It’s no secret that October is the best time of year to be a baseball fan. While we are all glued to our TV screens watching the best players the game has to offer in some of the most dramatic situations you will see on a baseball diamond, the stars of tomorrow are getting some valuable playing time as well. For us prospect junkies, October is not only marked on our calendar because of the MLB playoffs, but also because of the Arizona Fall League. Things kicked off yesterday afternoon and over the next couple of days, we will be highlighting the rosters from each of the six squads.
Part One: Peoria Javelinas
Part Two: Glendale Desert Dogs
Part Three: Surprise Saguaros
Today we move onto the Mesa Solar Sox
Farm Systems: Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Angels, Oakland Athletics
The Solar Sox are off to a 1-0 start after yesterday’s 4-3 win over Scottsdale. Daz Cameron had two hits and Darwinzon Hernandez struck out five over two innings.
Top Position Players To Watch
Boston Red Sox: 3B Michael Chavis .298/.381/.538 9 HR, 27 RBI
This one was tough as there are a handful of good Red Sox prospects on this roster. I love Bobby Dalbec and his power, but at the moment, Chavis simply has more tools going for him. Chavis put up good 2018 numbers in his limited time back from suspension.
Chicago Cubs: SS Nico Hoerner .327/.450/.571 2 HR, 6 RBI, 6 SB
A 2018 first round pick, Hoerner had an elbow injury that limited him to 14 games, but he did show out in that small sample size.
Detroit Tigers: OF Daz Cameron .264/.343/.406 8 HR, 61 RBI, 24 SB
Cameron came over in the Verlander trade. He is a glove first guy at the moment, but has the potential to develop into above average tools across the board.
Los Angeles Angels: 2B Jahmai Jones .239/.337/.380 10 HR, 55 RBI, 24 SB
Jones may be my favorite prospect on this roster. Of course nothing is guaranteed when it comes to prospects, but with his raw talent and ability to adjust, I think Jones is a sure fire big leaguer.
Oakland Athletics: INF Eli White .306/.388/.450 9 HR, 55 RBI, 18 SB
One of just three Oakland position player prospects on the squad, the 24 year old spent the 2018 season in Double-A. Thanks to his versatility, White has the tools to make a 25 man roster as a utility player somewhere down the road.
Top Pitchers To Watch:
Boston Red Sox: LHP Darwinzon Hernandez 3.53 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 134 SO, 66 BB
A high strikeout, high walk kind of guy, as are a lot of 21 year olds, Hernandez is best known for his fastball that sits in the mid to high 90’s with quite a bit of action considering the velocity.
Chicago Cubs: LHP Justin Steele 2.31ERA, 0.90 WHIP, 53 SO, 13 BB
Steele is a guy I am a lot higher on than most. A victim of TJ surgery, his name hasn’t come up when discussing prospects much since the injury. He still misses a lot of barrels and has a high floor as a solid back of the rotation arm.
Detroit Tigers: LHP Gregory Soto 4.45 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, 115 SO, 70 BB
Soto’s biggest challenge has been throwing strikes. He did get the AFL opening day start on Tuesday where he struck out two and walked three in 2.1 IP.
Los Angeles Angels: RHP Jesus Castillo 4.94 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 60 SO, 31 BB
A slim 6’2, Castillo induces a lot of groundball contact with good command. His numbers don’t look the greatest due to some bad BABIP luck.
Oakland Athletics: RHP Angel Duno 2.62 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 66 SO, 17 BB
Duno is a 24 year old right hander out of Venezuela. The A’s were slow with his progression and moved him to the bullpen full time this year. It seems to be paying off for him now.
Featured Image Courtesy of Mathew Carper/LOD
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