Fantasy Sports Update!

Raising Arizona

The search for keepers begins with the prospect-rich Arizona Fall League

By ELIAS N. CONSTANTINE II

POSTED 1-8-07

The Arizona Fall League is a gathering of some of the best young prospects in baseball. The league has been around since 1992 and has served as a stepping-stone for many big leaguers.

There are no qualifications to play in the league, which wrapped up Nov. 15, 2006, other than an innate desire to improve their skills and soon make a big league roster. And for some of these hard workers, 2007 will be the year. Their journey ran through the AFL, where the Phoenix Desert Dogs were crowned league champions for the third straight year.

It comes as no shocker that the Desert Dogs also boasted the league MVP. Chip Cannon, a Toronto Blue Jays first base prospect, led the league in almost every offensive category. He just missed out on becoming the league's first Triple Crown winner, by finishing fourth with a .352 batting average.

Toronto and the Desert Dogs also claimed the AFL's most dominant starting pitcher. Kyle Yates led the league with 25 strikeouts and a 1.13 ERA in 24 innings. Yates held the opposition to a .224 batting average and controlled the pace of the game with his 4.17 K/BB ratio.

The Dogs had another dynamic young pitcher. Virgil Vasquez, who hails from the rich Detroit Tigers farm system, proved to be very effective with a 0.86 WHIP and .183 opponent's batting average. But, of all the stars on the Desert Dogs, Tampa Bay shortstop Ben Zobrist may be the only one invited to Spring Training.

AFL PROSPECT WATCH
Here's a look at five Arizona Fall League prospects that have a realistic shot at earning a Major League roster spot this season:

GAVIN FLOYD
Pitcher, Chicago White Sox (Charlotte Knights)
2006 Minors: 7-4, 4.23 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 85 SO, 115 IP
AFL Snapshot: Floyd finished with a 5.59 ERA with 14 strikeouts and a 1.42 WHIP in 6 starts for the Peoria Saguaros.
Comments: Floyd was traded from the Phillies in a deal that brought him to the South Side of Chicago in exchange for Freddy Garcia. It not only was a move that made sense financially for the White Sox (Garcia is in the last year of a contract and due almost $10 million this season), but it tells how they feel about Floyd's future. He sports a mid 90's fastball and a silly hook. He did pitch 54.1 innings for the Phillies last year, but posted an inflated 7.29 ERA. There is no question he is talented, but moving to the American League, in an offensive park, will have an adverse effect. Right now it looks like he is penciled in as the fifth starter, but follow his Spring Training. He is sure to finish the season in the Majors, even if he doesn't start there.

KEVIN KOUZMANOFF
Third Baseman, San Diego Padres (Portland Beavers)
2006 Minors: .379 AVG, 22 HR, 75 RBI, 1.093 OPS, 346 AB
AFL Snapshot: Kouzmanoff batted .382 with 2 HR and 10 RBI in 15 games while playing for the Peoria Javelinas in the Arizona Fall League. He was named an AFL Rising Star and made the AFL All-Prospect team.
Comments: Kouzmanoff came to the Padres in a deal that sent Josh Barfield to Cleveland. Though he did enjoy a cup of coffee in the big leagues last season, he only hit .214 in 56 at bats with the Indians. The deal was necessary for the Padres, as they need some power in the middle of their lineup. Kouzmanoff will be invited to Spring Training with the hopes that he will win the everyday job at third base. He could hit fifth or sixth by the end of the season, although the Padres are most likely to bring him along slowly and ease the pressure on the rookie. Kouzmanoff possesses the potential to hit 30 homers, but that will be tough playing at the spacious Petco Park. Expect him to hit around .280 with a lot of doubles and about 15-20 home runs, as long as he get 500 at bats.

MIKE PELFREY
Pitcher, New York Mets (New Orleans Zephyrs)
2006 Minors: 7-3, 2.43 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 109 SO, 96.1 IP
AFL Snapshot: Pelfrey started just one game. He gave up 1 hit, while walking 2 and striking out 2 in 4 scoreless innings for the Mesa Solar Sox.
Comments: The Mets are in dire need of some solid starting pitching. Tom Glavine will open the season as their No. 1 starter with Pedro Martinez missing most, if not all of the 2007 season due to shoulder surgery. And after El Duque, they don't seem to have a starter in the rotation over the age of 25. The opportunity is there for Pelfrey to open the season in Flushing at the No. 5 starter. He did pitch 21.1 big-league innings with an 5.48 ERA last season. What's impressive, though, is his 10.08 K/9 ratio he posted last season between Double A and Triple A. If he can find that kind of success in the Majors, there is no doubt the future is very bright for this 23-year-old phenom.

