2012 Arizona Fall League / Latin Winter League Thread

[ReverendBrewmeister]

With the 2012 Minor League Baseball Season reaching it's last month and several AA/AAA players in the organization turning in impressive performances, my mind has wandered toward looking forward to the 2012 Arizona Fall League Season.

 

For our MiLB experts here at Brewerfan.net:

(a) Who do you anticipate as likely candidates for the Fall League roster spots that the Brewers will have open to them?

(b) Who would be somewhat surprising candidates?

[Tedaldtada]

I am no expert but I would think Nic Bucci goes for sure. Maybe Jimmy Nelson who has missed a handful of starts and could use the innings.

 

As for hitters, I am not so sure. I would think Hunter Morris, Scooter Gennett and Kentrail Davis would all get consideration among others.

 

Some long shots? How about Mitch Haniger, Victor Roache or Cam Garfield?

[nate82]

I am no expert but I would think Nic Bucci goes for sure. Maybe Jimmy Nelson who has missed a handful of starts and could use the innings.

 

As for hitters, I am not so sure. I would think Hunter Morris, Scooter Gennett and Kentrail Davis would all get consideration among others.

 

Some long shots? How about Mitch Haniger, Victor Roache or Cam Garfield?

 

I am not sure that Gennett will go nor do I believe Morris or Davis will also be in the AFL.

 

I would believe the Brewers would want to get more work in for players that have missed parts of the season more so than guys that have played a full season. The players I think who will be on a team are Roache, Haniger, Coulter, Taylor, Y. Rivera, and Prince. Garfield though is very interesting and I could see him being at the AFL. I think Roache is almost a lock if he is healthy as I see the Brewers wanting to get him as much playing time as they possibly can get for him the same can be said about Coulter and Taylor. Rivera and Prince are wildcards to me as I can see them being considered but in the end not getting a spot on an AFL roster.

[1e Corbeau]

I can't remember the details, but there are age/level requirements for players sent to the AFL. Thus, while there might be one spot for a player below AA, there's no way that Coulter, Taylor, Haniger, Roache all get sent. I could definitely see Roache or Haniger, if there is an injury exception.

 

Otherwise, it should be Bucci, as Tedaldtada mentioned, due to his lack of innings. Nelson I could see, too.

 

I have to believe the guys not on the 40-man who will be Rule V eligible will receive serious consideration: both Khris and Kentrail, Heckathorn, Halton, and maybe, if they can bump him to AA soon, Arnett (gasp!). A long shot, sure, as I don't think anyone would risk carrying him on a 25-man for a season.

 

Hunter Morris deserves it if he wants to go. Manzanillo might need some work. Hellweg and Pena might be in the mix, depending on their innings.

 

TJ Mittelstaedt is my dark horse position pick; Eric Arnett, meaning he gets a bump to AA soon, is my pitcher.

[DHonks]

The Brewers historically have sent good hitting prospects, relievers, injury comeback guys, and occasionally a non-drafted free agent. Here are my guesses, although it all depends on what priority positions we get.

 

catcher: Garfield

1b: Morris

OF: Khris Davis

Utility: Kjeldgaard/Prince

starter: Bucci

starter: Bradley

reliever: Arnett

reliever: Wooten

reliever: ??? Williams fits the mold of Bausher and other non-drafted free agents we've sent there

 

Manzanillo cannot play in the AFL, unless the rules have changed. It used to be that if the player's home nation had a league, they weren't eligible for the AFL unless the national teams did not want him (the exception was when Escobar played short after Hardy talked his way out of playing)

[LouisEly]

Teams are allowed two players below AA from what I read

 

Below AA - Alan Williams, Garfield

 

AA & above - Nelson, Bucci, Kh. Davis, Ke. Davis, and either Thornburg (if he needs more innings) or Jesus Sanchez

 

Dark horses - Brian Garman, Shawn Zarraga

[DHonks]

LouisEly, I'm glad to see it's up to two A ball guys. It used to only be one. I included a few of them because I could see the Brewers going several directions.

 

I could also see Farris going as a utility guy to see how he does. Halton perhaps, but I have listed lots of others ahead of him

[CheezWizHed]

I could also see Farris going as a utility guy to see how he does. Halton perhaps,...

 

I was beginning to wonder if JB hacked your account....

 

but I have listed lots of others ahead of him

 

But then I realized he hadn't. (Good think JB takes all the Halton/Farris ribbing well... I hope)

[JohnBriggs12]

CheezWizHed,

 

I ignore the ribbing as I consider the source.

