Arizona Fall League reveals rosters for Fall Stars Game

Oct. 14, 2014; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton plays for the Salt River Rafters during an Arizona Fall League game against the Surprise Saguaros at Salt River Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Fall League continues to be the pre-eminent location for top prospects and rising stars across the game, allowing the game’s brightest up-and-coming talent one last showcase before the season comes to a complete end. One of the highlights each year for the AFL is their Fall Stars Game, which will be held on Saturday at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Rosters for this year’s Fall Stars Game have been revealed and there is a host of talent among them, including 14 players that appeared on MLB.com’s Top 100 prospect list prior to this past season.

The AFL East roster is comprised of members of the Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago Cubs, Colorado Rockies, Houston Astros, Los Angeles Angels, Miami Marlins, Minnesota Twins, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Oakland A’s, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Francisco Giants, Toronto Blue Jays, and Washington Nationals. The team’s full roster can be found on MLB.com, but there are some certain notable names to watch:

Archie Bradley, D’backs – An elbow strain limited the right-hander to just 83.0 IP on the season, spread mostly between Double-A and Triple-A. The results in that stretch were hardly impressive: a 4.45 ERA, 1.506 WHIP, 5.3 BB/9. Once viewed as a likely option to arrive with the D’backs in 2014, Bradley’s future remains a little unclear. He’s likely looking at some additional time in the minor leagues in 2015, with the hope that he’ll be able to straighten things out and reach his immense potential.

C.J. Edwards, Cubs – Edwards pitched well in limited action on the year thanks to a shoulder injury. A 2.35 ERA and 1.062 WHIP were impressive, but they came in just 53.2 IP (mostly at Double-A). Chicago could get aggressive with Edwards next season, bumping him up to Triple-A before potentially having him as an option late in the season.

Peter O’Brien, D’backs – One of the top power hitting prospects in baseball this past season, O’Brien mashed 34 home runs while hitting .271/.316/.594 in 427 PA. Traded at the deadline from the Yankees to the D’backs, O’Brien’s future position remains his biggest question as there are many who believe he won’t be able to remain behind the plate.

Josh Bell, Pirates – Splitting his 2014 season between High-A and Double-A, Bell hit a combined .325/.375/.459 in 465 PA this past season. A corner outfielder with a load of talent, the Pirates may look to move him to another position given their existing logjam in the outfield. Bell’s been primarily playing first base in Arizona, which may be where he ends up long term.

Daniel Robertson, A’s – Robertson emerged in a big way in 2014, batting .310/.402/.471 in 642 PA at High-A. His presence made it easier for the A’s to move Addison Russell in their efforts to strengthen the starting rotation mid-summer.

Byron Buxton, Twins – Unquestionably one of the top prospects in all of baseball, injuries hampered Buxton all season long. Appearing in just 31 games between High-A and Double-A he hit a collective .234/.307/.395 in 137 PA. Buxton jammed a finger during Monday’s game while making a diving catch. His status for Saturday’s game remains uncertain.

Dalton Pompey, Blue Jays – The 21 year old began the year at High-A and finished it in Toronto. Talk about exceeding expectations. Pompey batted a collective .317/.392/.469 in 500 PA in the minor leagues, adding 43 SB and 52 walks. Hardly considered one of the game’s top prospects at the start of the season, it seems clear that Pompey will figure into Toronto’s plans as soon as next season.