Arizona Fall League
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Makeup of the AFL
There are six teams in the Arizona Fall League: the Scottsdale Scorpions, Mesa Solar Sox, Peoria Saguaros, Phoenix Desert Dogs, Peoria Javelinas and Grand Canyon Rafters. These club names were picked by Major League Baseball as reflective of the Southwestern desert traditions in the state.
The teams are broken into two divisions, East and West. Each Major League Baseball team sends six top prospects to the Arizona Fall League, 180 players in all. The games are played in the Spring Training stadiums used by the Giants, Mariners, Padres, Cubs, A's, Royals and Rangers.
How good are the players in the Arizona Fall League? The 2006 All-Star Game in Pittsburgh featured 25 AFL alums, including first-time All-Stars David Wright, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard.
Each August, Major League clubs hold a position draft to determine the players who will go to Arizona. Most are Double-A and Triple-A Minor League players. Each club can opt to send one player considered a Class A player.
History of the League
The roots of the Arizona Fall League go back several years, when the Major Leagues wanted to create an easily accessed off-season league. A concern was that some of the best ballplayers left to play winter ball out of the country, such as in the Caribbean and there was no way to monitor them.
If Major League Baseball created a league that it could govern and monitor, it would be better organized. If a player was injured, proper care and treatment would be on hand. With the Arizona Fall League, managers, coaches, scouts and league officials could participate.
"That was the beauty of this," says Steve Cobb, AFL executive vice president, "and that seemed to be one of the unifying factors for all the clubs. They created a Fall League where all of their personnel would be involved, with reduced travel and immediate accessibility on the part of scouting."
As the regular season winds down and all eyes are on the postseason, the Fall League is getting ready to begin. The two-month experience sharpens skills and gets players ready to participate in the big leagues.
Baseball Benefits off the Field
"There's a two-pronged mission to the AFL," Cobb says. "One is for the players to accelerate, and hopefully jump a classification. The other is for the managers and umpires to develop. For those who aspire to be Major League managers, this is a place to gain additional experience. The AFL provides employment opportunity to enhance managers' and coaches' skills ... Dusty Baker is a good example of a field manager who had not had managerial experience until he had managed here in '92 for some seasoning. Then he became the field manager of the Giants for a decade and now the Cubs. And he was the National League Manager of the Year three times -- 1993, 1997 and 2000.
"The umpires come from the Umpire Development Program," says Cobb. "And again, this league is for their development as well.
"We've had considerable success with working through (college) sports management programs," Cobb adds. "People have gained some baseball experience here in the Phoenix market, from working in the AFL. We have been able to enhance many interns' careers. The Arizona Fall League is unique in the industry."
The Games
Given the top prospects who play here, every game in the AFL is like a future All-Star Game. It's a definite destination for baseball fans and families who want to see great action on the diamond. "These are all the Spring Training sites, first-class facilities," Cobb says. "The playing surfaces are outstanding."
A day or night at a game is affordable: $6 for an adult and $5 for kids and seniors, and you can sit anywhere you want. The AFL sells individual season passes ($65 for seniors, $75 for adults), and a family pass (for up to six people, $105). That means you can go to as many games as you'd like.
Another benefit of the Arizona Fall League is that all five stadiums are within a short driving distance. Most stadiums are within minutes of each other. "It is very condensed," Cobb says. "That's one of the beauties of Arizona versus Florida, quite honestly. Florida has some wonderful ball parks, but there's some pretty lengthy driving in between."
With the Minor League Baseball season over and the Major League postseason getting started soon, baseball action can continue a few more months: the AFL championship game is in mid November.
Eligibility Rules
The eligibility rules to play in the AFL are simple.
The roster size is 30 players per team.
Each Major League organization is required to provide six players subject to the following requirements:
- All Triple-A and Double-A players are eligible, provided the players are on at least a Double-A level roster no later than Aug. 1.
- One player below the Double-A level is allowed per Major League team.
- One foreign player is allowed, as long as the player does not reside in a country that participates in winter ball, as part of the Caribbean Confederation or the Australian winter league.
- No players with more than one year of credited Major League service as of August 31 are eligible, except a team may select one player picked in the most recently concluded Major League Rule 5 Draft.
- To be eligible, players on Minor League disabled lists must be activated at least 45 days before the conclusion of their respective seasons.
