Call to the pen
Fansided

Arizona Fall League kicks off 2018 season

By Benjamin Chase

MESA, AZ - NOVEMBER 07: Ronald Acuna #34 (ATL), Luis Urias #9 (SD), Lourdes Gurriel #21 (TOR) and Josh Tobias #13 of Peoria Javelinas (BOS) sit in the dugout in the Arizona Fall League game against the Mesa Solar Sox at Sloan Park on November 11, 2017 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
MESA, AZ - NOVEMBER 07: Ronald Acuna #34 (ATL), Luis Urias #9 (SD), Lourdes Gurriel #21 (TOR) and Josh Tobias #13 of Peoria Javelinas (BOS) sit in the dugout in the Arizona Fall League game against the Mesa Solar Sox at Sloan Park on November 11, 2017 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – JULY 15: Carter Kieboom #5 of Team USA bats during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Nationals Park on Sunday, July 15, 2018 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

Salt River Rafters

MLB affiliations: Diamondbacks, Rockies, Marlins, Twins, Nationals
Tommy Watkins, Manager
Dave Burba, Pitching Coach
Luis Ordaz/Shelley Duncan, Hitting Coaches

Pitchers (* = left-handed)
Adam Bray
Ben Braymer*
Ryan Castellani
Jon Duplantier
Tommy Eveld
Kevin Ginkel
Taylor Guilbeau*
Mitch Horacek*
Griffin Jax
Kyle Keller
Justin Lawrence
Hector Lujan
Tyler Mark
Jordan Mills*
Luis Reyes
Devin Smeltzer*
Chad Smith
Bo Takahashi
Jesus Tinoco
Jordan Yamamoto

Catchers
Tres Barrera
Renae Martinez
Dom Miroglio
Daulton Varsho

Infielders
Travis Blankenhorn
Bryson Brigman
Jazz Chisholm
Drew Ellis
Josh Fuentes
Carter Kieboom
Tyler Nevin
Jake Noll
Pavin Smith

Outfielders
Jaylin Davis
Monte Harrison
Sam Hilliard
Daniel Johnson
Brian Miller
Luke Raley
Brent Rooker

Prospects to watch

The pitching staff with Salt River may be without elite prospects, but the lineup will be exciting to watch. Carter Kieboom has become one of the top prospects in the entire game, and getting to see him in this group will be a fun experience as he’s been carrying his teams in the Nationals organization.

Instead, with the Rafters, he’ll have dynamic Diamondbacks infielder Jazz Chisholm, Twins mashing outfielder Brent Rooker, and athletic Diamondbacks catcher Daulton Varsho in support, as well as the player with arguably the most raw talent in the Arizona Fall League, outfielder Monte Harrison.

The pitching staff may not be well-known, but Jon Duplantier does give the staff a top-100 name that should be known. One guy to spotlight is Twins righty Griffin Jax, who is in the Arizona Fall League getting innings after spending time as an active duty military service member the past few seasons with the Twins. He could be one to follow, and if nothing else, he’s a fun one to cheer for.

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