The Arizona Fall League – a post-regular-season league for minor leaguers, noteworthy for typically hosting several top prospects – kicks off today in, um, well, Arizona. This year, the Cubs will send several of their brightest, including the clear cut top three prospects in the system. Those three:
Shortstop Starlin Castro rocketed up the prospect charts after a sparkling year spent partially in High A Dayton and AA Tennessee. Castro, 19, was signed as a free agent out of the Dominican Republic. Not only did Castro play solid defense, but he also put up a solid .299 / .342 / .392 line while being, on average, three years younger than his competition.
The Cubs’ first round pick last year, Andrew Cashner also had an excellent minor league season – a combined 2.60 ERA between High A Daytona and AA Tennessee, and holding opposing hitters to a batter average that barely surpassed .200. He continues to transition into the starter role with the Cubs after a tremendous closer career with the TCU Horned Frogs.
Josh Vitters has been considered the Cubs’ top prospect since they took him in the first round and third overall in the 2007 draft. Vitters tore up A ball before being promoted to High A Daytona, and then struggling with a wrist injury. Hopefully he’ll get his swing back on track in the AFL.
Also playing the AFL for the Mesa Solar Sox are the following Cubs prospects: reliever John Gaub (part of the Mark DeRosa trade), AAA Iowa closer Blake Parker, starter James Russell, and scuffling catcher Welington Castillo.