Just when you thought the only baseball going on is The World Series. The boys of summer have moved to Arizona. The Arizona Fall League (AFL) is underway and there are several Cubs playing for the Mesa Solar Sox, including Matt Murton. The AFL was developed to give Major League Players a place to go and play winter ball without leaving the country. Several current Major League stars (there were 23 AFL alums on the 2005 All Star Roster) have played in the AFL, including Albert Pujols.The teams send 6 of their top prospects to participate in the league.
The Cubs sent the following prospects:
John Koronka (P)
Matt Murton (OF)
David Aardsma (P)
Eric Patterson (2B)
Brandon Sing (1B)
Buck Coats (SS)
Angel Guzman (P)
John Koronka has been converted from a starter to a reliever. He has at least 1 strikeout in all 5 of his appearances and has yet to give up a run.
Brandon Sing, who usually is a first baseman, has been used as a DH and is hitting .320.
Matt Murton has continued hitting on every level. Murton is hitting .424 with 8 doubles in Arizona.
The other Cubs in attendance have contributed, but not to the extent that Koronka, Sing and Murton have.
I really think the performance of Koronka and Murton will lead to these two making the big league roster out of Spring Training in 2006.
Will keep you posted on their progress.