MLB.com and Baseball America released their rankings of the top 20 prospects in the recently completed Arizona Fall League. Kris Bryant, Albert Almora and Jorge Soler cracked the top 20 in both lists and created quite the buzz in Arizona this fall.
Kris Bryant was named the league’s MVP prior to last Saturday’s championship game and took home the Joe Black Award after posting a .364/.457/.727 line with eight doubles, one triple, six home runs, 17 RBI, 14 walks and a 1.184 OPS in 20 games.
All three prospects picked up valuable development time in the AFL that was missed during the minor league season.
MLB.com
Byron Buxton, the best prospect in the game, topped MLB.com’s list of the top prospects in the AFL. Kris Bryant followed at number two. Albert Almora was ranked tenth and it was pointed out that Almora was the second youngest player to participate in the Arizona Fall League. Almora is 19 years old but did not play like a teenager. Almora does not turn 20 until April 16. Jorge Soler came in at no. 13 on MLB.com’s ranking. Soler “has top-of-the-scale raw power that rivals that of any AFL player.” Soler has the tools, just needs to work on focusing on daily basis.
MLB.com Top 20 AFL Prospects
- Byron Buxton, OF (Twins)
- Kris Bryant, 3B (Cubs)
- Addison Russell, SS (Athletics)
- Aaron Sanchez, RHP (Blue Jays)
- Alex Meyer, RHP (Twins)
- Austin Hedges, C (Padres)
- Andrew Heaney, LHP (Marlins)
- Jorge Alfaro, C (Rangers)
- Kyle Crick, RHP (Giants)
- Albert Almora, OF (Cubs)
- Corey Seager, SS (Dodgers)
- Marcus Stroman, RHP (Blue Jays)
- Jorge Soler, OF (Cubs)
- Colin Moran, 3B (Marlins)
- C.J. Cron, 1B (Angels)
- Garin Cecchini, 3B (Red Sox)
- Delino DeShields Jr., OF (Astros)
- Stephen Piscotty, OF (Cardinals
- Mookie Betts, 2B (Red Sox)
- Tyler Naquin, OF (Indians)
Baseball America
According to the report from Bill Mitchell, this year’s AFL “boasted one of the stronger crops of prospects in the league’s 22-year history, with starting pitching being much deeper than usual.”
Baseball America ranked Kris Bryant as the third best prospect in the AFL. Bryant has “explosive bat speed, easy power to all fields and a good approach at the plate.” Bryant does have holes in his swing “that will need refinement.” Bryant’s plus-arm and athleticism “will allow him to move to an outfield corner” if he moves off third base at some point.
Albert Almora made BA’s list as the 11th best prospect in the AFL. Almora “wows scouts more with excellent baseball instincts, a solid work ethic and off-the charts makeup than with plus tools.” Almora makes good contact and is a “plus defender in centerfield with plus-plus range because of instincts despite modest speed.”
Jorge Soler checked in at no. 20 on Baseball America’s list. Soler has “plenty of tools, raw power and good size, there’s also a lot of swing-and-miss at the plate and inconsistent effort on the field.” Soler has “tremendous bat speed and runs well when healthy.” Soler has a big future according to BA, “if he puts it together.”
Baseball America’s Top 20 AFL Prospects
- Bryon Buxton, OF (Twins)
- Addison Russell, SS (Athletics)
- Kris Bryant, 3B (Cubs)
- Alex Meyer, RHP (Twins)
- Austin Hedges, C (Padres)
- Jorge Alfaro, C (Rangers)
- Aaron Sanchez, RHP (Blue Jays)
- Andrew Heaney, LHP (Marlins)
- Marcus Stroman, RHP (Blue Jays)
- Kyle Crick, RHP (Giants)
- Albert Almora, OF (Cubs)
- Drew Hutchinson, RHP (Blue Jays)
- Colin Moran, 3B (Marlins)
- Matt Purke, LHP (Nationals)
- Kyle Parker, 1B/OF (Rockies)
- C.J. Cron, 1B (Angels)
- Mookie Betts, 2B (Red Sox)
- Corey Seager, SS (Dodgers)
- Eduardo Rodriguez, LHP (Orioles)
- Jorge Soler, OF (Cubs)
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