Source: MinorLeagueBaseball.com
Notable AFL Alumni
1992
- Jeromy Burnitz - Scottsdale (Mets)
- Carl Everett - Phoenix (Yankees)
- Scott Hatteberg - Scottsdale (Red Sox)
- Ryan Klesko - Grand Canyon (Braves)
- Mike Lansing - Grand Canyon (Expos)
- Al Martin - Phoenix (Pirates)
- Troy Percival - Scottsdale (Angels)
- Mike Piazza - Scottsdale (Dodgers)
1993
- Garrett Anderson - Scottsdale (Angels)
- Rich Aurilia - Tucson (Rangers)
- Greg Blosser - Mesa (Red Sox)
- Joe Borowski - Tucson (Orioles)
- Paul Byrd - Scottsdale (Indians)
- Jeff Cirillo - Chandler (Brewers)
- Cliff Floyd - Tempe (Expos)
- Shawn Green - Scottsdale (Blue Jays)
- Scott Hatteberg - Mesa (Red Sox)
- Derek Lowe - Scottsdale (Mariners)
- Tanyon Sturtze - Scottsdale (Athletics)
1994
- Garrett Anderson - Tempe (Angels)
- Rich Aurilia - Tempe (Rangers)
- Joe Borowski - Scottsdale (Orioles)
- Tony Clark - Tempe (Tigers)
- Alan Embree - Scottsdale (Indians)
- Nomar Garciaparra - Scottsdale (Red Sox)
- Jason Giambi - Peoria (Athletics)
- Tony Graffanino - Mesa (Braves)
- Derek Jeter - Chandler (Yankees)
- Jason Kendall - Chandler (Pirates)
- Mike Myers - Chandler (Marlins)
- Phil Nevin - Mesa (Astros)
- Curtis Pride - Mesa (Expos)
1995
- Rich Aurilia - Scottsdale (Giants)
- Aaron Boone - Mesa (Reds)
- Frank Catalanotto - Scottsdale (Tigers)
- Craig Counsell - Scottsdale (Rockies)
- Johnny Damon - Scottsdale (Royals)
- Jermaine Dye - Scottsdale (Braves)
- Darin Erstad - Tempe (Angels)
- LaTroy Hawkins - Peoria (Twins)
- Jason Kendall - Phoenix (Pirates)
- Derrek Lee - Scottsdale (Padres)
- Derek Lowe - Peoria (Mariners)
- Lou Merloni - Phoenix (Red Sox)
- Mike Myers - Scottsdale (Tigers)
- Trot Nixon - Phoenix (Red Sox)
- Pokey Reese - Mesa (Reds)
- Tanyon Sturtze - Mesa (Athletics)
- Jason Varitek - Peoria (Mariners)
1996
- Aaron Boone - Scottsdale (Reds)
- Chris Carpenter - Phoenix (Blue Jays)
- Tony Graffanino - Tempe (Braves)
- Todd Helton - Peoria (Rockies)
- Raul Ibanez - Peoria (Mariners)
- Paul Konerko - Scottsdale (Dodgers)
- Derrek Lee - Scottsdale (Padres)
- Paul LoDuca - Scottsdale (Dodgers)
- Doug Mirabelli - Scottsdale (Giants)
- Richie Sexson - Scottsdale (Indians)
- Mike Sweeney - Scottsdale (Royals)
- Jason Varitek - Peoria (Mariners)
1997
- Mark Bellhorn - Phoenix (Athletics)
- Greg Blosser - Scottsdale (Devil Rays)
- Aaron Boone - Scottsdale (Reds)
- Emil Brown - Grand Canyon (Pirates)
- Orlando Cabrera - Peoria (Expos)
- Sean Casey - Mesa (Indians)
- Frank Catalanotto - Grand Canyon (Tigers)
- Paul LoDuca - Peoria (Dodgers)
- John Rocker - Grand Canyon (Braves)
1998
- Michael Barrett - Scottsdale (Expos)
- Mark Bellhorn - Peoria (Athletics)
- Eric Chavez - Peoria (Athletics)
- J.D. Drew - Peoria (Cardinals)
- Morgan Ensberg - Grand Canyon (Astros)
- Roy Halladay - Grand Canyon (Blue Jays)
- Shea Hillenbrand - Grand Canyon (Red Sox)
- Torii Hunter - Phoenix (Twins)
- Gabe Kapler - Phoenix (Tigers)
- Julio Lugo - Maryvale (Astros)
- Doug Mientkiewicz - Phoenix (Twins)
- Alfonso Soriano - Scottsdale (Yankees)
1999
- Milton Bradley - Phoenix (Expos)
- Pat Burrell - Peoria (Phillies)
- Paxton Crawford - Mesa (Red Sox)
- Doug Davis - Mesa (Rangers)
- David Eckstein - Mesa (Red Sox)
- Aubrey Huff - Maryvale (Devil Rays)
- Paul LoDuca - Peoria (Dodgers)
- Brad Penny - Scottsdale (Marlins)
- Vernon Wells - Peoria (Blue Jays)
2000
- Ben Broussard - Grand Canyon (Reds)
- Chris Capuano - Scottsdale (Diamondbacks)
- Brady Clark - Grand Canyon (Reds)
- Joe Crede - Phoenix (White Sox)
- Johnny Estrada - Maryvale (Phillies)
- Casey Fossum - Phoenix (Red Sox)
