Prospect Insider - Arizona Fall League 2011

Arizona Fall League 2011

By Jason A. Churchill

By 10-03-2011

The Arizona Fall League means very little in terms of statistics, performance and certainly not game results. It's a place for young players to work on things, jump start their pro careers, face tougher competition and a place for the simple repetition factor.

That doesn't mean it's not fun, however, and it is certainly a place to see a lot of good young players in one place. I won't be making the trip as I have too many other projects going on right now, but I will be checking in with scouts.

The Seattle Mariners have seven representatives, four of them pitchers in right-handers Steven Hensley and Forrest Snow and lefties Brian Moran and Danny Hultzen.

Hultzen has been throwing down in co-op and instructs, and by all accounts looks pretty good with his entire repertoire. The M's first-round pick and No. 2 overall will start Friday for the Peoria Javelinas in his first start as a professional. He's not likely to go more than two or three ininngs, but that workload should build up a bit in future starts.

I've said for three years that I think Hensley has the stuff to pitch in the 6th or 7th inning in the big leagues, and he'll get a shot to show that against some decent competition in front of the brass of several organizations every time out there.

If he's not an option in Seattle, he could have value to another club. In relief, Hensley can sit 91-93 with arm side ride, and his slider has flashed as an out pitch in the past.

Moran is a situational left-hander but he struggled versus left-handed bats this season (.348 BAA) and was tough on right-handers. He creates an angle with his arm slot, so there is a chance he's a big league arm despite fringy velocity.

Snow will also pitch out of the bullpen, which is where his future likely lies, anyway. He can sit 91-95 mph with his fastball in shorter stints, and his changeup is an above-average offering. The former UW right-hander is working on developing a cutter,, but that just started late this season and it's still in its developmental infancy. It will be interesting to see whether or not he uses it in the fall league.

The Mariners also have catcher Adam Moore, shortstop Nick Franklin and outfielder Chih-Hsien Chiang in Peoria. Franklin will share time at shortstop with Cardinals prospect Ryan Jackson, but could see time at second base, too.

Moore, who missed the season with a knee injury, recently caught nine innings in Peoria to set him up for the AFL season. He's been working out, swinging, catching and throwing in Arizona for several weeks. The M's would like Moore to be the backup catcher in 2012 -- that was the plan for 2011 until the injury.

If you are headed down to Arizona to catch some games, here are some other players to watch for, on and off the Javelinas roster.

Jaff Decker (Padres) is a solid bet to contribute offensively and is a big league player, keep an eye on him. Another Padres' prospect in the roster is Jedd Gyorko, who can flat out hit and will be a big league regular if he settles in at a defensive position -- possibly third base.

Brewers right-hander Tyler Thornburg is certainly an arm to watch for the Javelinas.

Mesa's roster is not without of intrigue, including No. 1 overall pick Gerrit Cole of the Pittsurgh Pirates. Minnesota Twins prospect Aaron Hicks will showcase his skills and Cubs prospect Josh Vitters will start his transition to the outfield after playing third base up through the end of this season. Vitters has a pretty right-hander swing but his on-base skills leave a lot to be desired.

Phoenix's roster includes A's prospect Grant Green, who moved to center field from shortstop during the 2011 season and will continue his outfield work in the AFL. He could see the big leagues in 2012. Joining Green is A's teammate Michael Choice, who has big power, and Reds switch-hitting catcher Yasmani Grandal -- who could be trade bait this winter.

Salt River may have the most interest group of talents, including Colorado third baseman Nolan Arenado and outfielder Tim Wheeler, Detroit Tigers catcher Rob Brantly and left-handers Andrew Oliver and Casey Crosby.

Scottsdale boasts catchers Derek Norris of the Nationals and Hank Conger of the Angels and their infield is loaded. Boston's Will Middlebrooks, San Francisco's Brandon Crawford and Joe Panik and Conger's teammate Jean Segura lead that crop.

Both Mike Trout and Bryce Harper will play outfield for Scottsdale. Yeah, really.

Kansas City's Wil Myers and Tampa's Tim Beckham and Mikie Mahtook highlight the Surprise roster. Mahtook, a centerfielder, was a first-round pick. Beckham was the No. 1 overall pick in 2008. Myers is a former catcher.

arizona-fall-league-2011

Comments
The following 11 comment(s) for this article are shown below:

1. By: Lailoken on 10-03-2011 18:56:34
Gandal would sure look good in Mariners blue. Maybe the Reds would be interested in League to replace Cordero or Seager to replace Phillips.

2. By: Jason A. Churchill on 10-03-2011 19:06:10
Not in exchange for Grandal. Relievers are the easiest to find.

3. By: Missthosepilots on 10-03-2011 23:54:00
Thanks Jason. Last year's AFL was pretty exciting to see Ackley demonstrate just how good he might be.

4. By: rjfrik on 10-04-2011 11:51:33
I really hope this is what the doctor ordered for Franklin. I feel like last year was the lost year for him because of concussion and illness. I think this gives him the chance to hit the round running again, get back into form and start off in AA or AAA next year ready to continue his growth. He is, as of now and if he develops, a vital cog for the future of the M's.

Also I think many are going to be very surprised how good Hultzen is.

5. By: maqman on 10-04-2011 12:46:31
The fall and winter leagues sure help ameliorate the off-season blues. Hopefully we'll get some hints on what some of our players have to offer going forward. If Hultzen's first pro outing is as good as his last college game that would be special.

6. By: Jason A. Churchill on 10-04-2011 15:19:06
For Hultzen to surprise me, he'd have to be Matt Moore, and he just isn't.

As for Franklin, his year was far from a lost season. he played, he went through spring training, he handled a promotion. This is indeed a good way for him to catch up a bit, though.

Missthosepilots,

Ackley's AFL time was 2009, but yes, he was terrific. I saw him play center field because second base hadn't been broached with him yet.

7. By: Edman on 10-04-2011 19:05:44
Didn't Ackley play secondbase in the AFL last season? I thought for sure I saw a couple games that he did. I'm old, so I can't depend on my memory.

8. By: Missthosepilots on 10-04-2011 21:34:10
I just lost what I had written when submitting. My mind is lost too Edman. I checked, and unless I can no longer read (good possibility), Ackley dominated the AFL last fall at .424. That is also when Tenbrink and Lueke both were solid. As I have lost my mind....did Tenbrink lose his bat?

9. By: Missthosepilots on 10-04-2011 21:36:08
Edman, I have lost my mind but I think you are right. Jason, time flies but, unless I checked wrong, last season had Ackley listed at .424 in 2010???? Tenbrink and Lueke also did well last Fall. I might have lost my mind but did Tenbrink this year lose his bat?

10. By: Missthosepilots on 10-04-2011 21:42:52
Sorry for the double post. Long day! Terrific indeed! Ackley hit .315 in 2009. And the .424 in 2010 had the OBP of .581.

11. By: JonathanAicardi on 10-07-2011 17:00:07
Hultzen 90-93, touching 94. 42 pitches, 26 strikes, 5 swinging and 1 foul tip. 2 K's, 3 ground balls, 2 liners and a pop-up that landed for a double. Not bad.

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