Arizona Fall League Begins 16th Season
October 9, 2007 - Arizona Fall League (AzFL) News Release
Phoenix, Arizona - The Arizona Fall League, known throughout professional baseball as a "graduate school" for Major League Baseball's elite prospects, begins its 16th season on Tuesday, October 9th with three games, highlighted by a special ceremony honoring Fall League alumnus and St. Louis Cardinals star first baseman Albert Pujols prior to the 7:05 p.m. contest (Peoria Saguaros @ Scottsdale Scorpions) at Scottsdale Stadium.
Pujols, the 2005 National League MVP, six-time all-star, and member of the Fall League Hall of Fame, will be on hand as his Scottsdale Scorpion jersey no. 36 is retired and he is presented with a "Distinguished Alumni Award."
Pujols played in the 2000 Fall League on the eve of his spectacular major-league career. The following season, Pujols hit .329 with 37 home runs and 130 RBI for St. Louis en route to National League rookie-of-the-year honors. He since has become the only player in major-league history to hit 30 or more home runs in each of his first seven seasons. He also has posted seven consecutive 100RBI seasons to begin his career.
"We are thrilled Albert will be joining us to launch the 2007 season," says Steve Cobb, who has served as executive director of the Arizona Fall League since 1993. "He was an outstanding player here in 2000 and he has distinguished himself in the major leagues as a perennial all-star."
The ceremony to honor Pujols will begin at 6:45 p.m.
Earlier that afternoon, the Fall League begins its 2007 season with a pair of 12:35 p.m. day games. The Phoenix Desert Dogs begin seeking their fourth consecutive Fall League championship when they host the Mesa Solar Sox at Phoenix Municipal Stadium, and the renamed Surprise Rafters face the Peoria Javelinas at the Peoria Sports Complex.
2007 Arizona Fall League Notes Minor League All-Stars
The 2007 Arizona Fall League rosters are dotted with 53 players who participated in their respective minor league all-star games this season. Twenty-six players were Double-A all-stars and 27 players were Single-A all-stars. The AFL will also be home to the Southern League player-of-the-year (Evan Longoria) and the Carolina League player-of-the-year (Mitch Einertson).
Futures Gamers
Seven players participated in the prestigious 2007 Futures Game during the Major League All-Star festivities in San Francisco - Surprise Rafters IF Elvis Andrus (TEX), Peoria Saguaros IF Chris Coghlan (FLA), Surprise Rafters IF German Duran (TEX), Peoria Saguaros IF Chin-Lung Hu (LAD), Scottsdale Scorpions IF Evan Longoria (TB), Peoria Saguaros OF Cameron Maybin (DET), and Mesa Solar Sox C
J.R. Towles (HOU).
Team USA
Team USA will prepare for its trip to Chinese Taipei for the 2007 International Baseball Federation (IBAF) World Cup from November 6-18 with workouts in the Valley, then games against each Arizona Fall League team that will count in the standings.
Four players - Peoria Saguaros IF Mike Hollimon (DET), Scottsdale Scorpions IF Evan Longoria (TB), Peoria Saguaros LHP Josh Outman (PHI), and Surprise Rafters RHP Jeff Stevens (CLE) - will appear in the Fall League until October 22 before joining Team USA.
Team USA's roster also includes seven players - IF Brian Bixler (PIT), LHP Jerry Blevins (OAK), LHP Brian Duensing (MIN), IF Steven Pearce (PIT), RHP Chris Perez (STL), OF Colby Rasmus (STL), and RHP Dallas Trahern (DET) - previously assigned to the Fall League who will play exclusively for Team USA.
Additionally, four Team USA players - C Jason Jaramillo (PHI), IF Andy LaRoche (LAD), LHP Neil Musser (KC), and IF Jayson Nix (COL) - are Fall League alums.
Team China
Team China also will be in the Valley preparing for upcoming international competition in Japan by playing each Fall League team. Those games also will count in the standings.
Arizona College Players
Six players from Arizona universities will participate in the 2007 Fall League.
Arizona State University will be represented by Phoenix Desert Dogs RHP Patrick Bresnehan (PIT), Peoria Saguaros C Tuffy Gosewisch (PHI), Peoria Saguaros IF Jeff Larish (DET), and Peoria Javelinas RHP Zech Zinicola (WSH).
The University of Arizona claims Surprise Rafters OF Trevor Crowe (CLE) and Peoria Saguaros C Nick Hundley (SD).
