Arizona Diamondbacks: Expectations for the Arizona Fall League

Given the Arizona Diamondbacks’ success of this past season, don’t expect current players in the Fall League to lace their spikes in Chase Field in the near future.

Playing in small towns and overlooked by most pundits, prospects from the Arizona Diamondbacks’ organization in the Arizona Fall League are likely going through a transition.

That would be in the demonstration of skills before a few thousand loyalists in minor league parks to showcasing talent against prospects destined for the major leagues. Now, those players are under a defined microscope, and it’s where scouts tend to outnumber fans in the stands around the Arizona Fall League.

Still, there are reasons why certain players are selected for this level and why the Fall League is considered “the graduate school” for prospects. Expect for a few highly-regarded players, like Ronald Acuna of the Atlanta Braves, outfielder Kyle Tucker of the World Champion Astros, and catcher/infielder Francisco Mejia of Cleveland, few draw attention except from those with clipboards and seated directly behind home plate.

For each organization, this is really a time of evaluation. While top prospects hone skills in preparation of moving into a line-up at the major-league level, most are here to fill rosters and essentially look important. Above all, it’s a period where the method of analytics ramps up, and forms are completed at a near-feverish pitch.

More from Arizona Diamondbacks

The Diamondbacks are no different.

Among the six Arizona players who are part of the Salt River Rafters (representatives from the Brewers, Marlins, Orioles and Rockies make up the reminder of the Salt River roster), none are expected to compete for a job on the 2018 major-league roster. Catcher Michael Perez and outfielder Victor Reyes may be could be considered long-shots, and that would likely be in a call-up situation during the season.

For now, the emphasis remains on player evaluation. That’s according to Salt River manager J. R. House, who managed the Diamondbacks’ Double-AA Jackson club this past season. Telling Call to the Pen he is always at the ready with a clipboard, the evaluation process is spilt between the interests of the Diamondbacks and the potential trade value of the player.

"“They are showing off for our organization and help us make decisions this off-season,” he said. “We’ll determine what will do with them, how we value each player and, where we will see them. It’s really important for them to put out their best game at this time. Even though it is October, November, we’re always looking at them. At the same time, it’s probably the most heavily they will be scouted since they have been drafted. There are other organizations they for which they need to perform as well and increase their value throughout the industry of baseball.”"

With the Fall League All-Star game this Saturday at Salt River Fields, the Diamondbacks spring home, Arizona has one representative. Left-hander Kirby Bellow, a 26^th round pick in the 2015 draft, sported a 0-0 record (3.00 ERA) in seven appearances through Thursday, is that lone selection.

Others from the Arizona organization on Salt River include infielder Jack Reinheimer (with Salt River for the second straight fall), catcher Perez, and pitchers Colin Porche and Ryan Atkinson.

Of the prospects, House points to the potential of Reyes, who hit .292 at Jackson this past season and swiped 18 bases for a player who is listed at 6-5.

"“Reyes is growing,” he told Call to the Pen. “He is a very hard worker and a great kid. He has an awesome make-up. It’s just a matter of him continuing to mature. At the plate, it’s more about plate discipline, pitch recognition, controlling the zone, and swinging at his pitch. He can find the barrel and able to put the ball in play. He has tools, he can run, steal bases, he can play the outfield. The biggest thing with him is becoming a more disciplined hitter.”"

Elsewhere …

After former bench coach Ron Gardenhire was named manager of the Detroit Tigers, the Diamondbacks selected Jerry Narron as the 2018 bench coach. During Gardenhire’s absence this past season for cancer treatment, Narron filled in next to manager Torey Lovullo.

Next: Martinez hires Scott Boras

Also, the Diamondbacks announced they will not renew the contract of coach/interpreter Ariel Prieto, who was essentially a baby-sitter for Yasmany Tomas. … Head athletic trainer Ken Crenshaw, going into his 13^th season with the team, was promoted into a new position of Director of Sports Medicine and Performance.

Home/Arizona Diamondbacks