players. Other top-ranked hitters on AFL rosters include Hee Seop Choi (Cubs - 1B), Brandon Phillips (Indians - SS), Justin Morneau (Twins - 1B), Mike Restovich (Twins - OF), Xavier Nady (Padres - OF), Adrian Gonzalez (Marlins - 1B), Wily Mo Pena (OF- Reds) and John Buck (Astros - C). Pitchers to watch are former first round draft choice Josh Karp (Expos), Chris Bootcheck (Angels), last year's AFL strikeout leader Bobby Jenks (Angels), Brad Baker (Padres), Clint Nageotte (Mariners), Brad Baisley (Phillies) and Brian Tallet (Indians).
The Arizona Fall League is also highly regarded as a breeding ground for future Major League managers, with Dusty Baker (Giants), Jerry Manuel (White Sox) and Mike Scioscia (Angels) among the current big league skippers who first managed in the AFL. This season's slate of AFL managers includes a name better known for the operation that revived his pitching career; 17-year veteran Tommy John will lead the Maryvale Saguaros this fall. Scottsdale manager Al Pedrique, who was at the helm of the AAA Tucson Sidewinders in 2002, played shortstop for three major league teams; he is regarded as a strong candidate for a future big league job. As in previous years, the rosters for the Arizona Fall League change significantly from the time they are announced in mid-August until the beginning of the season, so not all players mentioned in this preview will make it to the AFL. But one fact is certain ... the caliber of baseball to be played over the next two months will be very good, and more than just a few members of the Class of 2002 will be in major league starting lineups next April. Play ball! Team Reports and Rosters Grand
Canyon Rafters
All photos on the Arizona Fall League Report are credited to Bill Mitchell, unless noted otherwise, and are not to be used for any other purpose without express permission.
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