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Orioles Hopefuls Fly West For Winter
By David Byron
Although the Orioles finished last in the AL East, the organization did see some improvements down on the farm in 2011.
One of the best ways to evaluate a major league organization is to look at the accomplishments of its minor leaguers, and there were some bright spots for Orioles affiliates this season. The Frederick Keys (80-59) won the Mills Cup. The Bowie Baysox (75-66) also had a winning record, but the Norfolk Tides (56-87), Delmarva Shorebirds (55-85) and Aberdeen Ironbirds (24-51) didn't fare quite as well.
Seven representatives from the Orioles are playing for the Mesa Solar Sox in the Arizona Fall League. Those players are pitcher Steve Johnson and reliever Cole McCurry from the Norfolk Tides; outfielder Xavier Avery, first baseman Joe Mahoney and pitcher Casey Lambert from the Bowie Baysox; and catcher Brian Ward and pitcher Sean Gleason from the Frederick Keys. Former Orioles farmhand Brett Jacobson (Minnesota Twins) was also selected to the Mesa Solar Sox.
The Arizona Fall League helps accelerate the development of MLB prospects, gives potential managers coaching experience and develops young umpires. It also provides scouts with more accessibility and reduces traveling distance for fans, because all the stadiums are within short driving distance.
The league started Oct. 4 and finishes with a championship game Nov. 19. Here are some other notes about the league from MLB.com:
• The 2011 campaign will be the 20th season of the Arizona Fall League.
• There are 38 games in the season. Each team will play 19 home games and 10 night games.
• There are 180 players in the Arizona Fall League.
• Two divisions, East and West, comprise the league.
• The league has six teams: the Scottsdale Scorpions, Mesa Solar Sox, Salt City Rafters, Phoenix Desert Dogs, Peoria Javelinas and Surprise Saguaros. The teams' unique names are meant to pay homage to the culture of the Southwest.
Each major league team will send six of its top prospects to the Fall League.
In August, major league teams hold a position draft to select which players will play in the AFL. Typically, teams choose Triple-A or Double-A players only, but each team does have the option of choosing a Single-A player.
The games are played at the spring training stadiums of MLB teams such as the San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs, Oakland Athletics, Kansas City Royals, Texas Rangers, Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies.
Tickets are general admission and cost $7 for adults and $6 for children and seniors. Individual season passes cost $75 for senior citizens, $85 for adults and $115 for a family package.
The Rising Stars Game is set for Saturday, Nov. 5.
The list of former Fall League players includes 169 All-Stars, three Cy Young Award winners, nine MVPs, three World Series MVPs, 20 Rookie of the Year candidates, 46 Gold Glove award winners, 28 managers and 37 umpires. Players such as Chris Carpenter, Jermaine Dye, David Eckstein, Roy Halladay, Josh Hamilton, Ryan Howard, Derek Jeter, Joe Mauer, Albert Pujols, Jimmy Rollins and Joey Votto all spent time in the AFL before they joined the major leagues.
To catch all the Fall League action, fans can log on to MLB.com.
Issue 166: October 2011 |
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