While the fall is an important time for A’s players and fans alike when it comes to post-season play, it’s also an important time for some of the minor leagues’ top prospects. And as the A’s begin Game #4 of their American League playoff series against Detroit on Tuesday, some of the team’s top prospects will begin play in the Arizona Fall League.
The league has been going strong for the past couple of decades now, and its schedule runs for about 6 weeks from early-October through mid-November. There are 6 teams in the AFL, with each team comprised of prospects from 5 different organizations. A’s prospects will be playing for the Mesa Solar Sox this year, where they’ll be joined by prospects from the Cubs, Nationals, Tigers and Angels.
The attendance at AFL games typically tops out at around 200 or so, with the crowds comprised of a healthy dose of scouts, agents, and various professional baseball personnel. Most organizations use the AFL as an opportunity to get some of their top prospects a little more live game action to hopefully help advance their development.
The A’s AFL pitching contingent this year will be comprised of minor league relievers like right-handers Ryan Dull and Seth Frankoff and left-handers Jeff Urlaub and Omar Duran, while some of the team’s top hitting prospects will be seeing some action in Arizona, including shortstop Addison Russell, first baseman Max Muncy and catcher David Freitas.
A’s Prospects in the AFL in 2013
Addison Russell – Shortstop – Age: 19
Stockton Ports / Sacramento River Cats
17 HR / .269 AVG / .369 OBP / .495 SLG / .865 OPS
Max Muncy – First Baseman – Age: 23
Stockton Ports / Midland RockHounds
25 HR / .273 AVG / .381 OBP / .476 SLG / .857 OPS
David Freitas – Catcher – Age: 24
Midland RockHounds / Sacramento River Cats
10 HR / .231 AVG / .306 OBP / .368 SLG / .674 OPS
Ryan Dull – RHP – Age: 24
Beloit Snappers / Stockton Ports / Midland RockHounds
60 IP / 44 H / 16 ER / 9 BB / 78 K / 2.40 ERA / 0.88 WHIP / 19 SV
Seth Frankoff – RHP – Age: 25
Stockton Ports
74 1/3 IP / 57 H / 23 ER / 23 BB / 93 K / 2.78 ERA / 1.08 WHIP / 4 SV
Jeff Urlaub – LHP – Age: 26
Midland RockHounds
46 2/3 IP / 49 H / 20 ER / 13 BB / 40 K / 3.86 ERA / 1.33 WHIP / 1 SV
Omar Duran – LHP – Age: 23
Stockton Ports / Vermont Lake Monsters
58 1/3 IP / 39 H / 27 ER / 43 BB / 91 K / 4.17 ERA / 1.41 WHIP / 3 SV
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Living in Mesa, I plan on going a few game. This is a great great league for high enf minors.