TROY TULOWITZKI
Shortstop, Colorado Rockies (Colorado Springs Sky Sox)
2006 Minors: .291 AVG, 13 HR, 61 RBI, 6 SB, 423 AB
AFL Snapshot: Tulowitzki batted .329 with 1 HR and 10 RBI in 22 games while playing for the Grand Canyon Rafters in the Arizona Fall League. He was named an AFL Rising Star and made the AFL All-Prospect team.
Comments: Tulowitzki got his first shot at The Show late last season, when Clint Barmes went through a sophomore slump. Tulowitzki posted a .240 average in 96 at bats. The Rockies are not sure where Barmes will play this year, but it doesn't look like it will be shortstop. They traded for Kaz Matsui to play second base. That means there is a good chance that the Rockies will trade Barmes, clearing the way for 6-3, 205-pound Tulowitzki to be the everyday shortstop. Colorado is high on the 22-year-old, and he possesses the size and skill to develop into a heavy hitter. That kind of power is highly coveted at short. So for those of you drafting in keeper leagues, this is the kind of player you want to get and hang onto.

BEN ZOBRIST
Shortstop, Tampa Bay Devil Rays (Durham Bulls)
2006 Minors: .323 AVG, 3 HR, 36 RBI, 13 SB, 384 AB
AFL Snapshot: Zobrist finished third in the Arizona Fall League with a .366 batting average, 2 HR and 21 RBI in 27 games for the Phoenix Desert Dogs. He was named to the AFL All-Prospect team.
Comments: Zobrist became a Devil Ray when he was traded in a package from Houston for Aubrey Huff near the deadline last season. It proved to be a great move for Tampa Bay, as it allowed them to trade Julio Lugo to Dodgers, and not have to stick B.J. Upton in the hole at short. Upton, though very talented offensively, has had his troubles in the field. Zobrist is a very good fielder, has been masterful with his bat (a career.321 hitter in 279 minor league games) and has a bit of speed. Because he walks more than he strikes out, he will make an ideal leadoff hitter. If given the job, with that lineup hitting behind him, he could easily score 100 runs. Expect a high average and 20-plus stolen bases to boot.

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Raising Arizona

The search for keepers begins with the prospect-rich Arizona Fall League

By ELIAS N. CONSTANTINE II

POSTED 1-8-07

The Arizona Fall League is a gathering of some of the best young prospects in baseball. The league has been around since 1992 and has served as a stepping-stone for many big leaguers.

There are no qualifications to play in the league, which wrapped up Nov. 15, 2006, other than an innate desire to improve their skills and soon make a big league roster. And for some of these hard workers, 2007 will be the year. Their journey ran through the AFL, where the Phoenix Desert Dogs were crowned league champions for the third straight year.

It comes as no shocker that the Desert Dogs also boasted the league MVP. Chip Cannon, a Toronto Blue Jays first base prospect, led the league in almost every offensive category. He just missed out on becoming the league's first Triple Crown winner, by finishing fourth with a .352 batting average.

Toronto and the Desert Dogs also claimed the AFL's most dominant starting pitcher. Kyle Yates led the league with 25 strikeouts and a 1.13 ERA in 24 innings. Yates held the opposition to a .224 batting average and controlled the pace of the game with his 4.17 K/BB ratio.

The Dogs had another dynamic young pitcher. Virgil Vasquez, who hails from the rich Detroit Tigers farm system, proved to be very effective with a 0.86 WHIP and .183 opponent's batting average. But, of all the stars on the Desert Dogs, Tampa Bay shortstop Ben Zobrist may be the only one invited to Spring Training.

AFL PROSPECT WATCH

Here's a look at five Arizona Fall League prospects that have a realistic shot at earning a Major League roster spot this season:

GAVIN FLOYD

Pitcher, Chicago White Sox (Charlotte Knights)
2006 Minors: 7-4, 4.23 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 85 SO, 115 IP
AFL Snapshot: Floyd finished with a 5.59 ERA with 14 strikeouts and a 1.42 WHIP in 6 starts for the Peoria Saguaros.
Comments: Floyd was traded from the Phillies in a deal that brought him to the South Side of Chicago in exchange for Freddy Garcia. It not only was a move that made sense financially for the White Sox (Garcia is in the last year of a contract and due almost $10 million this season), but it tells how they feel about Floyd's future. He sports a mid 90's fastball and a silly hook. He did pitch 54.1 innings for the Phillies last year, but posted an inflated 7.29 ERA. There is no question he is talented, but moving to the American League, in an offensive park, will have an adverse effect. Right now it looks like he is penciled in as the fifth starter, but follow his Spring Training. He is sure to finish the season in the Majors, even if he doesn't start there.