 

All I can say about the AFL is I'm sure Gennett isn't going. He's played almost 16 months straight and I think it's showed over the last couple months.

 

Khris Davis seems likely as does Bucci. Beyond that it's anyone's guess. Casey Medlen, Darren Byrd and Tommy Toledo are names that haven't been mentioned.

[CheezWizHed]

I ignore the ribbing as I consider the source.

 

Ah, its a sign of respect. People know the guys you like that are out of the mainstream prospect lists. No one ever gave me a hard time for locking onto Komotsu...

[TooLiveBrew]

All I can say about the AFL is I'm sure Gennett isn't going. He's played almost 16 months straight and I think it's showed over the last couple months.

His .524 AVG (11-21) over his recent five-game hitting streak would disagree with you. I actually think Gennett is a very strong candidate for the AFL, especially given all the praise his improved defense has gotten so far this season.

[chuckiehacks]

Rosters announced.

 

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/167875745.html

 

Johnny Hellweg

Nick Bucci

Jimmy Nelson

Santo Manzanillo

Kyle Heckathorn

Khris Davis

Brock Kjeldgaard

Hunter Morris

[TheCrew07]

Looks like Thornburg is going to end up in Milwaukee or get shut down.

[bork]

Interesting that Hellweg was picked, since I thought they were trying to limit his innings. I'd imagine Thornburg will get enough innings in Milwaukee in September.

[TheCrew07]

In the end it doesn't matter where Thornburg goes, he's likely not going to make it to last year's inning count.

[sfl2hnq17]

My only complaint on roster is Kjeldgaard instead of Cameron Garfield. Otherwise, I'm pretty stoked those guys going.

[nate82]

I posted this in the link thread today as it had some other information on some Brewers prospects that was interesting. http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120829&content_id=37556608&notebook_id=37556720&vkey=notebook_mil&c_id=mil

 

Found this article interesting today about Gamel possibly playing in the AFL. He would have to be granted an exception since his MLB time exceeds what the AFL allows. Since there is a TBA it could be Gamel or another player.

 

I think Garfield might get in as the last player but I am thinking if Roache is healthy the Brewers will be looking at getting him some playing time in the AFL. I am glad I am wrong about Morris not being in the AFL. Maybe I can catch some of the AFL games that he will be in this year though it is not looking promising with my work schedule right now .

[CheezWizHed]

I would imagine Roache would just play in instructionals and wait for his professional debut next year.

 

Pumped how Bucci is pitching and looking forward to see how he will handle the AFL.

[Kelbysdaddy]

wasnt garfield talking about playing for germany in the world baseball classic qualifers this fall?

[TooLiveBrew]

wasnt garfield talking about playing for germany in the world baseball classic qualifers this fall?

Good memory

[Mass Haas]

Brock Kjeldgaard has seven minor league years under his belt, which should make him eligible for minor league free agency at the end of this season. So unless he's already agreed to a 2013 minor league contract with Milwaukee, his placement on an AFL roster makes little sense.

[DHonks]

Sure it does...it's a chance for him to audition as a 1b/dh/lf/rf for Milwaukee and other clubs. It makes about as much sense as when we sent minor league free agents like Bausher, Narron, and Wolf to the AFL. It's a chance for him to make up at bats before the deadline to be added to the 40-man roster

[Mass Haas]

Write-up from Seedlings to Stars site

[And That]

Gamel might play in the AFL

 

Gamel would get a "dispensation" that would allow him to play.

[TheCrew07]

Just saw that on the blog when I got home, I'm curious how the Brewers are blowing away the typical ACL recovery times. There isn't as much lateral movement in baseball as say basketball or football, but how could he possibly be ready this fast? 4 months almost to the day, 5 months by the time the AFL starts? How are they building enough strength and stability back into the knee fast enough that they are confident he won't re-injure it and will play near 100%?

 

Typically ACL tears have associated secondary tears to the MCL or PCL as well so if the knee wasn't completely blown away I could see where the recovery would be faster, but 4 months seems excessively short. Does anyone know which Orthopedic Doc did the surgery and what they actually repaired?

 

This is 3 players now in Yo, Gonzalez, and Gamel that have had recoveries in under 6 months, and I've never personally witnessed anything quicker than 9, it's typically around a year for a player to be 100%, although I've been working with kids who aren't physically mature. Most NFL players seem to be in that 8-9 month range to get back on the field.