First-Round Draft Choices
Thirty former first-round draft picks will play in the 2007 Arizona Fall League. Five of the 30 - C Jeff Clement (3rd, 2005, SEA), IF Evan Longoria (3rd, 2006, TB), IF Chris Lubanski (5th, 2003, KC), Matt LaPorta (7th, 2007, MIL), and LHP Ricky Romero (6th, 2005, TOR) - were chosen in the top 10.
Fall Leage Alums In MLB Postseason
There are 101 Fall League alums listed on major league postseason rosters. The breakdown follows.
American League National League
Boston Red Sox - 12 Arizona Diamondbacks - 16
Cleveland Indians - 11 Chicago Cubs - 13
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - 14 Colorado Rockies - 13
New York Yankees - 7 Philadelphia Phillies - 15
Former First-Round Draft Choices In 2007 Arizona Fall League
Name Pick Year Affiliation Fall League Team
Matt Antonelli, IF 17th 2006 San Diego Peoria Saguaros
Michael Aubrey, IF 11th 2003 Cleveland Surprise Rafters
Jeff Clement, C 3rd 2005 Seattle Peoria Javelinas
Chris Coghlan, IF 36th 2006 Florida Peoria Saguaros
Trevor Crowe, OF 14th 2005 Cleveland Surprise Rafters
Blake Dewitt, IF 28th 2004 Los Angeles (NL) Peoria Saguaros
Gregory Golson, OF 21st 2004 Philadelphia Peoria Saguaros
Craig Hansen, RHP 26th 2005 Boston Mesa Solar Sox
David Huff, LHP 39th 2006 Cleveland Surprise Rafters
Eddie Kunz, RHP 42nd 2007 New York (Mets) Scottsdale Scorpions
Matthew LaPorta, OF 7th 2007 Milwaukee Mesa Solar Sox
Evan Longoria, IF 3rd 2006 Tampa Bay Scottsdale Scorpions
Jed Lowrie, IF 45th 2005 Boston Mesa Solar Sox
Chris Lubanski, OF 5th 2003 Kansas City Surprise Rafters
Tyler Lumsden, LHP 34th 2004 Kansas City Surprise Rafters
John Mayberry Jr., OF 19th 2005 Texas Surprise Rafters
Cameron Maybin, OF 10th 2005 Detroit Peoria Saguaros
Macey McBride, LHP 24th 2001 Detroit Peoria Saguaros
Andrew McCutchen, OF 11th 2005 Pittsburgh Phoenix Desert Dogs
Greg Miller, LHP 31st 2002 Los Angeles (NL) Peoria Saguaros
Justin Orenduff, RHP 33rd 2004 Los Angeles (NL) Peoria Saguaros
Cliff Pennington, IF 21st 2005 Oakland Phoenix Desert Dogs
Trevor Plouffe, IF 20th 2004 Minnesota Phoenix Desert Dogs
David Purcey, LHP 16th 2004 Toronto Scottsdale Scorpions
Ricky Romero, LHP 6th 2005 Toronto Scottsdale Scorpions
Sergio Santos, IF 27th 2002 Toronto Scottsdale Scorpions
Joseph Savory, LHP 19th 2007 Philadelphia Peoria Saguaros
Max Scherzer, RHP 11th 2006 Arizona Scottsdale Scorpions
James Simmons, RHP 26th 2007 Oakland Phoenix Desert Dogs
Travis Snider, OF 14th 2006 Toronto Scottsdale Scorpions
2007 Fall Leaguers With MLB Experience
Peoria Saguaros Scottsdale Scorpions Phoenix Desert Dogs
RHP Joseph Bisenius (PHI) RHP Carlos Muniz (NYM) RHP Nick Blackburn (MIN)
LHP Macay McBride (DET) RHP Scott Munter (SF) LHP David Davidson (PIT)
RHP Ricky Nolasco (FLA) RHP Jamie Vermilyea (TOR) RHP Dewon Day (CWS)
RHP Patrick Overholt (PHI) INF Dan Ortmeier (SF) RHP Jim Johnson (BAL)
RHP Ross Wolf (FLA) INF Eugenio Velez (SF) LHP Jay Marshall (OAK)