- Shea Hillenbrand - Phoenix (Red Sox)
- Brandon Inge - Scottsdale (Tigers)
- Brad Lidge - Maryvale (Astros)
- Albert Pujols - Scottsdale (Cardinals)
- Jimmy Rollins - Maryvale (Phillies)
2001
- Jeremy Affeldt - Scottsdale (Royals)
- Josh Bard - Scottsdale (Rockies)
- Eric Bedard - Maryvale (Orioles)
- Hank Blalock - Peoria (Rangers)
- Chris Capuano - Scottsdale (Diamondbacks)
- Carl Crawford - Maryvale (Devil Rays)
- Chone Figgins - Peoria (Angels)
- Mike Gonzalez - Maryvale (Pirates)
- Travis Hafner - Peoria (Rangers)
- Bill Hall - Maryvale (Brewers)
- Orlando Hudson - Scottsdale (Blue Jays)
- Bobby Jenks - Peoria (Angels)
- Austin Kearns - Grand Canyon (Reds)
- Francisco Rodriguez - Peoria (Angels)
- Freddy Sanchez - Grand Canyon (Red Sox)
2002
- Garrett Atkins - Mesa (Rockies)
- Rocco Baldelli - Grand Canyon (Devil Rays)
- Jorge Cantu - Grand Canyon (Devil Rays)
- Bobby Crosby - Phoenix (Athletics)
- Chone Figgins - Scottsdale (Angels)
- Mike Gonzalez - Phoenix (Pirates)
- Bill Hall - Maryvale (Brewers)
- Matt Holliday - Mesa (Rockies)
- Bobby Jenks - Scottsdale (Angels)
- Ryan Langerhans - Grand Canyon (Braves)
- Wily Mo Pena - Scottsdale (Reds)
- Brandon Webb - Scottsdale (Diamondbacks)
- Kevin Youkilis - Scottsdale (Red Sox)
2003
- Reggie Abercrombie - Scottsdale (Dodgers)
- Garrett Atkins - USA (Rockies)
- Lenny Dinardo - Peoria (Mets)
- Jonny Gomes - Mesa (Devil Rays)
- Adrian Gonzalez - Peoria (Rangers)
- Brad Hawpe - Mesa (Rockies)
- Matt Holliday - Mesa (Rockies)
- Joe Mauer - USA (Twins)
- Grady Sizemore - USA (Indians)
- Nick Swisher - Mesa (Athletics)
- B.J. Upton - Mesa (Devil Rays)
- Adam Wainwright - USA (Braves)
- Rickie Weeks - Peoria (Brewers)
- David Wright - Peoria (Mets)
- Chris Young - Peoria (Expos)
2004
- Josh Barfield - Peoria (Padres)
- Jesse Crain - Grand Canyon (Twins)
- Jeff Francoeur - Grand Canyon (Braves)
- Kason Gabbard - Peoria (Red Sox)
- Ryan Howard - Phoenix (Phillies)
- Conor Jackson - Scottsdale (Diamondbacks)
- Ian Kinsler - Peoria (Rangers)
- Russell Martin - Scottsdale (Dodgers)
- Brian McCann - Grand Canyon (Braves)
- Freddy Sanchez - Peoria (Pirates)
- Huston Street - Phoenix (Athletics)
- Adam Wainwright - Mesa (Braves)
- Rickie Weeks - Scottsdale (Brewers)
2005
- Reggie Abercrombie - Grand Canyon (Marlins)
- Craig Breslow - Peoria (Padres)
- Chris Denorfia - Mesa (Reds)
- Stephen Drew - Phoenix (Diamondbacks)
- Andre Ethier - Phoenix (Athletics)
- Prince Fielder - Peoria (Brewers)
- Ryan Garko - Mesa (Indians)
- Matt Kemp - Phoenix (Dodgers)
- Howie Kendrick - Surprise (Angels)
- George Kottaras - Peoria (Padres)
- James Loney - Phoenix (Dodgers)
- Lastings Milledge - Grand Canyon (Mets)
- Brandon Moss - Peoria (Red Sox)
- David Murphy - Peoria (Red Sox)
- Matt Murton - Mesa (Cubs)
- Taylor Tankersly - Grand Canyon (Marlins)
- Dan Uggla - Peoria (Diamondbacks)
- Jered Weaver - Surprise (Angels)
- Ryan Zimmerman - Peoria (Nationals)
2006
- Lenny DiNardo - Peoria (Red Sox)
- Jacoby Ellsbury - Peoria (Red Sox)
- David Pauley - Peoria (Red Sox)
- Troy Tulowitzki - Grand Canyon (Rockies)
- Ben Zobrist - Phoenix (Devil Rays)
AFL Hall of Fame Members
2001 inductees
- Nomar Garciaparra
- Derek Jeter
- Mike Piazza
- Dusty Baker - manager
2002 inductees
- Jason Giambi
- Jerry Manuel - manager
2003 inductees
- Shawn Green
- Todd Helton
- Mike Scioscia - manager
2004 inductees
- Garret Anderson
- Albert Pujols
- Tony Pena - manager
2005 inductees
- Troy Percival
- Terry Francona - manager
2006 inductees
- Roy Halladay
- Alfonso Soriano
- Grady Little - manager
