Here’s a listing and synopsis of some of the top prospects in the Arizona Fall League. Many reside in the AL Central and NL Central divisions. The Chicago Cubs have two.
by David Malamut
Robbie Grossman Pittsburgh Pirates
Wil Myers Kansas City Royals
Junior Lake Chicago Cubs
Brian Dozier Minnesota Twins
Matt Adams St. Louis Cardinals
Josh Vitters Chicago Cubs
Terry Doyle Chicago White Sox
Brad Boxberger Cincinnati Reds
Grossman was the 6th round pick of the Pirates in the 2008 draft. The 21 year old outfielder hit .295 in 134 games for Bradenton of the Florida State League. This was his second straight year in Bradenton. He had 13 homers in 616 plate appearances with 34 doubles and two triples.
Myers was the 3rd round pick of the Royals in 2009 this 20 year old kid spent last year in AA Northwest Arkansas; in 99 games he hit .254 with 8 homers and 49 driven in. In 2010 he split the season between the Royals two A level teams and hit .315 in 126 games with 14 homers, 37 doubles and 83 driven in. Plus 12 stolen bases and 3 triples. Last year was the first time in his career that he wasn’t behind the plate. He made the move to the outfield and committed seven errors in 202 chances.
Lake was signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2006 by the Cubs. He is a 21 year old infielder. With Starlin Castro at short the Cubs might have a decision to make about where to play Lake. He has played mostly short the last few years. His hitting is ok, he hit .279 combined in Daytona and Tennessee last year. In 116 games he had 12 homers and 51 driven in. That includes 109 strike outs and 19 walks.
Dozier was the 8th round pick of the Twins in 2009. He is a middle infielder who split last year between New Britain and Fort Myers. He hit a combined .320 in 127 games with 9 homers, 33 doubles and 12 triples. He stole 24 bases, had 55 walks and only 66 strikeouts.
Adams was the 23rd round pick of the Cardinals in 2009. He is big, 6’3″, 230 at the age of 23. Last year in Springfield he hit .300 in 115 games with 32 homers and 101 driven in. In his three year career he has 64 homers. The thing is last year he struck out 90 times and walks 40 with an on base percentage of .923. Adams is a first baseman and last year he only made eight errors and turned 85 double plays
Vitters has been a prospect for the Cubs for the past few years. He was their first round pick in the 2007 draft, third pick overall. Last year he spent his second one in Tennessee and hit .283 in 129 games. With 14 homers and 81 driven in. He has been the Cubs next third baseman for the past few years. With Aramis Ramirez likely gone it’s his turn.
Doyle was the White Sox 37th round pick of the 2008 draft. He went 7-5 with a 3.24 era in Birmingham last year. In 15 games started he had two complete games and one shutout. In pitching 100 innings he struck out 73 and walked 22 giving up 91 hits. He spent 11 starts last year in Winston-Salem, going 1-5 with a 2.84 era with one complete game. In his minor league career he has a 26-23 record with a 2.94 era in 94 games.
Boxberger was the Reds 1st round pick in 2009, 43 overall. Last year he split time between Carolina and Louisville. Combining to go 2-4 with a 2.03 era in 55 games. He would save 11 of them in 62 innings he gave up 32 hits and 93 strikeouts.
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