We’d already heard that top prospects Jorge Soler and Albert Almora would be heading to Mesa this Fall for the Arizona Fall League, and that was plenty to set everyone’s prospecting heart atwitter.
But today the rosters were released, and the Cubs’ contingent will also include both of Javier Baez and Kris Bryant.
*Commence meltdown.*
Having each of the Cubs’ top four prospects in the AFL is not only very exciting, but it’s telling that the Cubs are ready and willing to challenge each of the four with the AFL. Baez is the only one who’s been there before, but it was for just a couple weeks last year (his appearance ended early with an injury). Each is relatively young for the prospect-heavy league.
Almora is technically on the taxi squad, which means he won’t play as much as the other three, which is understandable. At just 19, he’s very young for league.
Also coming to the league from the Cubs are Arodys Vizcaino (recovering from an elbow procedure, which itself came as he was recovering from Tommy John surgery), Matt Loosen (Rule 5 eligible), Dallas Beeler (Rule 5 eligible), and Armando Rivero (big-time Cuban reliever who’s been flying up the ranks this year).
I’ll soon have more on each of the prospects in the league, including the reasons for their inclusion and analysis of what the Cubs will be looking for.
The Cubs’ prospects will play on the Mesa Solar Sox, a team that will also feature players from the Detroit Tigers, the Los Angeles Angels, the Oakland Athletics, and the Washington Nationals.
The AFL season kicks off on October 8, and concludes with a championship on November 16. It’s a healthily long season, and plenty of time to enjoy both baseball and prospects (especially if your big team is at home in October). Every AFL season is fun to follow, but this one will be over the moon.