Nov 2, 2013; Surprise, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant bats against the West during the Fall Stars Game at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
For our second Arizona Fall League wrap up, we take a look at the Mesa Solar Sox, a club staffed from the Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Angels, Detroit Tigers, Oakland A’s and Washington Nationals organizations. Although they lost the league championship game, there were several potential superstars on the Solar Sox including 2013 second overall pick Kris Bryant and the Oakland A’s top prospect, shortstop Addison Russell.
Bryant earned the AFL MVP Award after leading the league with six home runs and slugging his way to a .364/.457/.727 line. That average was good for fifth in the league while his eight doubles were tied for second. There’s really not much to dislike about Bryant who could be in the majors as early as next year after flying through three levels of the minor leagues in 2013. Announcers and scouts watching the AFL mentioned that he might need some work at third base and could end up in right field and his slightly long swing leaves him vulnerable to the inside pitch. Otherwise, Bryant was a beast who definitely earned his MVP award.
The Angels’ C.J. Cron was probably a close second for the MVP award. Cron won the Arizona Fall League batting title with a .413/.467/.700 line that included six doubles and five home runs. The big first baseman was as solid as you can get, showing impressive contact abilities, striking out only 11 times in 80 at bats. Cron had a very solid season that included 51 extra-hits (14 home runs) in Double-A Arkansas but will have issues cracking a major league squad with the Angels lineup filled with 1B/DH types.
Washington prospect Steven Souza made an impact despite not getting the playing time of the regulars. He hit .357/.426/.476 in 42 at bats, stealing an impressive 10 bases in 11 attempts. Souza actually put up better power numbers in the Double-A Eastern League last year, hitting 15 home runs in just 273 at bats with an OBP approaching .400, so it looks like Souza could be one of the most well-rounded prospects in the Nationals organization.
Shortstop Addison Russell showed off his offensive and defensive capabilities this fall. The Athletics’ product also demonstrates multiple tools, hitting .282/.361/.435 with eight doubles, a triple and a home run to go with five stolen bases in the AFL. He had a terrific season in Stockton (High-A California League) but we’ll have to wait and see if his offensive numbers (29 doubles, 10 triples, 17 home runs) have been inflated due to the high altitudes and excellent hitting environments of the Cal League.
Another well-known Cubs prospect, Jorge Soler, was solid but unspectacular in Arizona. Soler hit .271/.311/.376 which isn’t bad, but his high strikeout totals (21 in 85 at bats) and lack of power don’t bode well. Another major drawback for Soler is his inability to get on base via the walk, taking only five in his AFL season. Soler had decent numbers in the Florida State League but the 21-year-old Cuban is going to have to show more command of the strike zone as he moves up against better quality pitching.
The pitching staff was led by a couple of Nationals prospects Sammy Solis and Matt Purke. Solis, a 25-year-old lefty led the club in innings pitched and strikeouts (by a lot), throwing 29 innings, with a 2.17 ERA and 1.34 WHIP to go with 29 strikeouts and just seven walks. He shows great control and will likely face a better challenge than the High-A Carolina League that he pitched in this year. Purke didn’t flash as good stuff, only striking out 17 in 23 innings but walked only nine and posted a 3.91 ERA and 1.26 WHIP.
The Oakland A’s had a pair of reliever who excelled in the fall league in Jeff Urlaub and Seth Frankoff. Frankoff had a 1.46 ERA over 12 1/3 innings with a miniscule 0.89 WHIP, 15 strikeouts and just three walks. Lefty Urlaub, who picked off two batters in one inning in the championship game, got hit a bit more, giving up four runs over 13 innings for 2.77 ERA and 1.34 WHIP. On the other side, his 16 strikeouts to three walks is also an outstanding ratio.
My vote for Team MVP and Best Pitcher go to Kris Bryant and Sammy Solis.