(Article Courtesty of: http://m.mlb.com/news/article/99771626/afl-fall-stars-game-filled-to-brim-with-talent) SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Make way for the next generation. Several of the best prospects in baseball will collide tonight in the ninth annual Fall Stars Game, the yearly All-Star Game for the Arizona Fall League. This year's active rosters feature 13 players on MLBPipeline.com's Top 100 Prospects list. The game, which starts at 5 p.m. MST/8 p.m. ET, will be broadcast on MLB Network and streamed live on MLB.com. No. 1 overall prospect Byron Buxton was among those selected for the event, but an injury to his left middle finger while diving for a ball Monday will end his AFL stint earlier than expected. The five-tool outfielder was slowed by a concussion and injuries to both of his wrists in 2014, a combination of ailments that limited him to 30 games in the regular season. Despite the loss of Buxton, two fellow members from MLBPipeline.com's Top 10 prospect rankings were among those selected, and there will be seven players from the Top 50. The Fall Stars Game will be played at Salt River Fields this year, ending Surprise Stadium's eight-year run hosting the showcase. Eight of the Top 100 were named to the East roster for the game, including No. 9 overall prospect Archie Bradley. The East team will also have Pirates first baseman Josh Bell (No. 29), Cubs pitcher C.J. Edwards (No. 53), Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo (No. 60), A's shortstop Daniel Robertson (No. 85), Blue Jays outfielder Dalton Pompey (No. 88) and A's first baseman Matt Olson (No. 98). "That's what you want," said Bradley of the talent pool. "You always want to play the best and beat the best. That's what you're going to get in the big leagues, so I think this is a pretty good tuneup. It's a big test for a lot of guys to be able to face power arms and power bats." The West team will be led by Cleveland's Francisco Lindor, rated by MLBPipeline.com as the No. 4 prospect in baseball. Lindor's star-studded collection of teammates will include Corey Seager (No. 13), Jesse Winker (No. 40), D.J. Peterson (No. 49) and Hunter Dozier (No. 86). Lindor, the eighth overall selection in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft, has been playing for the Peoria Javelinas this fall, and he said he's excited to face off against the rest of the league's best. "It's definitely a big honor. I'm happy to be here and I'm excited to be in that game," said Lindor of the Fall Stars Game. "The competition is great. There's a great bunch of players out here, and we all like to compete. I just can't wait to go out there and play with the best out here and just have fun." The Fall Stars Game has traditionally been packed with several players who have gone on to play in the Major Leagues shortly thereafter. The 2013 edition of the game featured 23 players who went on to make the Majors the next season, and between 2009-11, 70 future big leaguers played in the Fall Stars Game. Bradley, picked one spot ahead of Lindor in the 2011 Draft, would love to be a part of that group. "Being in that class of guys is pretty humbling," he said. "That game has been able to springboard a lot of guys' careers and helped them get to the big leagues, so it's obviously encouraging. Especially with what I've been going through: I've started to throw the ball better the last couple outings, so if I can just continue to build on that and go into Spring Training, this will do nothing but benefit me." Lindor, just 20 years old, reached Triple-A for the first time in 2014, and he said the level of talent in the Arizona Fall League is similar to the field of players at the highest level of the Minors. They're just lacking consistency, he said, but each of them is hungry to progress to the higher levels. "I didn't come here to waste my time. I came here to work and I came here to get better," said Lindor of getting to play in the Arizona Fall League. "It's very exciting. I'm one step closer to one of my dreams. And that's not only to play in the Major Leagues, but to be there for a long time." Managers Andy Haines (Marlins) of the East Division-leading Salt River Rafters and Lance Parrish (Tigers) of the West Division-leading Glendale Desert