Cards Send Seven To Arizona Fall League
Posted on August 30th, 2011 by Jeff in Arizona Fall League, tags: David Kopp, Justin Wright, Keith Butler, Matt Adams, Oscar Taveras, Ryan Jackson, tyler lyonsThe Cardinals are sending 7 players to the Arizona Fall League this fall (which is also known as “Prospect Finishing School”:
1B Matt Adams
OF Oscar Taveras (will be second youngest player in the league)
SS Ryan Jackson
RHP Keith Butler
LHP Justin Wright
RHP David Kopp
LHP Tyler Lyons
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Mixed reaction. Glad to see Adams, and Jackson there, and a bit (pleasantly) surprised to see Taveras there. Still would have liked to have seen Cox, Miller, Cleto, or Wong there too though. I guess you can only send so many position players, but I’m not particularly excited about any of the pitchers. I guess they might be protecting Cleto’s and Miller’s arms, but they both need to work on their secondary pitches.
I’d probably rather have Cox there than Taveras, since I think Cox is closer. I guess they’d rather have Taveras get more ABs since he missed time during the season, plus the Cards could use some OF help in the next couple years unless they want to rely on Holliday-Jay-Craig to start. (Even if they re-sign Berkman, he’ll only be around one or two more years.)
I think each MLB team gets to send 3 position players and 4 pitchers, subject to subsequent injuries. I am very excited to see how the Cards 7 play. I think the Arizona Fall League is rated somewhere between AA and AAA is status. However it indicates that the Cards have all seven in their plans which is obvious for the hitters and very encouraging as to the pitchers.
Didn’t Cox go last season? I don’t know the rules, but they may be only allowed to appear once?
Yeah, he definitely went last year. But like you, not sure about eligibility rules.
Yea, I thought he went last year, but I didn’t see it on his MiLB page. It is on his fangraphs page though, so I would assume that’s why he isn’t going again.
If there is a one-time limit, this is the first I’ve heard of it, though I can’t recall anyone going twice either. I always assumed that was due to prospect type stuff, but I guess it would make sense if that was a rule.
I’m really surprised Wong isn’t their as well. Although, he did play an entire college schedule and then jumped straight into Quad Cities (one of the first players to sign) and then had the hamstring injury, so maybe they’re thinking rest might be the best for him and his development.
Highest number of innings pitched (to date) of the pitchers is about 82. Guys like Miller who currently sit at 131 need a rest.
re: Taveras – Could they be thinking “He tore it up at QC – let’s see how advanced he really is.”? Wonder if his performance there might have a big impact on where they stick him to start next year.
If they wanted to do that, they could have moved him to Palm Beach or Springfield though. I think this is as much about getting him more ABs as it is testing him.
I think they’re only sending Justin Wright to the AFL so he’s forced to give up an earned run (something he hasn’t yet done in the Florida State League).
I also didn’t realize Keith Butler has such good numbers. Maybe the Cards wants to see what he can do in an environment that doesn’t favor pitchers.
(Or they could just wait until next year and see how he does in Springfield.)
Jinx!
I was just thinking that! I feel kind of bad that I brought it up.
Very exciting – I’m going to the all star game on 11/5 so I really hope to see Adams and Taveras there
Not a true all-star game but a “rising stars”game – might improve your chances to see Taveras.
Even better!
I love the decision to send Taveras. If he does well enough, he might jump right to Springfield.
Latin prospects to the AFL is rare – needs permission of the player’s home country’s baseball federation.
This is a really young group, youngest I can remember. Only Kopp is rule 5 eligible if not placed on the 40 man roster. Surprised Wong’s not there though. maybe he wants to go to school in the fall.
Too bad they decommissioned the Hawaiian Winter League, he could have played some offseason ball AND gone to school.
I’m guessing Adams is going to the AFL in order to let *everyone* see that big bat; should drive up his trade value for the off-season.
Prediction: Taveras does well—.300+, with good power (though not many walks, I’d guess), and vaults, finally, into consensus top 20 prospect status.
Fun Taveras fact #172: Over his last 10 games, O.T. has 22 hits, 8 for extra bases, while whiffing just twice.
I assume the Arizona Fall League is pretty hitter favorable. I seem to remember every year the Cactus League teams trying to quell fan euphoria over power numbers.
This should make both Adams and Taveras look quite good. Although, I’m not sure Taveras is exactly lacking in the self-esteem area. Seems he kind of knows he’s a bit of a big deal.
I’m as high as Taveras as anyone but even if the AFL is hitter favorable, he’s going to be the second youngest player and will be facing top pitching prospects who are older and in higher levels. Don’t be disspointed if he sruggles some in the AFL.
Oh, I won’t be disappointed if he struggles. But I won’t be all that surprised if he excels either.
This is a good test for him though. Gonna be real interesting to watch.
I have Taveras above everyone except Mike Trout—and right now I’m not even 100% sure about Trout.
So, are you as high as I am, Andrew?
Yes, many would agree you would have to be high to think that :)
I was the person on the board that saw him that first 4 games of his QC career before he got hurt. So yes, it was the best series of games I’ve ever seen anyone play relative to the other players on the field. I don’t know about how he compares to other prospects as I haven’t seen them but he was a man among boys when I saw him play live and obviously a very special player.
Must say I am intrigued by David Kopp. Ive seen him the past two years in Springfield as a starter adn reliever. he gave me some hope that he could turn into a back rotation starter after having a solid year last year but struggled this year as a starter. I noticed him pitching better thsi year in the pen and closer for Springfield before his promotion. And it has continued so far in AAA. I will be watchign his performance this fall for sure in hopes he could be a set up guy some day.
Was looking at the AFL web site. Noticed STL’s own “Scrabble”led the AFL in ERA last year.
I also was surprised that OT is going. I wouldn’t be surprised if he struggles some but it’ll be good experience for him. I’m actually pleased to see that Wright, Butler and Lyons are going. They’re not being touted as top prospects but their records in the lower minors are terrific. Should any of them succeed against the tougher AFL competition it might indicate that they are prospect material.
My guess is the Cards are sending Tavares to make up for the AB’s he lost due to the on-going hammy injuries? My other guess is that if Oscar holds his own in the AZL, he will follow the same path as Adams and skip the offense-vacuum of the Florida State League and go straight to Springfield next year.
I thought of that too. Palm Beach is such a dead zone for hitters that they may want to put him in a better hitting situation if he holds his own against better pitching.
According to scout.com …. “Matt Adams has been designated as the Cardinals’ priority player, assuring him of regular playing time” The cards are really either trying to raise his trade value, or see what he can do in the event that AP leaves