Today, the Chicago Cubs announced that they’re sending eight prospects to the Arizona Fall League, which starts in early October. The prospect-laden league is a proving ground for a variety of players each year, and is host to a ton of the biggest names in the minors. Cubs prospects play for the Mesa Solar Sox.
For the Cubs in 2012, those names are Javier Baez, Matt Szczur, Rubi Silva, Dae-Eun Rhee, Nick Struck, Tony Zych, Kevin Rhoderick, and Zach Rosscup. As I’ve said previously, the Fall League is all about getting a look at guys who didn’t get to play much during the year, are in line for a possible look in the bigs the next year, or who are fringe 40-man guys at risk for being lost in the Rule 5 Draft if they aren’t protected. The list this year is a strong variety of all three of those categories, with Rhee, Rosscup and Struck falling into the ever important third category. Zych and Rhoderick are definitely going to get bullpen consideration next year, and the Cubs probably want to get more looks at Szczur, who they had to put on the 40-man roster last year. Silva is a tweener in his position, so it’s possible the Cubs want to see him play a bit more at second base or in the outfield. As for Baez, well, the Cubs likely just want to see him get some more at bats, particularly after a rain-soaked August in Daytona.
At least one or two of those guys will be on the “taxi squad” in the AFL, so they won’t be eligible to play every day. But if last year is any indication, they’ll still see plenty of action, relatively speaking.
Jorge Soler, you’ll note, will not be headed to the AFL. Given his long layoff between his defection and residency process, I’d be surprised if he didn’t play somewhere this offseason. If he doesn’t head to a Winter League, then he’ll continue to train in Arizona at instructionals for a while, at least.
The Indians have claimed Scott Maine.
Yeah. His news took a backseat to the AFL announcement, and another one I’m writing right now (new Farm Director, Brandon Hyde).
Why did the Cubs DFA Maine anyways? He seems to have more potential than some of the other crappy guys they have picked up lately..
Nice. Was hoping for Soler and Watkins, but should be an interesting AFL season.
Anyone know if there is any other league Soler can play in to get some more game time?
Venezuelan Winter League or Dominican Winter League, depending on what the Cubs want to do with him.
Can Cuban defectors go to Venezuela with Chavez in charge? (Really don’t know this — it wouldn’t surprise me either way.)
You got me. No idea if it’s an issue. I’d have to review some past rosters. I reckon I’ll just wait to see where he winds up, ha.
I wonder why Soler isn’t going? He was the one guy i thought for sure would be heading there..
Is the AFL more or less competitive than the Dominican and Venezuelan leagues? I have always wondered about that.
Thank You
Eh, depends. Not much pitching, typically, in the AFL. Great hitting prospects. But no real vets like those other leagues, which can make it “less competitive” than the VWL or the DWL. So, kind of hard to compare.
Thanks Brett
Hey, look, Baez and Castellanos are going to be teammates. I see a conversation something like this:
“Enjoy playing with you this fall.”
“Me, too.”
“Wish we could keep it up.”
“Yeah, if only Garza’s elbow had stayed attached.”
haha! I noticed that…
Soler would have been a great fit on the Solar Sox. Dang.
Very clever…
[...] case you missed it yesterday, the Cubs have announced the players who will be sent to the prospect heavy Arizona Fall League. As usual, this list is a mix of the expected and the surprising, with the biggest surprise, I [...]
[...] already here for the organization’s top prospects. While some, like top prospect Javier Baez, will head to the prospect-heavy Arizona Fall League, others will be heading to Arizona to participate in instructional [...]
[...] As previously announced, the team includes pitchers Dae-Eun Rhee, Nick Struck, Tony Zych, and Kevin Rhoderick, as well as OF/2B Rubi Silva, OF Matt Szczur … and some shortstop named Javier Baez, who happens to be one of the youngest players in the AFL. The league affords those players one last opportunity to shine, and improve their stock for the next year before a well-earned rest in December. [...]