Dogs and their respective coaching staffs earned the right to manage Saturday's Fall Stars Game by having their clubs in first place through the end of play last Saturday. EAST DIVISION Pitchers Christian Bergman, Rockies Archie Bradley, D-backs C.J. Edwards, Cubs Trevor Gott, Angels Brian Ellington, Marlins Nefi Ogando, Phillies Steven Okert, Giants Roberto Osuna, Blue Jays Tyson Perez, Astros Jake Reed, Twins Adrian Sampson, Pirates Catchers Elias Diaz, Pirates Peter O'Brien, D-backs Infielders Josh Bell, Pirates Brandon Drury, D-backs Kaleb Cowart, Angels Matt Olson, A's Tony Renda, Nationals Matt Reynolds, Mets Daniel Robertson, A's Outfielders Byron Buxton, Twins (will not play due to injury) Aaron Judge, Yankees Brandon Nimmo, Mets Dalton Pompey, Blue Jays Roman Quinn, Phillies WEST DIVISION Pitchers Chris Bassitt, White Sox Parker Bridwell, Orioles Tayron Guerrero, Padres Nick Howard, Reds Cody Kendall, Rangers Nick Maronde, Indians Francellis Montas, White Sox Robby Scott, Red Sox Burch Smith, Padres Samuel Tuivailala, Cardinals Tyler Wagner, Brewers Catchers Justin O'Conner, Rays Mike Ohlman, Orioles Infielders Daniel Castro, Braves Hunter Dozier, Royals Patrick Leonard, Rays Francisco Lindor, Indians D.J. Peterson, Mariners Jace Peterson, Padres Corey Seager, Dodgers Outfielders Rusney Castillo, Red Sox Steven Moya, Tigers Hunter Renfroe, Padres Tyrone Taylor, Brewers Jesse Winker, Reds
Indeed, the very same reason I prefer NCAA Football over the NFL, cuz these college kids are beating the crap out of each other, to make a name for themselves. I love watching a college Running Back put his head down and plow thru defenders, when he's near the out of bounds line, whereas a NFL RB would simply tip toe out of bounds, while a hard nosed NCAA RB, will plow for those few extra yards. Roll Tide Roll....!
Judge went 0-2 ..but he is tearing up the league. All indications are--- gulp --- this kid will be here (NY) very soon and and he's going to make alot of noise. lol Can also run well and steal bases. My gosh, what have we here....a MONSTER! lmao Yanks happen to have another big slugger type who may be here see sooner than later. Greg Bird 1b, He also played in the game and hit HR and walked. He has been mentioned in an earlier thread....by me. lol Take a look. ________________________ http://sportstwo.com/threads/272908-...meanwhile-down-on-the-farm... (post 13) Re: ...meanwhile, down on the farm... started by '59 10/23/14 Yanks do have some kids who put up very decent numbers down on the farm. Refsnyder is going to be 24 yrs old when the 2015 season starts- My advice to Cashman/Girardi WHOEVER is: Get him up here before he turns into a minor league journeyman right before our eyes and play him until he proves he CAN'T do it...for crissakes! What the hell are they waiting for? Yanks do have some kids who put up very decent numbers down on the farm. What about this Gregory Bird? Big lefty hitter 21 yrs old -- check out his numbers. A+ AA http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=bird--000gre Eric Jagielo- look at his numbers after they promoted him to A+ Looks like he's right on schedule...I'm really excited about THIS kid. Good lefty swinging 3B playing his games (hopefully) at Yankee Stadium. http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=bird--000gre
Bring them all up, and give 'em a shot, til they prove they can hang with the big boys or not.....what's it gonna' hurt. Bird already looks like he's ready to take 1st base away from The Texan Fly Swatter....will someone have the wherewithal to give Bird and the others a fair shot, beyond ST???? I hope so....Yanx have more talent in the Minors than most BB rags*** let on, IMO.... ***(Baseball Prospetcus)
Long Home Run hit by Yanks prospect Greg Bird. Take a look: http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on...pect-greg-bird-hits-ball-hard-also-far-in-afl
I enjoyed the clip, tho' I watched the entire game. The nice thing about the clip, is it captures the loud whack of Bird's bat, a bit moreso than live during the game. Even the announcers mentioned as much. Now that is cool.... I can't wait to see Bird get a fair shot at 1st, hopefully this ST, I don't see why not, especially with Tex having a Iron Deficiency with his bat (anemic).
