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The Arizona Fall League will be commencing its 20th anniversary, a respected finishing school for MLB prospects. It has assembled a roster of the top 24 prospects in the Minor League. Among these top prospects is the Minors stolen base record holder, Billy Hamilton of the Reds. Hamilton, until recently was a shortstop, will be trying the outfield in Arizona.
Changing
positions in the fall league is not an uncommon occurrence. Grant
Green, prospect of the A’s, will be starting his third consecutive season at a
new position playing for the Phoenix Desert Dogs. There may have
been part of Green that wasn't thrilled
to be heading back to Phoenix for the third season in a row, but the pros
outweigh the cons for the 24 year old who hopes to make the A’s 40 man roster
in the off season.
Over the
past few years the number of prospects that have come to the fall league has
grown, players are seeing the opportunity to showcase their skills and really
get them ready for their first full season of pro ball. Even with
the newly added rules such as the earlier signing deadline, which allowed young
players to get out and play, making it less likely for them to attend the
Arizona league.
The
primary objective of the AFL is to hone the skills of these young players and
get them ready for the big league. They are very successful in their
goals, sending a large majority of their alumni to the MLB often in the
following year.
