Arizona Fall League 2021

[imref]

Vaccines required: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/09/mlb-to-require-vaccinations-for-players-to-participate-in-arizona-fall-league.html

[zimm_da_kid]

I’m guessing we see some combo of Antuna, Henry, Casey, Cronin, Adon, Carrillo, Romero, and Millas there

[welch]

I don't know about Carillo. Ugly half-season at Harrisburg. Maybe AFL is a chance to test him?

[RD]

Hope to see Rutledge log more innings there.

[Slateman]

Hope to see Rutledge log more innings there.

They pretty much have to send him at this point. Between 2020 and the injury issues this season, they gotta get him some innings

[imref]

According to The Nats Report, RHP Cole Henry, RHP Todd Peterson, RHP Jackson Rutledge are heading to the AFL.

https://thenatsreport.com/10/04/2021/allnews/rutledge-henry-and-peterson-headline-seven-washington-nationals-prospects-to-the-2021-arizona-fall-league/

AFL begins October 13.

[zimm_da_kid]

I’m looking for Rutledge to boost his trade value

[Natsinpwc]

According to The Nats Report, RHP Cole Henry, RHP Todd Peterson, RHP Jackson Rutledge are heading to the AFL.

https://thenatsreport.com/10/04/2021/allnews/rutledge-henry-and-peterson-headline-seven-washington-nationals-prospects-to-the-2021-arizona-fall-league/

AFL begins October 13.

I thought Todd Peterson was in jail.

[welch]

Henry and Rutledge are good choices.

Who is Todd Peterson? (Ah...this guy. Pitched a little at Wilmington this year): https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=peters000tod

[zimm_da_kid]

Henry and Rutledge are good choices.

Who is Todd Peterson?

He of the best interview ever

[GataNats]

Why no Cavalli?

[imref]

Full list is out:
Jackson Rutledge (RHP)
Cole Henry (RHP)
Donavan Casey (OF)
Jackson Cluff (SS)
Drew Millas (C)
Israel Pineda (C)
Todd Peterson (RHP)

The Nats players are assigned to the Surprise Saguaros - https://www.mlb.com/arizona-fall-league/teams/surprise-saguaros

[zimm_da_kid]

I don’t understand why cliff is in the system still.

[aspenbubba]

Why no Cavalli?

Probably has pitched enough this season and he is now facing AAA players and not AA and less assuming that the AFL is below AAA talent.

[imref]

Probably has pitched enough this season and he is now facing AAA players and not AA and less assuming that the AFL is below AAA talent.

yeah, no reason to push him any further this season.

[imref]

I don’t understand why cliff is in the system still.

he's only 24.

[Natsinpwc]

I don’t understand why cliff is in the system still.

Cliff who?

[zimm_da_kid]

Cliff who?

Cluff.  My mad.  Damn autocorrect

[Slateman]

Why no Cavalli?

Threw a lot of innings. Probably a bit more than they intended, but he was rolling. He didnt pitch last season, so probably wise to hold em back.

Meanwhile Rutledge and Henry spent a lot of time on the IL this season, so they probably want to stretch then out. And both really need the innings to develop third pitches

[Elvir Ovcina]

Cluff.  My mad.  Damn autocorrect

Why would he not still be in the system?  They have a giant hole at SS and he's at least a middling SS prospect.  He's barely had any game action as a pro - 107 games.

He's only 24 and didn't get much game action this year. If he puts up a .550 OPS in AA at age 25 then he's an org player, but I'm still not seeing any reason to trade or weed out SS prospects.  Two of the "SS" prospects that supposedly were top ones can't play SS and Garcia hasn't shown he can hit enough (and perhaps not play SS either).  That's normal.   That's also why middling SS prospects who miss a lot of time get sent to the AFL.

[Slateman]

Why would he not still be in the system?  They have a giant hole at SS and he's at least a middling SS prospect.  He's barely had any game action as a pro - 107 games.

He's only 24 and didn't get much game action this year. If he puts up a .550 OPS in AA at age 25 then he's an org player, but I'm still not seeing any reason to trade or weed out SS prospects.  Two of the "SS" prospects that supposedly were top ones can't play SS and Garcia hasn't shown he can hit enough (and perhaps not play SS either).  That's normal.   That's also why middling SS prospects who miss a lot of time get sent to the AFL.

We have four players in the system that project to MLB shortstops. Cluff is Wilmer Difo 2.0

[RD]

Cluff is in a unique situation, much moreso than most minor leaguers. Many had the off year due to covid, but when you combine that with him missing two years of college on a Mormon mission. He has yet to play 2 straight years of ball, since he was in high school. Played as a freshman at BYU, missed 2 years for the mission. Returned in '19, played at BYU and part of the year in pro ball. He did participate in the alternate training site, and impressed, but its still not a real minor league season. Then he missed rhe beginning of this year with an injury.

I wouldn't put any real labels on the kid, good or bad. Hes missed a lot of developmental time since leaving HS. They liked him enough to take him in the 6th, he's praised as being athletic, and supposedly did well at the alternate site. It'd be great if he develops into something, but I'm not holding my breath. That doesn't mean he should be released, either.

[Elvir Ovcina]

We have four players in the system that project to MLB shortstops. Cluff is Wilmer Difo 2.0

There's no reason to release a controllable AA Difo.  That's useful depth that you hope you never have to use but probably will at least occasionally.

[imref]

Opening day was yesterday:
Cole Henry: 2.2 IP, 1 BB, 6 SO
Israel Pineda: 1-for-2, 3-run 2B
Donovan Casey: 1-for-5, RBI, R

[welch]

There's no reason to release a controllable AA Difo.  That's useful depth that you hope you never have to use but probably will at least occasionally.

And, also:

- sumgai like Kieboom begins to make Wilmer look pretty good. Wilmer did OK for Pittsburgh. Kieboom ought to be on his last chance.

- projections mean zip until a player proves something. The various "tools" are just examples of the baloney tool, otherwise.