INF Chin-Ling Hu (LAD) OF Nate Schierholtz (SF) RHP Hayden Penn (BAL)
OF Cameron Maybin (DET) Mesa Solar Sox C Donny Lucy (CWS)
Peoria Javelinas RHP Sean Gallagher (CHC) OF Jeff Fiorentino (BAL)
RHP Ross Ohlendorf (NYY) RHP Craig Hansen (BOS) OF Nyjer Morgan (PIT)
C Jeff Clement (SEA) LHP Mitch Stetter (MIL) OF Ryan Sweeney (CWS)
C Clint Sammons (ATL) C J.R. Towles (HOU) Surprise Rafters
INF Kory Casto (WSH) OF Sam Fuld (CHC) RHP Scott Feldman (TEX)
OF Justin Maxwell (WSH)
2007 Arizona Fall League Schedule
Week 1
Tuesday, October 9 (Opening Day) Friday, October 12
Mesa Solar Sox @ Phoenix Desert Dogs, 12:35 Surprise Rafters @ Peoria Javelinas, 12:35 Peoria Saguaros @ Scottsdale Scorpions, 7:05 Peoria Saguaros @ Peoria Javelinas, 12:35 Surprise Rafters @ Mesa Solar Sox, 12:35 Scottsdale Scorpions @ Phoenix Desert Dogs, 7:05
Wednesday, October 10 Saturday, October 13
Peoria Javelinas @ Surprise Rafters, 12:35 Scottsdale Scorpions @ Peoria Saguaros, 12:35 Phoenix Desert Dogs @ Mesa Solar Sox, 7:05 Phoenix Desert Dogs @ Surprise Rafters, 12:35 Scottsdale Scorpions @ Peoria Javelinas, 12:35 Peoria Saguaros @ Mesa Solar Sox, 7:05
Thursday, October 11 Sunday, October 14
Mesa Solar Sox @ Surprise Rafters, 12:35 Off day Peoria Javelinas @ Peoria Saguaros, 12:35 Phoenix Desert Dogs @ Scottsdale Scorpions, 7:05
Week 2
Monday, October 15 Friday, October 19
Peoria Javelinas @ Mesa Solar Sox, 12:35 Scottsdale Scorpions @ Surprise Rafters, 12:35 Phoenix Desert Dogs @ Peoria Saguaros, 7:05 Surprise Rafters @ Phoenix Desert Dogs, 12:35 Mesa Solar Sox @ Peoria Saguaros, 12:35 Peoria Javelinas @ Scottsdale Scorpions, 7:05
Tuesday, October 16 Saturday, October 20
Mesa Solar Sox @ Peoria Javelinas, 12:35 Peoria Saguaros @ Phoenix Desert Dogs, 12:35 Surprise Rafters @ Scottsdale Scorpions, 7:05 Mesa Solar Sox @ Surprise Rafters, 12:35 Peoria Saguaros @ Peoria Javelinas, 12:35 Scottsdale Scorpions @ Phoenix Desert Dogs, 7:05
Wednesday, October 17 Sunday, October 21
Surprise Rafters @ Peoria Saguaros, 12:35 Off day Peoria Javelinas @ Phoenix Desert Dogs, 12:35 Mesa Solar Sox @ Scottsdale Scorpions, 7:05
Thursday, October 18
Phoenix Desert Dogs @ Peoria Javelinas, 12:35 Scottsdale Scorpions @ Mesa Solar Sox, 12:35 Peoria Saguaros @ Surprise Rafters, 7:05
Week 3
Monday, October 22 Friday, October 26
Surpise Rafters @ Peoria Javelinas, 12:35 Peoria Saguaros @ Scottsdale Scorpions, 12:35 Mesa Solar Sox @ Phoenix Desert Dogs, 7:05 Team China @ Phoenix Desert Dogs, Noon Rising Stars Showcase, 7:05
(Surprise Stadium)
Tuesday, October 23 Saturday, October 27
Surprise Rafters @ Phoenix Desert Dogs, 12:35 Mesa Solar Sox @ Peoria Saguaros, 12:35 Peoria Javelinas @ Scottsdale Scorpions, 7:05
Wednesday, October 24 Phoenix Desert Dogs @ Peoria Javelinas, 12:35 Scottsdale Scorpions @ Mesa Solar Sox, 12:35 Peoria Saguaros @ Surprise Rafters, 12:35 Scottsdale Scorpions @ Peoria Saguaros, Noon Peoria Javelinas @ Mesa Solar Sox, 12:35 Phoenix Desert Dogs @ Team USA, 12:35
(Scottsdale Stadium) