The MLB released the preliminary rosters for the 2015 Arizona Fall League on Tuesday. Philadelphia Phillies top prospect J.P. Crawford headlines this year's event while a number of others will compete amongst the best the minor leagues have to offer.
The Glendale Desert Dogs, Mesa Solar Sox, Peoria Javelinas, Salt River Rafters, Scottsdale Scorpions and Surprise Saguaros will begin the short 30-game season on Oct. 13. You can check out the rosters on BaseballAmerica.com as we comb through this year's top talent at the Arizona Fall League.
J.P. Crawford, SS, Philadelphia Phillies
Crawford, 20, is the Phillies top prospect (and No. 5 in the MLB) even after the team acquired most of the top youngsters in the Texas Rangers' farm system in the Cole Hamels trade. After tearing up Class-A Advanced Clearwater for 21 games (.392/.489/.443 with 15 runs scored, 1 home run, 8 RBIs and 5 stolen bases), he was promoted to Double-A Reading where he is currently batting .272/.361/.420 with 52 runs scored, 5 home runs, 33 RBIs and 7 stolen bases in 81 games.
Crawford will be the star of the Glendale Desert Dogs, who also boast Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Austin Meadows and Houston Astros prospect A.J. Reed.
Alex Reyes, SP, St. Louis Cardinals
The 21-year-old Reyes has been recognized as the Cardinals' top prospect after Baseball America unveiled their midseason prospect update. Although he missed some time this year due to a shoulder injury, the right-hander owns a 2.53 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and an astonishing 146 strikeouts in 21 starts (96 innings) between three levels of the minors. He's currently pitching at Double-A Springfield.
He's the MLB's No. 18 overall prospect and will be the staff ace for the Surprise Saguaros.
Austin Meadows, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates
Meadows is the next highest prospect out of those heading to the AFL (25th in MLB), but he's third in the Pirates' organization behind RHP Tyler Glasnow and 1B Josh Bell. The 20-year-old has spent the entire season at Class-A Advanced Bradenton where he is batting .307/.357/.407 with 72 runs scored, 7 home runs, 54 RBIs and 20 stolen bases in 121 games.
Scouts have raved about his plate discipline, and he'll surely be put to the test when he steps into the batter's box for the Desert Dogs.
Bradley Zimmer, OF, Cleveland Indians
Zimmer, 22, is the Indians' top prospect and No. 29 in the MLB. The former 2014 first-round draft pick is building off of his successful professional debut season and is batting .286/.382/.469 with 84 runs scored, 16 home runs, 63 RBIs and 43 stolen bases in 121 games between Class-A Advanced Lynchburg and Double-A Akron. The outfielder made the Carolina League all-star team and was a member of Team USA for the 2015 Futures Game.
Zimmer will headline the Scottsdale Scorpions' roster.
Brett Phillips, OF, Milwaukee Brewers
The 21-year-old Phillips was drafted out of high school back in 2012 and was part of the trade that sent Carlos Gomez to the Houston Astros. He immediately became the Brewers' No. 2 overall prospect (No. 35 in the MLB) behind shortstop Orlando Arcia even though he's still working on the transition to his new team.
Since joining Milwaukee, he's batting just .250/.361/.413 with 14 runs scored, 6 RBIs and 2 stolen bases in 23 games. However, he's slashing .309/.374/.527 with 104 runs scored, 16 home runs, 77 RBIs and 17 stolen bases in 120 games between Class-A Advanced Lancaster, Double-A Corpus Christi and Double-A Biloxi.
He'll be one of the top bats on the Surprise Saguaros.
Other prospects in the top 100 that will participate in this year's AFL will be Clint Frazier (CLE), Lewis Brinson (TEX), Daniel Robertson (TB) and A.J. Reed (HOU).
