Arizona Fall League
Cindy Liska
Arizona baseball fans have an unique opportunity to see future stars today at the Arizona Fall League.
The league, founded in 1992, showcases top prospects from every team in Major League Baseball. The league is designed to give players the opportunity to refine their skills or make a transition to a new position in an actual game setting in front of scouts and front office personnel.
“The Arizona Fall League has become a great development league not only for players, but also for managers, coaches, trainers, umpires and administrators,” Roland Hemond, architect of the AFL, said.
The Arizona Fall League has seen nine MLB MVPs, including Jason Giambi, Josh Hamilton, Albert Pujols, Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, Jimmy Rollins, Joey Votto, as well as former Arizona State University standout, Dustin Pedroia.
Ryan Howard, who is also included in this elite group, will be inducted into the Arizona Fall League Hall of Fame this season, along with Paul Konerko, currently with the Chicago White Sox.
The league has also been home to three Cy Young winners: Chris Carpenter, two-time winner Roy Halladay, and the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Brandon Webb.
This year’s MLB All-Star Game featured 41 Arizona Fall League alumni, including starting pitchers Jered Weaver of the Los Angeles Angels and Roy Halladay of the Philadelphia Phillies.
“Each club uses minor league coaching and scouting reports to assist in ranking players to decide who should represent their club in the AFL,” Dan Jennings, vice president of player personnel and assistant general manager of the Florida Marlins, said. “Each team is allotted one ‘premium spot,’ that is the player you want to get everyday work in his position.”
This year, for the Washington Nationals, that player is Bryce Harper. Harper was the number one overall draft pick in 2010, drafted as an outfielder rather than his previously predominant position as a catcher. At 17 years of age, he signed a five-year, $9.9 million contract.
Making his second appearance in the AFL, he is working to sharpen his skills as an outfielder with the Scottsdale Scorpions.
“I am using this season to concentrate on tracking balls in the outfield, work out a hamstring injury and get a couple more at bats,” Harper said.
Jaff Decker, San Diego Padres’ left fielder, was born and raised in Peoria and is currently playing with the Peoria Javelinas.
“I grew up going to Javelinas’ games and remember watching players like David DeJesus (2003) with my dad when I was like 12 or 13. Having my dad come to Javelinas’ games and watch me play now instead of the other guys, it’s pretty special”, Decker said.
With the players concentrating on developing specific aspects of their game, coaches and managers also have to take a different approach to their jobs on the field, according to Joe McEwing of the Chicago White Sox’s organization and manager of the Mesa Solar Sox.
“The league is designed for player development, so it’s important to get constant feedback from the organizations, know each player’s positional range, keep the pitchers rotating and ensure that the guys all stay healthy,” McEwing said.
“It is prestigious for everyone connected with the Arizona Fall League to be a participant. Fans come from all parts of the country, as well as Canada, to get to know the up-and-coming stars of Major League Baseball in an intimate and accessible setting,” Roland Hemond said.
Susan Price, a die-hard fan and longtime supporter of the Arizona Fall League and the Arizona Diamondbacks, understands exactly what the league is all about.
“Fall League fans root for and care about the young players, and when they succeed in reaching the big leagues, it is quite rewarding. Diamondbacks’ fans this year scrambled to learn about (Josh) Collmenter, (Bryan) Shaw and (Joe) Paterson. But for Fall League fans, they were already ‘our guys,’ ” Price said.
The season runs only six weeks, from early October through mid November. Games are played Monday through Saturday at six stadiums around the Valley, including Hohokam Stadium in Mesa, Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale, Peoria Sports Complex, Surprise Stadium, Scottsdale Stadium and Phoenix Municipal Stadium. At just $7 for adults, it’s an affordable opportunity to see the cream of the crop before they hit the big leagues. More information, including schedules and rosters, can be found at www.mlbfallball.com.
