The Arizona Fall League (AFL) rosters were released on Tuesday, and while there are still some changes to be made to the rosters, the Indians at this point will be sending seven players to the AFL this year:
RHP Connor Graham
RHP Josh Judy
RHP Zach Putnam
INF Josh Rodriguez
1B/OF Matt McBride
INF Carlos Rivero
OF Nick Weglarz
They will play for the Peoria Saguaros who will be managed by former Indian David Bell. Low-A Lake County Hitting Coach Jim Rickon will assist Bell. The Indians have the option to send one player from below Double-A, and that is still yet to be determined on who that will be, if they even send anyone from below Double-A. There is still a possibility that 2009 1st round pick RHP Alex White is sent to the AFL at some point. The season begins October 13th and ends on November 21st.
Also, as an FYI, the Hawaii Winter League officially closed up shop last year since MLB pulled out and no longer would back the winter league there. Supposedly they are looking to have an additional fall/winter league stateside to complement the AFL, which could possibly be held in Arizona and run after the AFL concludes or be run at another location.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Arizona Fall League Participants Announced
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3 comments:
So is the battle on between McBride and Rivero for a 40-man spot in the AFL? Also, anything to McBride being listed as a catcher on the Peoria roster?
I'm still of the belief there is no way Rivero is rostered and if left unprotected he is not selected. Of course, I have not done my due dilligence in looking at the roster situation yet, which I will do this offseason.
Rivero though is nowhere close to major league ready. he has average speed at best, so wouldn't be usable as a late-inning pinch runner. He's very good up the middle defensively, but nothing a team is going to plug in at shortstop late in games as a defensive replacement there. he has no versatility (yet) as he just plays shortstop. And as mentioned the bat is far from ready. He's healthy too. There's nothing I see where if selected he could stick on a team all year. Doesn't offer much at the moment. McBride on the other hand has shown some versatility and his bat has been productive this year (though I am also of the belief he is not ready with the bat and therefore would likely not be taken).
In any case, if it were to come down to McBride and Rivero where they were to roster one of the other, at this point in time it is a slam dunk it would be McBride.
As always, thanks for the response Tony. I'm actually a big fan of Rivero, but I agree, unless he absolutely dominates the AFL, I can't fathom anyone taking up a 25-man roster spot on him for an entire season.
McBride, on the other hand, I could with his ability to play 1B and the OF, and even mix in some catcher if need be. However, I really don't feel there's a big need for McBride on our 40-man roster unless we'd simply be rostering him to either trade him, or move a couple of spare parts (potentially a Shoppach or Marte deal).
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