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2006 season October 8, 2006 The Arizona Fall League's 14th season kicks off in two days, and all six squads were working out on Phoenix-area training complexes this weekend.
Scottsdale Stadium is back in the mix this year now that renovations there have been completed. The Scorpions return from their one year hiatus in Surprise, while the Grand Canyon Rafters will continue to play at Surprise Recreational Complex. Returning to the same locations as last year are the Phoenix Desert Dogs, Mesa Solar Sox, Peoria Javelinas and Peoria Saguaros. The biggest change for '06 is the expansion of pitching staffs in order to ensure that each team will have enough pitchers to get through the six-week season at a time of year when organizations prefer to shut down their better pitching prospects. The effect of this change is that the quality of pitchers being sent to the AFL may be the best in the history of the league. With six weeks of serious Fall ball ahead of us, here's a quick glance at who to watch this year. Also, check John Kazlo's report from the initial roster announcements for additional analysis of the league's top prospects. Grand Canyon Rafters The biggest name on the Rafters roster is the #1 overall draft pick from 2006, pitcher Luke Hochevar (Royals - P). After holding out for a year, the right-hander showed enough in his brief time with the Royals organization to show his potential as a future frontline starter. There's also plenty of offensive firepower on the Rafters, led by the Rockies tandem of Troy Tulowitzki (Rockies - SS) and Joe Koshansky (Rockies - 1B). Others to watch are '05 AFL returnee Neil Walker (Pirates - C), Nolan Reimold (Orioles - OF), and Jeff Fiorentino (Orioles - OF). Mesa Solar Sox One of the league's most intriguing prospects is Fernando Martinez (Mets - OF), who only turns 18 on the season's opening day. The Dominican left-handed hitter will be the youngest player in AFL history. The Mets are also sending the most impressive duo of pitchers in former first round picks Mike Pelfrey (Mets - P) and Phillip Humber (Mets - P). Both men saw action with the big league team in 2006. Other potential aces on the Solar Sox include Matt Albers (Astros - P), Troy Patton (Astros - P), and Kevin Slowey (Twins - P). Hunter Pence (Astros - P) has prodigious power and puts on one of the best batting practice shows in the minor leagues. Eric Patterson (Cubs - 2B) and Taiwanese national Chin-Lung Hu (Dodgers - SS) give the Solar Sox a strong middle infield. Peoria Javelinas One of last year's fan favorites when he played for the champion Desert Dogs was Jarrod Saltalamacchia (Braves - C), who returns to the AFL with the Javelinas. He's still regarded as one of the game's top catching prospects. The AFL may need to add another clubhouse attendant in Peoria just to stitch the names on the back of the Javelina uniforms. In addition to Saltalamacchia, this team has Michael Garciaparra (Mariners - SS) and Matt Tuiasosopo (Mariners - 3B). Factor in left-hander Ryan Rowland-Smith (Mariners - P), and that's a whole team's worth of letters right there. Back to more serious matters, the speedy duo of Jacoby Ellsbury (Red Sox - OF) and Trevor Crowe (Indians - OF/2B) are two to watch. Sluggers of note include Brian Barton (Indians - OF) and Gaby Hernandez (Marlins - 1B).Michael Aubrey (Indians - 1B), who was scheduled to appear in the AFL in an attempt to make up for time missed to injuries the last two seasons, has been replaced on the roster by Kevin Kouzmanoff (Indians - 3B/1B). The biggest name on the pitching staff is 2005 first rounder Joey Devine (Braves - P), often called Atlanta's closer of the future. Peoria Saguaros This Peoria team will be carried by their deep pitching staff, with five top prospects coming from the Philadelphia organization alone: Gavin Floyd, Gio Gonzalez, Zach Segovia, J.A. Happ and Kyle Kendrick. Other notables include Darrell Rasner (Yankees - P), Sean Henn (Yankees - P), Jared Wells (Padres - P) and Stu Pomeranz (Cardinals - P). The Saguaro offense doesn't look anywhere near as high-powered as other AFL teams. Top hitters will likely be last year's AFL MVP, Eric Duncan (Yankees - 3B), Chase Headley (Padres - 3B) and Kory Casto (Nationals - OF/3B). An intriguing prospect is 28-year-old Cuban expatriate Amaury Marti (Cardinals - OF), who may be older than his listed age. Phoenix Desert Dogs The biggest name AND the biggest person on the Desert Dogs roster is right-hander Jeff Niemann (Devil Rays - P), a former first rounder who stands 6'9" and is listed at 260 pounds. Another pitcher to watch is Dustin McGowan (Blue Jays - P), who has bounced between the rotation and the bullpen in the last two years. Former outfield prospect Marcus McBeth (Athletics - P) is rapidly moving up the ladder less than two years after converting to the mound; a strong AFL performance could put him in position to compete for a job in Oakland's bullpen in '07. Travis Buck (Athletics - OF) will be playing just a mile away from the scene of his college glory days; the former Arizona State standout may be one of the best pure hitters in the AFL. Ben Zobrist (Devil Rays - SS) spent the last few months of the regular season as Tampa Bay's starting shortstop after being acquired in a trade with Houston. Heady outfielder Fernando Perez (Devil Rays - OF), a Columbia U. graduate, will be interesting to follow this year after a strong season in the High A California League. Scottsdale Scorpions The big name on the Scottsdale squad is Ryan Braun (Brewers - 3B), who has been on the fast track since being picked by Milwaukee near the top of the 2005 draft. Terry Evans (Angels - OF) and Mark Reynolds (Diamondbacks - SS) both had break-out seasons in 2006. Outfielders Freddie Lewis (Giants - OF) and Jerry Owens (White Sox - OF) will give the Scorpions plenty of speed to burn. Among the pitchers to watch for the Scorpions will be Manny Parra (Brewers - P) and Wes Whisler (White Sox - P), both of whom split the 2006 season between High A and AA. Let the games begin! --- Bill Mitchell 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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