This article is part of our AFL Summary series.
Arizona Fall League Summary: Part One--Pitchers
by John Sickels
The Arizona Fall League wrapped up this past weekend. Here is a look at interesting players from the league, and possible implications for their fantasy value in 2011 and beyond. Part One will focus on pitchers; Part Two will look at hitters.
This is not a top prospect list, but a look at six pitchers I find interesting, some well-known prospects, some not.
SIX INTERESTING PITCHERS FROM THE ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE
Manny Banuelos, LHP, Yankees (Phoenix Desert Dogs)
A 19 year old from Mexico, Banuelos posted a 3.60 ERA with a 16:10 K:BB in 25 innings in the AFL, with 31 hits allowed. The numbers weren't stupendous, and not as good as the 2.51 ERA with a 85:25 K:BB in 65 innings he posted at three levels during the regular season, but the sample size is small, and overall scouts are very impressed with him. He has a clean, easy, low-effort delivery that generates low-to-mid-90s heat, and he made good strides with his breaking ball and changeup this year. He could see New York late in 2011 and would likely show up as a key prospect name in any significant trade rumors.
Scott Barnes, LHP, Indians (Peoria Javelinas)
This 23 year old lefty had some problems in Double-A this year, going 6-11, 5.22 for Akron with a 127:58 K:BB in 138 innings, with 126 hits. The ERA and W/L were deceptive; he pitched better than those numbers indicated, and
Arizona Fall League Summary: Part One--Pitchers
by John Sickels
The Arizona Fall League wrapped up this past weekend. Here is a look at interesting players from the league, and possible implications for their fantasy value in 2011 and beyond. Part One will focus on pitchers; Part Two will look at hitters.
This is not a top prospect list, but a look at six pitchers I find interesting, some well-known prospects, some not.
SIX INTERESTING PITCHERS FROM THE ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE
Manny Banuelos, LHP, Yankees (Phoenix Desert Dogs)
A 19 year old from Mexico, Banuelos posted a 3.60 ERA with a 16:10 K:BB in 25 innings in the AFL, with 31 hits allowed. The numbers weren't stupendous, and not as good as the 2.51 ERA with a 85:25 K:BB in 65 innings he posted at three levels during the regular season, but the sample size is small, and overall scouts are very impressed with him. He has a clean, easy, low-effort delivery that generates low-to-mid-90s heat, and he made good strides with his breaking ball and changeup this year. He could see New York late in 2011 and would likely show up as a key prospect name in any significant trade rumors.
Scott Barnes, LHP, Indians (Peoria Javelinas)
This 23 year old lefty had some problems in Double-A this year, going 6-11, 5.22 for Akron with a 127:58 K:BB in 138 innings, with 126 hits. The ERA and W/L were deceptive; he pitched better than those numbers indicated, and he looked good in Arizona, posting a 3.65 ERA with a 28:7 K:BB in 25 innings with 23 hits allowed. He hits 90, has a decent breaking ball, and a very good changeup to go with a deceptive, if somewhat awkward, delivery. If he can build on his fall progress, he could contribute in Cleveland sooner than expected.
Josh Collmenter, RHP, Diamondbacks (Scottsdale Scorpions)
24 years old, Collmenter went 14-6, 3.38 with a 133:51 K:BB in 152 innings between three levels in 2010, and continued to pitch well in Arizona, with a 3.04 ERA and a 30:7 K:BB in 27 innings. Scouts are skeptical since his fastball is just in the 80s, but he has a good breaking ball and a terrific changeup. He also has an unusual over the top delivery that is unconventional but interesting. He's not a super-hot prospect, but he did turn some heads in Arizona and, like Barnes in Cleveland, he could contribute unexpectedly in the majors in '11.
Danny Duffy, LHP, Royals (Surprise Rafters)
Duffy quit baseball this past spring, but returned soon enough to post a 2.74 ERA with a 69:17 K:BB in 62 innings at three levels and reestablish himself on the Royals prospect charts. The 21 year old had an ugly line in Arizona with an 8.04 ERA and an 18:9 K:BB in 16 innings, with 17 hits allowed. His stuff was erratic as well; in outing he barely topped 90, but in others he threw the same 92-95 MPH heat that he showed during the summer. Overall, he impressed more observers than not, and he could see Kansas City sometime in the second half of the '11 season if his command is sharp enough.
Jeremy Jeffress, RHP, Brewers (Surprise Rafters)
This 23 year old fireballer turned heads with his 100 MPH fastball and nasty breaking ball, showing why the Milwaukee front office has been so patient with him despite his well-publicized problems with marijuana use. He also has command issues and walked 12 in 12 AFL innings, but he also struck out 14 and demonstrated overpowering stuff. He held his own in late major league action with the Brewers last fall, and it seems he has a good chance to open '11 in the Milwaukee pen. Jeffress has top-notch closer-quality stuff, if he throws enough strikes. Since he's now on the 40-man roster, he comes under major league baseball policy on recreational drugs. If he was still in the minors, one more positive test for marijuana would result in a lifetime ban.
Sammy Solis, LHP, Nationals (Scottsdale Scorpions)
Drafted in the second round from the University of San Diego this past June, Solis threw just four innings in the Sally League after signing, so he was sent to Arizona for some additional innings. He performed well, posting a 3.80 ERA with a 12:7 K:BB in 24 innings, with 22 hits allowed, impressing scouts with his intelligence, mound presence, and command of a 90-93 MPH fastball, curveball, slider, and changeup, all solid offerings. He should begin '11 in Double-A, and could be fast-tracked into the Nationals rotation within a year, projecting as a number three starter.
