2011 Arizona Fall League Roster Review: Mesa Solar Sox

by John Sickels on Sep 1, 2011 3:10 PM EDT

Chicago Cubs pitching prospect Trey McNutt (Photo by Ezra Shaw, Getty Images)

Arizona Fall League Roster Review: Mesa Solar Sox

Major League Baseball announced the preliminary rosters for the Arizona Fall League this week. Let's review the key prospects on each team, beginning with the Mesa Solar Sox.

Mesa is stocked with players from the Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Minnesota Twins, and Pittsburgh Pirates organizations. Here are important players to watch. You can find the complete roster here.

MESA SOLAR SOX ROSTER REVIEW

PITCHERS

Jeff Beliveau, LHP, Cubs: Holding lefties to a .154 mark in Double-A this year. The 24-year-old southpaw out of Florida Atlantic has an 89/19 K/BB in 72 relief innings with a 1.38 ERA, and could find a slot in the Cubs bullpen in 2012.

Chris Carpenter, RHP, Cubs: Bedeviled with control problems (22 walks in 29 Triple-A innings), but has plus stuff. Like Beliveau, he could find a role in the Chicago pen and a strong AFL showing will increase his chances. Age 25.

Terry Doyle, RHP, White Sox: 3.05 ERA between High-A and Double-A, with a 116/32 K/BB in 165 innings, 156 hits combined. Throws strikes with average stuff, has exceeded expectations for a 38^th round pick (Boston College, 2008). Age 25.

Trey McNutt, RHP, Cubs: Entered season as top prospect but has scuffled in Double-A, 4.35 ERA with 63/34 K/BB in 91 innings, 114 hits, struggling with blister problems. Needs to right the ship here and regroup for next year. Age 22.

Chorye Spoone, RHP, Orioles: Curveball artist with injury history, but some scouts consider him a sleeper. 3.99 ERA with 62/39 K/BB in 86 innings in Double-A, but has pitched better when used in the bullpen, likely his major league role. Turns 26 this month.

INFIELDERS

Brian Dozier, SS, Twins: Hitting .314/.381/.498 in 287 at-bats in Double-A, hit .322/.423/.472 in 180 at-bats in High-A before his promotion. Has also stolen 24 bases. Defense is solid enough and his bat looks very good right now, a significant sleeper prospect who should see Minnesota next year. Age 24.

Junior Lake, SS, Cubs: Hit .315/.336/.498 in High-A (203 at-bats), then .253/.303/.382 in Double-A (225 at-bats). Struggles with strike zone judgment but has good tools, 36 steals this year and power potential. 33 errors at shortstop, but just 21 years old.

Joe Mahoney, 1B, Orioles: Hitting .283/.343/.492 with 10 homers, 25 walks, 82 strikeouts in 297 at-bats in Double-A. Big guy with plus left-side power, but strikes out a lot and is already 24 years old. Needs to make noise here to stay on the radar given age and position.

Tyler Saladino, SS, White Sox: Hitting .270/.363/.500 with 16 homers, 49 walks, 86 strikeouts in 378 at-bats in High-A. Impressive power for a shortstop and could stick at the position. Another sleeper who could take a big step forward here. Age 22.

OUTFIELDERS

Xavier Avery, OF, Orioles: Hitting .262/.324/.349 with 35 steals, 45 walks, 149 strikeouts in 538 at-bats in Double-A. Fast, good tools, but still very raw as a hitter. Still has time to improve at age 21.

Robbie Grossman, OF, Pirates: Hitting .299/.424/.459 with 103 walks, 107 strikeouts, 24 steals in 479 at-bats in High-A. Breakout player with moderate power, very high walk rate, and good speed. Turns 22 this month.

Aaron Hicks, OF, Twins: Hitting .234/.347/.355 with 75 walks, 17 steals, 109 strikeouts in 431 at-bats in High-A. Still has impressive tools and will take walks, but power hasn't developed and he has not turned into the player scouts expected. Turns 22 next month.

Brandon Short, OF, White Sox: Another toolsy outfielder, hitting .264/.321/.409 with 13 homers, 21 steals, 36 walks, 120 strikeouts in 511 at-bats in Double-A. Held back by pitch recognition problems, turns 23 this month.

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Comments

Marcus Hatley

Seems to be some mixed reports on who might be headed there for the Cubs. Originally, some of the talk suggested Cashner, but it seems like Hatley is being listed now. He’s an intriguing sleeper. After going through TJ, it’s taken awhile for him to get back his stuff, but he’s got mid-90’s heat with a hard slider. He’s eligible for Rule 5, and it’s debatable if the Cubs protect him. That said, sending him on a valuable AFL trip is often an indicator, but of course, there’s a new regime coming in, so a lot is unknown.

The other two Cubs that are supposedly heading there are Brett Jackson and DJ LeMahieu.

by toonsterwu on Sep 1, 2011 3:26 PM EDT reply actions

looks like Brett Jackson isn't going anymore

Carrie Muskat says he has other committments. Josh Vitters is going instead, and he’s being listed as an OF.

by toonsterwu on Sep 2, 2011 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions

intriguing

I wonder what those other commitments are . . .it’s typically not a great idea for a player to decline an invitation.

As for Vitters, I’m very interested to see how he’ll do. He’s had a nice year and he’s still so young. I wonder if moving him to another position and taking some of those concerns off of him will set his bat off.

by mrkupe on Sep 2, 2011 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions

I've already forgotten where I read it (20 minutes ago)

But it was speculated that Jackson might be trying out for the Pan Am Games team.

by Ryno1984 on Sep 2, 2011 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions

The Mesa roster

stood out as having the least star power, but Hicks, Saladino, Lake and Grossman are defintiely gusy to watch. I especially like the MIFs (Lake and Saladino).

by blackoutyears on Sep 1, 2011 3:29 PM EDT reply actions

Wow - Orioles, Cubs, White Sox, Pirates and Twins

The White Sox are the only team with a winning record (68-66) and their combined record is 300-377 (.443). I know that doesn’t say anything about their minor league systems, but talk about a group of organizations in a world of hurt at the moment.

by d_c_guy on Sep 1, 2011 3:52 PM EDT reply actions

After Hicks and Saladino I'd say the Cubs are putting the most interesting prospects on this team.

A big thing about this year is that I confirmed for myself that Trey McNutt does exist. There’s even a whole one pitch (the Ha diving catch) of him on Youtube!

by SenorGato on Sep 1, 2011 9:48 PM EDT reply actions

I'm not nearly as down on McNutt as some folks are

but then again, I also do think he was a bit overhyped at the end of last year. That said, the change is improved, and I saw the flashes of plus fast/breaking ball are still there. Problem was, due to injuries or other reasons, the consistency never came around. More than anything, he simply needs to log innings in Arizona to make up for what he missed this year.

by toonsterwu on Sep 1, 2011 9:51 PM EDT up reply actions

I firmly believe that one of he or Cashner will be excellent.

It’s just a matter of which one.

by SenorGato on Sep 1, 2011 10:42 PM EDT up reply actions

try MiLB.tv

Lots of McNutt starts on there.

by mrkupe on Sep 2, 2011 1:23 AM EDT up reply actions

Locals expect the Pirates to send Cole to the AFL

I’d not be overly surprised if the Pirates also sent Starling Marte, Jordy Mercer or Matt Curry to the AFL. Tony Sanchez might return for another go because of his disappointing 2011 season. Cole and Marte would be the players most would want to watch — Cole because he was a #1 pick and Marte because he’s a toolsy player having a breakout season.

s.zielinski

by steve_z on Sep 1, 2011 10:36 PM EDT reply actions