Arizona Fall League

[DirtySox]

I don't believe a thread was ever made when the AFL rosters were announced. Games begin October 12th, and the following Sox farmhands are on the Peoria Saguaros roster:

-Anthony Carter
-Johnny Lowe
-Charlie Leesman
-Henry Mabee
-Josh Phegley
-Eduardo Escobar
-Jared Mitchell


Mitchell is obviously the big name involved, but Phegley, Escobar, and Leesman are also ones to keep an eye on. Not an inspiring list aside from Jared, but this shouldn't be a surprise to those that follow the White Sox minor leagues.

[JermaineDye05]

Hopefully Jared can still get up the line quickly.

[Domeshot17]

Why waste the time sending Phegley? Our farm is just terrible.

[doublem23]

Originally Posted by Domeshot17

Why waste the time sending Phegley? Our farm is just terrible.

Wouldn't hurt to get the kid some PT since he missed most of the year with that bizarre blood ailment.

[DirtySox]

Originally Posted by Domeshot17

Why waste the time sending Phegley? Our farm is just terrible.

Eh. He wasn't horrible in Birmingham. I don't think much of him, but it's not like there is anyone better to send really.

[russ99]

Originally Posted by Domeshot17

Why waste the time sending Phegley? Our farm is just terrible.

The whole point of the Fall League is to push guys to reach the next level. As if the Sox will cry "our farm sucks" and not send anyone...

Leesman is our next long-track starter prospect, Carter is being groomed to close, and Escobar looks like he could have a high ceiling.

Any playing time for Mitchell this year will help him tremendously.

Can't hurt Phegley to get some time against better prospects either. I have more hope for him as our next catcher than Flowers.

[Pablo_Honey]

Originally Posted by Domeshot17

Why waste the time sending Phegley? Our farm is just terrible.

Well we gotta send somebody and Phegley missed some significant playing time this year just like Mitchell. I think it's the right move to give the kid more playing time. Afterall, we took this kid in the sup round so might as well try to make the best of it.

Originally Posted by russ99

Can't hurt Phegley to get some time against better prospects either. I have more hope for him as our next catcher than Flowers.

Hmm, from everything I've seen about Phegley, the impression I get was that he is Flowers-lite, having skillsets that are either equal to or below average than Flowers. The kid strikes out a TON while drawing very few walks. Sure, Flowers sucked this year but this is his first down year in the minor leagues and he's shown good plate discipline up until this year. IMHO, Flowers is better than Phegley but that's really not saying much (Oh how sad our farm system is...)

[DirtySox]

Originally Posted by Pablo_Honey

Hmm, from everything I've seen about Phegley, the impression I get was that he is Flowers-lite, having skillsets that are either equal to or below average than Flowers. The kid strikes out a TON while drawing very few walks. Sure, Flowers sucked this year but this is his first down year in the minor leagues and he's shown good plate discipline up until this year. IMHO, Flowers is better than Phegley but that's really not saying much (Oh how sad our farm system is...)

For catchers, keep an eye on Mike Blanke (if you aren't already). BA had him as #7 in their list of Top 20 Pioneer league prospects. (Reed was 8, Royse was 19)

The article essentially notes:

He was drafted in 14th round because of his defense and maturity, but he would have gone much earlier if teams had any idea that he would show plus power, arm strength and good receiving skills.

He makes solid contact and uses the entire field in his approach. He struggles with inside pitches, but he projects as an average hitter with 15-20 home run pop, with his arm being his best tool.

Obviously he needs to face more age appropriate competition now, but he will be interesting to follow.

[russ99]

I hate to bring this up, but seems to me Flowers early years with the Braves and his PED suspension mesh up a bit more than we'd like it to.

His performance last two seasons have not dissuaded that notion, though granted that's at a higher level.

Phegley may take more time to develop, but I still think he'll end a better catcher.

[Pablo_Honey]

Originally Posted by DirtySox

For catchers, keep an eye on Mike Blanke (if you aren't already). BA had him as #7 in their list of Top 20 Pioneer league prospects. (Reed was 8, Royse was 19)

The article essentially notes:

He was drafted in 14th round because of his defense and maturity, but he would have gone much earlier if teams had any idea that he would show plus power, arm strength and good receiving skills.

He makes solid contact and uses the entire field in his approach. He struggles with inside pitches, but he projects as an average hitter with 15-20 home run pop, with his arm being his best tool.

Obviously he needs to face more age appropriate competition now, but he will be interesting to follow.

Interesting. He sounds like an intriguing one to keep track of, kinda like Miguel Gonzalez from last year. Well, hopefully, Blanke doesn't tank it next year like Gonzalez did. Thank you for telling me. I wasn't really paying attention to BA's league rankings so I didn't know about him.

Originally Posted by russ99

I hate to bring this up, but seems to me Flowers early years with the Braves and his PED suspension mesh up a bit more than we'd like it to.

His performance last two seasons have not dissuaded that notion, though granted that's at a higher level.

Phegley may take more time to develop, but I still think he'll end a better catcher.

Fair point. I don't know what to think about steroids anymore. It seems that steroids get brought up every time somebody performs well after performing badly throughout career, or vice versa. I really wish there was a clear explanation to all things about steroids, but I digress.

As for Phegley, maybe it's the fact that he was an overdraft and performed poorly so far, but I am really not high on him at all. Obviously I can't be too hard on him for this season because he was sick for the majority of it. Having said that, this kid's selling card was being an advanced college hitter, so he better start working his magic fast.

[rdivaldi]

Originally Posted by Domeshot17

Why waste the time sending Phegley? Our farm is just terrible.

You gotta be kidding me. You obviously have never seen Phegley play, he has a ton of talent.

[cards press box]

Originally Posted by JermaineDye05

Hopefully Jared can still get up the line quickly.

I agree. The MLB Network has telecast some AZ Fall League games and I hope to see Jared Mitchell play.

[Domeshot17]

Originally Posted by rdivaldi

You gotta be kidding me. You obviously have never seen Phegley play, he has a ton of talent.

Not a fan at all, I will be shocked if the kid ever sees any real time in the bigs. It is a damn shame we passed on Tanner Scheppers to take him. Typical easy sign pick.

I heard all the same stuff about Poreda. Kid had so much talent, was gonna be huge, wasn't a cheap pick etc. I expect similar results at a different position.

[Bucky F. Dent]

Looking forward to seeing how Mitchell has rebounded from his injury. C'mon, Jared!!!!!

[DirtySox]

Games begin today. Saguaros play later this evening and can be followed on gameday.