Minor League Baseball - AFL Starts today

by MightyMoose on Oct 13, 2009 12:04 PM EDT Comment 35 comments

The AFL starts today! This is by far one of the best crops of players that have been sent to the AFL in a number of years, possibly ever.

I'm sure we all would welcome any thoughts/opinions/comments from anyone who is able watch these games live (or on the internet, if available?).

Anyone you guys are really interested in seeing perform? I'm really looking forward to seeing how Strasburg does, as well as how some top prospects fare against some elite competition. Was it Tyler Flowers that dominated in the league last year? He certainly followed-up that success this year.

Post away.

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Flowers

Yes, he had a huge AFL, which tends to be a hitter’s league. Logan Morrison also did very well.

I think Tommy Hanson made the biggest impression last fall, though, pitching so well when the hitters seem to dominate.

by wobatus on Oct 13, 2009 12:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Andrew Bailey put up a ridiculous line that helped vault him into a spot on the A's opening day roster

and perhaps a Rookie of the Year award.

Something like 15 IP, 1 BB, 16 K, 0 HR if I recall rightly.

Linda's in the cold ground, won't see her anymore
Somewhere out on the highway tonight, the drunken engines roar
It's just one of those things, one of those things
-- Al Stewart, "Accident on 3rd St."
In memory of Nick Adenhart and all victims of drunk driving

by PaulThomas on Oct 13, 2009 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bailey

Nice line. I knew so little about him going into the AFL, or even after it.

by wobatus on Oct 13, 2009 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hanson for sure

When the VP of the league said Hanson was the best pitcher he has ever seen in the AFL I think that said it all.

by Braves1983 on Oct 13, 2009 8:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Scheppers

I expect him to fly up the prospect lists after his AFL stint. After all of the “WOW” reports of him during instructs and the provisional instructional league, I would not be surprised to see eye popping numbers from him.

To many people forget that he was considered the #2 arm in the 08 draft until his injury and only behind Strasburg last year in “stuff”.

Either he will excel or his arm will fall off. A lot of his prospect value for next year will be based off of this years AFL showing.

JD’s like, "you want some fucking pitching? Here’s all the pitching you can stand. Now choke on it, bitches!"- RCCook

by laxtonto on Oct 13, 2009 12:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm not expecting much

He has a huge ceiling, but he’s one of the riskiest prospects in baseball. He has barely pitched since the injury and that mostly consisted of up and down Indy outings. If he shows good velocity and comes out healthy, you have to call it a win no matter how he does statistically.

by jar75 on Oct 13, 2009 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, this is the first chance to see Corey Brown and Grant Desme going head to head

Only a small sample of it, unfortunately.

by PaulThomas on Oct 13, 2009 1:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Gonna be interesting as a Cubs fan

1. Can Vitters find a groove (and show more discipline) after being banged up during his time in A+?

2. How will Cashner be deployed? Can his secondary pitches get better/find more consistency? Can he go deeper (if allowed)?

3. John Gaub – is he ready to challenge for a pen role after rolling through the minors last year?

4. Can Blake Parker show a tad more control? If so, the former catcher might have enough stuff to project as a setup type?

5. James Russell – Well, I’m commenting on everyone. Son of Jeff, James hasn’t taken off. IIRC, the breaking pitch didn’t look that sharp this past year.

6. Starlin Castro – He broke out big … is he ready to take the next step? Some tidying up on defense might be the top priority, as the power expectations should come through natural development rather than forcing anything, imo.

by toonsterwu on Oct 13, 2009 2:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

hmm

reading the previews, Welington Castillo is there as well, which I didn’t expect. He needs to tidy up a bit defensively and find more consistency offensively, but still intriguing, imo. I compare him to Bengie Molina moreso than the Yadier Molina comps that are often made.

A lot of the Cubs top talent will be in AFL. A case could be made that the top 3 prospects are there (Although I prefer Jay Jackson over Cashner), and Castillo is an intriguing catcher. The 3 arms could all potentially find roles in the pen next year.

by toonsterwu on Oct 13, 2009 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cashner...

has the higher ceiling, but Jackson’s ceiling isn’t far off and he is a better “pitcher”.

by joegonzo on Oct 14, 2009 8:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Kelly playing SS

I hope at some point he realizes his future isn’t in the infield.

