Top Prospects: Arizona Fall League Rosters Announced

The Arizona Fall League has turned into a showcase of elite level prospects each year, and with the 2014 rosters announced last week, this year will be no exception. While a number of the players are already extremely well known, there are also some under the radar names worth checking out in deeper formats.

Glendale Desert Dogs (Full Roster)

Organizations: Orioles, Tigers, White Sox, Dodgers, Brewers
Top 50 Midseason Prospects: Tim Anderson (#42), Corey Seager (#12)

Steven Moya, OF, Detroit Tigers

Moya is already on the Tigers' 40-man roster, and will finish atop the leaderboard in home runs for the Eastern League and currently fourth in the minor leagues with 35. I am very curious how he handles the competition there, as there have been question marks about his ability to cut down on strikeouts (29% this year). The power potential is high, but only if he can make enough contact to let it play in games.

Rangel Ravelo, 1B, Chicago White Sox

Ravelo doesn't get a lot of recognition as a fantasy prospect because of the limited defensive profile, but with an excellent eye at the plate (10% walk rate against just 14% strikeout rate) and good power production (11 home runs, 37 doubles). He's an interesting deep format sleeper, although he will likely need a trade to end up playing as a first baseman with the White Sox.

Peoria Javelinas (Full Roster)

Organizations: Braves, Indians, Royals, Cardinals, Rays
Top 50 Midseason Prospects: None

Bubba Starling, OF, Kansas City Royals

It's possible that Starling still develops into the player that made him the #5 overall pick in what has turned out to be an absolutely loaded 2011 draft, and a strong performance in Arizona would go along way toward that. He did show some signs of life in July (.287/.350/.468, 4 HR, 3 SB), but we'll need to see more before that happens.

Kyle Wren, OF, Atlanta Braves

While he is the son of current Braves' general Manager Frank Wren, Kyle is a prospect in his own right. He has a leadoff profile long term, as he's never going to provide much power, but can provide speed (46 steals this year in 130 games) and a solid batting average.

Scottsdale Scorpions (Full Roster)

Organizations: Mets, Yankees, Phillies, Pirates, Giants
Top 50 Midseason Prospects: Josh Bell (#31), Tyler Glasnow (#29)

Aaron Judge, OF, New York Yankees

Judge is a mountain of a man at 6'7", and has shown elite power potential and an excellent eye at the plate between Low and High-A this year. The potential is there for a 30+ home run bat, and he could move into the top 50 prospect list if the reports on his hit tool end up in line with how he has performed so far.

Roman Quinn, OF, Philadelphia Phillies

Quinn was well on his way to being a top 100 fantasy prospect last year on his stolen base potential when a hamstring injury ended his season, and put into doubt his long-term value. He has since switched from shortstop to the outfield, but has returned to High-A and stole 31 bases in 87 games. He won't need to hit for a particularly high average to provide fantasy value long-term, but until we see him do it at AA and for a full season worth of games, it will be a lot of what could be.

Mesa Solar Sox (Full Roster)

Organizations: Cubs, Angels, Athletics, Blue Jays, Nationals
Top 50 Midseason Prospects: Addison Russell (#6)

Daniel Robertson, SS, Oakland Athletics

Robertson is now likely the top prospect in the Athletics' system, but it's not just the best of a bunch of bad prospects. Robertson has hit well this year in the California League, providing a high batting average and decent power to go with a defensive profile that should allow him to stay at shortstop for at least a few years.

C.J. Edwards, RHP, Chicago Cubs

Edwards missed parts of the year due to injuries, but has returned to AA and pitched just as well as last year ever since. He will be in Arizona to help make up for some of the lost development time, and could be in line for a shot at the starting rotation in 2015.

Salt River Rafters (Full Roster)

Organizations: Diamondbacks, Rockies, Astros, Marlins, Twins
Top 50 Midseason Prospects: Mark Appel (#43), Archie Bradley (#14), Byron Buxton (#2)

Rio Ruiz, 3B, Houston Astros

Ruiz was one of the beneficiaries of the Astros' decision to take Carlos Correa rather than Byron Buxton in the 2012 draft, but he has emerged in his own right in a system full of top prospects. Ruiz is expected to provide both a solid batting average along with good power potential, and should push the Astros to keep the newly acquired Colin Moran moving upward as well.

Eddie Rosario, OF, Minnesota Twins

It's been a rough year and a half for the Twins' prospect, who went from looking like the long-term answer at second base for the Twins to potentially being pushed out of the picture entirely as he lost development time. He will look to re-establish his value some, and could be a trade chip for the Twins if he shows he can hit enough to hold down a corner outfield spot.

Surprise Saguaros (Full Roster)

Organizations: Red Sox, Reds, Padres, Mariners, Rangers
Top 50 Midseason Prospects: Jesse Winker (#45)

Nick Williams, OF, Texas Rangers

Williams was one of my last cuts from my midseason top 50 list, as he should hit for a high average and provide solid power production from a corner outfield spot. He was recently promoted to AA, and could be in Texas before the end of the 2015 season.

Trea Turner, SS, San Diego Padres

Turner was the Padres' top draft pick this year, and is capable of providing both a high batting average and excellent speed from the shortstop position. As a college bat it's possible we see him in San Diego before the end of next season, but 2016 is a more likely timeframe for the NC State product.