Arizona Fall League Prospect Follow Up

The Arizona Fall League features some of the best prospects in baseball through a quick 29 game season. It’s comprised of six teams that play from mid September to late October. I wrote about these guys right before the AFL (https://www.thecardswap.net/single-post/2019/09/01/5-Prospects-to-Watch-Ignoring-Wander) , so it’s time to see how they did.

Gavin Lux: did not play - made majors

Jarred Kelenic: Wisdom tooth/Back only played three games

Lux, as many of you know with my posts on the Card Swap Facebook group, was brought up by the Dodgers late in the season. He hit 2 homers and had 9 RBI’s while featuring a .700 OPS through 23 games. He seemed competent at 2B which is not surprising considering that’s why he had such a high draft stock. There was no need for him to play in the AFL considering his impact at the Major League level.

Kelenic, unfortunately had to get surgery on his wisdom tooth and also hurt his back destroying his chance of completing the AFL season. He did get in three games before going out with a slash line of .300/.364/.300/.664.

Luis Robert: did not play - 2018 AFL season:

74AB 2HR 10RBI 5BB 13SO .800 OPS

Robert was not expected to play this year mainly because of the success he had this season. Luis had a slash line throughout all levels of the minors of .328/.376/.624/1.001 with 32HR 92RBI’s and 36SB. There was no need for him to play in the AFL. He is major league ready now, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see him starting Opening Day for the White Sox in the 2020 season.

Those who played this year MLB.com’s ratings in the AFL:

Oneil Cruz: #14: .190/.306/.214 1RBI

Alec Bohm: #7: 72AB 2HR 9RBI 5BB 16SO .397OBP .925 OPS

Jo Adell: #2: 99AB 27H 3HR 9RBI 11BB 29SO .411OBP .796 OPS

Despite horrid numbers in the AFL, Cruz turned heads with his sheer size and arm strength. The scouts are slotting him as a RF at this point because of his physicality. It’s very interesting to me that they had Cruz rated above Miguel Amaya, Seth Beer, and Ronaldo Hernandez unless he’s just that physically impressive. Alec Bohm’s performance at the plate is to be expected. He’s one of the best bats in the minors behind players like Robert, Adell, and Royce Lewis. His fielding has improved as well. With third open for the Phillies, he could be up this upcoming season. Adell’s total performance grabbed him the #2 rank behind Royce Lewis with the only knock on Adell is that he projects to play in RF not SS like Lewis. Adell shows power, speed, and fielding ability consistently much like his counterpart in the majors, Mike Trout. I’m not saying he’ll be at Trout’s level, but it doesn’t hurt to learn from the best player this past decade.