Who loves orange soda?

by Kenan and Kel on Oct 13, 2009 2:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm interested in seeing how Jose Iglesias does.

Brett Anderson is the Truth. Brett Anderson is divine presence. Brett Anderson is eternal life. Brett Anderson is within you. Brett Anderson is here. Brett Anderson is Now.

by Frederick0220 on Oct 13, 2009 2:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

so far so good

haven’t heard much about him, high upside international signing?

by MightyMoose on Oct 13, 2009 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

There's this kid name Stephen Straser

Or something like that that I’ve heard a little bit of hype about recently. Might have the name wrong, but I’m interested to see how he does

by Mets2k9 on Oct 13, 2009 4:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, he's okay.

Brett Anderson is the Truth. Brett Anderson is divine presence. Brett Anderson is eternal life. Brett Anderson is within you. Brett Anderson is here. Brett Anderson is Now.

by Frederick0220 on Oct 13, 2009 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ike Davis hits a grandslam off a lefty

by Bravesin07 on Oct 13, 2009 5:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Andy Oliver

The 2009 Texas Rangers offense: sigh...

by Kinslerhomer on Oct 13, 2009 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

what a day

for Davis. i’m slowly warming up to him.

by MightyMoose on Oct 13, 2009 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is it safe to call him a top prospect at this point?

I mean, minus his struggles from the year he was drafted (which is to be expected for some), this guy has lit it up harder than Jeremy Jeffress (only a stoner could make that joke).

by Mets2k9 on Oct 13, 2009 6:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fittingly

Jeffress has a 4.20 ERA

by Balagast on Oct 13, 2009 6:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

no way

LOL

by daveh33 on Oct 14, 2009 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

that is awesome

baseball rules.

by doublestix on Oct 14, 2009 5:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Single, 2 doubles, and a grand slam

I like it.

by psiogen on Oct 13, 2009 6:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

surprise is going ape shit on peo right now

baseball rules.

by doublestix on Oct 13, 2009 5:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

anyone of interest doing anything?

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Oct 13, 2009 6:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jose Iglesias went 2-4 with a double and a walk.

He’s only 19, received a $6 million signing bonus out of Cuba, and is thought by some to be able to contend for a gold glove at shortstop right now.

Brett Anderson is the Truth. Brett Anderson is divine presence. Brett Anderson is eternal life. Brett Anderson is within you. Brett Anderson is here. Brett Anderson is Now.

by Frederick0220 on Oct 13, 2009 6:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

who's system is he in?

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Oct 13, 2009 7:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Boston

The 2009 Texas Rangers offense: sigh...

by Kinslerhomer on Oct 13, 2009 7:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hope we trade for Stephen Drew,

and then when Iglesias is ready, we can slide to Drew over to 3B.

Drew brothers be bashing in Fenway, baby.

Brett Anderson is the Truth. Brett Anderson is divine presence. Brett Anderson is eternal life. Brett Anderson is within you. Brett Anderson is here. Brett Anderson is Now.

by Frederick0220 on Oct 13, 2009 9:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah well

Matt Wieters can still hit home runs with his mind…sooooo

by Mets2k9 on Oct 13, 2009 7:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mesa OFer Rene Tosoni

went 1-3, 2BB and a Home-run

I think the Twins really like Tosoni a lot.

Deolis Guerra = Daniel Cabrera ?
I tend to think so

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Oct 13, 2009 6:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

x

@keithlaw Mesa is about to bat around against Phoenix. HR today from Tosoni (pop-up, definite Arizona home run) and Chris Marrero (legit).

The 2009 Texas Rangers offense: sigh...

by Kinslerhomer on Oct 13, 2009 7:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Keith Law saying something to deter Twins prospects, why am I not surprised?

good find though kinsler….

Deolis Guerra = Daniel Cabrera ?
I tend to think so

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Oct 14, 2009 2:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If there's one system to pick on...

At this stage of the game, certainly in the bottom tier of systems in the AL. Belong in the same discussion as Ana, Tor, and Det in the battle of the worst.

ProspectTube.com

You Video. You Scout.

by ProspectTube.com on Oct 14, 2009 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs