The Arizona Diamondbacks will send three position players and four pitchers to the Arizona Fall League this year, where they will be managed by Diamondbacks third base coach and former Tucson manager Chip Hale.
"I think this is as strong a group we've ever sent to the Fall League," said
Diamondbacks Director of Player Development A.J. Hinch.
Here are brief
bios of the seven selections:
SP Max Scherzer
Scherzer was an obvious call for the AFL, since labored contract negotiations
prevented Scherzer from playing until May this year after being taken in the
first round of the 2006 draft. Scherzer has been hit-and-miss at Double-A
after having initially dominated Hi-A Visalia to the tune of 2-0 0.53 ERA in
three starts. The AFL gives the Boras client a chance to further challenge
himself against even tougher competition.
SP Esmerling Vasquez
According to A.J. Hinch, Vasquez has the best curveball in the Diamondbacks'
farm system. He has put it to good use this year by going 10-5 with a 3.05
ERA for the BayBears so far. This is the most surprising selection of the
seven, however, since Vasquez has already logged 158 innings this year.
SP Greg Smith
We ranked Smith as the 5th best prospect in the Diamondbacks
Organization just ahead of Micah Owings in our
FutureBacks Fifty last
offseason. Hinch pegged Smith as the Diamondbacks prospect with the best
changeup before they traded for Leo Rosales. Having begun the year in
extended spring training, Smith earned a promotion to Tucson at midseason.
He will take this AFL opportunity to log some more innings and dazzle the
organization with his pitching know-how in the hopes of landing a spot in the
Diamondbacks' 2007 rotation.
RP Mark Rosen
Rosen snuck up on a lot of people this year because of his inflated ERA at
Lancaster in 2006. This southpaw has proven that he can do more than get
fellow lefties out; he has seven saves this year to go along with a 3.08 ERA.
Rosen is being fast-tracked to the majors as the best in-house candidate to join
Doug Slated as a lefty in the Diamondbacks bullpen.
OF Aaron Cunningham
Cunningham has done nothing but hit since he came over from the White Sox
organization in the Danny Richar trade. His totals for the season include
a .305 batting average and 51 extra base hits. Having split time at all
three outfield spots this year, Cunningham will continue to get comfortable in
each position.
C Josh Ford
Ford may be the best all-around defensive catcher in the Diamondbacks'
system. Hinch called him the second best at calling a game only to Robbie
Hammock, who's hardly a prospect anymore, and put him just a hair behind
teammate Wilkin Castillo in terms of a throwing arm. Ford should work
primarily on improving his hitting in the AFL.
C/IF Wilkin Castillo
The athletic Castillo has shown surprising flashes of offensive prowess this
year. He has also played games at second base, third base, shortstop, and
right field this year. With Ford handling most of the catching duties,
look for Castillo to improve his skills as an infielder. The
switch-hitting utility man has an impressive 17 stolen bases this season, but
that total is marred by 14 caught stealings.