HNGN wrote a piece in August about the prospects that were named to the 2014 Arizona Fall League. We're now following up on that to update you with the performances of the bright young stars that could be headed to the MLB in 2015.
The Arizona Fall League kicked off on October 8th, and this year 22 of the top 100 prospects are participating in the offseason assignment. The league is only seven games into the 31-game season, but the prospects are picking up right where they left off in the minor leagues. Here's the progress of the top-10 prospects in the AFL.
Byron Buxton, OF, Minnesota Twins
The Twins' top prospect and No. 2 overall prospect in baseball is slashing .280/.357/.320 in his first six games with the Salt River Rafters. He's 7-for-25 with five runs scored, three RBIs, three walks and a stolen base. This is good news after he suffered a concussion in a scary outfield collision in August.
Addison Russell, SS, Chicago Cubs
The Cubs acquired Russell in a trade with the Oakland Athletics this year and hope to further cultivate the 20-year-old so he can eventually join the young and talented Chicago roster. In four games with the Mesa Solar Sox, Russell is 3-for-15 (.200) with two runs scored, two RBIs and a stolen base.
Archie Bradley, SP, Arizona Diamondbacks
Bradley was supposed to be called up to the MLB during the 2014 season, but he was hampered by a significant injury early in the year that set him back months. He started to improve in the minors later in the year, but he's off to a slow start in the AFL with the Salt River Rafters, posting a 7.20 ERA and 2.20 WHIP in two starts (five innings pitched). He'll need to prove himself in his remaining games if he wants to play with the Diamondbacks in 2015.
Corey Seager, SS, Los Angeles Dodgers
Seager, another 20-year-old shortstop, had a magnificent year with the Dodgers Class-A and Double-A affiliates. Through five games with the Glendale Desert Dogs, he's batting .263 with three runs scored, three doubles, a triple, three RBIs and four walks. If the Dodgers don't sign Hanley Ramirez and decide to move Alex Guerrero elsewhere, we could see Seager at shortstop for Los Angeles at some point in 2015.
Tyler Glasnow, SP, Pittsburgh Pirates
The recently-turned 21-year-old Glasnow is playing with the Scottsdale Scorpions in the AFL. In two starts with the team he has thrown 3 2/3 innings and has surrendered just two hits and one earned run (2.45 ERA). However, he has four walks and hit one batter, which brought his WHIP up to 1.64, but the coaches will be sure to focus on his control in his remaining appearances.
Josh Bell, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates
This Pirates young gun is off to a fast start with the Scorpions as well. Despite being listed as an outfielder, he's playing first base and is batting .278 (5-for-18) with two runs scored, two doubles, two RBIs and a stolen base. The 22-year-old had a good year in Class-A and Double-A this season, so his move to first base could have the Pirates thinking they can fill that infield void at some point in 2015.
Raul Mondesi, SS, Kansas City Royals
Mondesi has played only three games with the Peoria Javelinas and has only two hits in his first 12 at-bats. He's recorded a single and a double, but has also struck out five times, which is a cause for concern since he's had so few plate appearances. However, this is no surprise because he batted just .211 and struck out 122 times in 110 games with the Royals' Class-A affiliate this season.
Jesse Winker, OF, Cincinnati Reds
The 21-year-old Winker has absolutely dominated in 15 at-bats with the Surprise Saguaros. In just four games, the left fielder is batting .333 (5-for-15) with one home run and seven RBIs. He also has a .450 on-base percentage, .667 slugging percentage, and a 1.117 OPS. It looks like he's rebounding from his end-of-the-year stint with Double-A Pensacola, during which he batted just .208 with two home runs and eight RBIs in 21 games.
Mark Appel, SP, Houston Astros
Appel was the No. 1 overall selection in the 2013 MLB June Amateur Draft. And how fitting, because he's the best pitcher in the AFL right now, boasting a 0.00 ERA in two starts. He's tossed seven innings and has given up just two hits and three walks while striking out eight with the Salt River Rafters. Don't be surprised if we see Appel with the Astros later in 2015.
D.J. Peterson, 3B, Seattle Mariners
In three games with the Surprise Saguaros, the power-hitting Peterson is off to a slow start, but that should change. The 22-year-old is just 3-for-13 (.231) with one run scored and one RBI. However, he has drawn four walks, so give him a little more time before his power numbers start to show up. He smacked 31 home runs and 111 RBIs this year in the minors, so the Mariners are hoping to see more of that.
Check out more AFL stats for batters and pitchers on the official league website.