KEVIN KOUZMANOFF

Third Baseman, San Diego Padres (Portland Beavers)
2006 Minors: .379 AVG, 22 HR, 75 RBI, 1.093 OPS, 346 AB
AFL Snapshot: Kouzmanoff batted .382 with 2 HR and 10 RBI in 15 games while playing for the Peoria Javelinas in the Arizona Fall League. He was named an AFL Rising Star and made the AFL All-Prospect team.
Comments: Kouzmanoff came to the Padres in a deal that sent Josh Barfield to Cleveland. Though he did enjoy a cup of coffee in the big leagues last season, he only hit .214 in 56 at bats with the Indians. The deal was necessary for the Padres, as they need some power in the middle of their lineup. Kouzmanoff will be invited to Spring Training with the hopes that he will win the everyday job at third base. He could hit fifth or sixth by the end of the season, although the Padres are most likely to bring him along slowly and ease the pressure on the rookie. Kouzmanoff possesses the potential to hit 30 homers, but that will be tough playing at the spacious Petco Park. Expect him to hit around .280 with a lot of doubles and about 15-20 home runs, as long as he get 500 at bats.

MIKE PELFREY

Pitcher, New York Mets (New Orleans Zephyrs)
2006 Minors: 7-3, 2.43 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 109 SO, 96.1 IP
AFL Snapshot: Pelfrey started just one game. He gave up 1 hit, while walking 2 and striking out 2 in 4 scoreless innings for the Mesa Solar Sox.
Comments: The Mets are in dire need of some solid starting pitching. Tom Glavine will open the season as their No. 1 starter with Pedro Martinez missing most, if not all of the 2007 season due to shoulder surgery. And after El Duque, they don't seem to have a starter in the rotation over the age of 25. The opportunity is there for Pelfrey to open the season in Flushing at the No. 5 starter. He did pitch 21.1 big-league innings with an 5.48 ERA last season. What's impressive, though, is his 10.08 K/9 ratio he posted last season between Double A and Triple A. If he can find that kind of success in the Majors, there is no doubt the future is very bright for this 23-year-old phenom.

TROY TULOWITZKI

Shortstop, Colorado Rockies (Colorado Springs Sky Sox)
2006 Minors: .291 AVG, 13 HR, 61 RBI, 6 SB, 423 AB
AFL Snapshot: Tulowitzki batted .329 with 1 HR and 10 RBI in 22 games while playing for the Grand Canyon Rafters in the Arizona Fall League. He was named an AFL Rising Star and made the AFL All-Prospect team.
Comments: Tulowitzki got his first shot at The Show late last season, when Clint Barmes went through a sophomore slump. Tulowitzki posted a .240 average in 96 at bats. The Rockies are not sure where Barmes will play this year, but it doesn't look like it will be shortstop. They traded for Kaz Matsui to play second base. That means there is a good chance that the Rockies will trade Barmes, clearing the way for 6-3, 205-pound Tulowitzki to be the everyday shortstop. Colorado is high on the 22-year-old, and he possesses the size and skill to develop into a heavy hitter. That kind of power is highly coveted at short. So for those of you drafting in keeper leagues, this is the kind of player you want to get and hang onto.

BEN ZOBRIST

Shortstop, Tampa Bay Devil Rays (Durham Bulls)
2006 Minors: .323 AVG, 3 HR, 36 RBI, 13 SB, 384 AB
AFL Snapshot: Zobrist finished third in the Arizona Fall League with a .366 batting average, 2 HR and 21 RBI in 27 games for the Phoenix Desert Dogs. He was named to the AFL All-Prospect team.
Comments: Zobrist became a Devil Ray when he was traded in a package from Houston for Aubrey Huff near the deadline last season. It proved to be a great move for Tampa Bay, as it allowed them to trade Julio Lugo to Dodgers, and not have to stick B.J. Upton in the hole at short. Upton, though very talented offensively, has had his troubles in the field. Zobrist is a very good fielder, has been masterful with his bat (a career.321 hitter in 279 minor league games) and has a bit of speed. Because he walks more than he strikes out, he will make an ideal leadoff hitter. If given the job, with that lineup hitting behind him, he could easily score 100 runs. Expect a high average and 20-plus stolen bases to boot.