The Arizona Fall League Kicks Off Today, Features Many Cubs Prospects
Today marks the start of the prospect-rich Arizona Fall League, which will feature a number of Chicago Cubs prospects who are hoping to secure a 40-man roster spot for the Winter, an invitation to Spring Training in 2013, a higher level to start the year in 2013, or just a few more at bats.
The Mesa Solar Sox, the team on whom Cubs players will play, start games today, and play through November 15.
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.
Vine Line broke down Mesa’s roster, which features 38 prospects (including guys like Nick Castellanos, Yasiel Puig, George Springer, Jarred Cosart, and Chris Reed, among others).
You’ll note that Zach Rosscup’s name no longer appears on the roster. Unfortunately continued shoulder troubles apparently scrapped his involvement in the league, and now it’s highly unlikely he’ll be added to the 40-man roster before the Rule 5 Draft (but it’s also harder to see him being selected).
