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2006 AFL preview Arizona Fall League rosters are out and this year's group of prospects includes Luke Hochevar, Neil Walker, Troy Tulowitzki, Scott Elbert, Travis Buck, Yunel Escobar, Wes Bankston …… the list goes on and on. MLB’s premier development league will start up this season on the 10th of October when the Grand Canyon Rafters and Peoria Javelinas square off at Peoria Sports Complex. Last year the league produced National League All Star second baseman Dan Uggla, who came into the season an unheralded member of the Arizona Diamondbacks and played his way into a Rule V sensation with the Florida Marlins. Uggla stood out last year as one of the top players on the field. He translated his chance into a starting berth on the NL All Star squad this season. Without a doubt, he showcased his skills on the desert ball fields in front of numerous major league scouts who had to leave impressed with him. Adam Loewen dominated the AFL hitters, and this year is starting to establish himself as a member of the Orioles starting rotation. Nick Markakis fine tuned his skills and is the starting right fielder for the Orioles and a serious Rookie Of The Year candidate. Brandon Fahey forced the Orioles to put him on their 40-man roster with his play in the AFL. Stephen Drew and Alex Gordon showcased their skills last year. Brandon Wood broke the AFL season record for home runs held previously by Tagg Bozied. Lastings Milledge was tossed from a game in Surprise when he continued to argue a disputed call after taking the field. James Loney came off the bench to break up a no-hitter with a pinch hit home run (the fan in front of me called the shot) in the top of the ninth with two outs in Peoria. Andre Ethier showed all why his performance with the Dodgers this year should have been expected. Ethier not only showed his playing prowess, but he was a class guy with the fans all the way I have never before seen anyone take their time signing autograph after autograph making certain that his signature was nice, clear and legible. Jamie Shields was one of the best pitchers in the AFL and he made it all the way from Durham to Tampa Bay this year. I watched him throw two innings against the Ottawa Lynx in his tune-up before going to the majors and saw him dominate all six Lynx hitters he faced. Attendance was up all over the league. Even Oriole fans had something to cheer about last year. Instead of having to endure Tim Raines, Jr., Jason Lakman and others, last years group of Baby Birds made me proud to wear my Orioles cap. Markakis and Loewen made the All Star team, the first since Brad Pennington turned the trick in 1992. This year’s group of Orioles has lots of promise. Nolan Reimold will try to replicate Markakis’ success and shortcut to Camden Yards. Major League veteran Jeff Fiorentino will try to hone his skills so he can contend for a spot in the Orioles outfield next year and Brian Finch will try to accelerate his career. If they contribute like last year's group did, I will be most pleased. Fernando Martinez, Kevin Slowey, Jeff Niemann, Chip Cannon (maybe he can break Woods' home run record), Joey Devine…..I can hardly wait. --- John
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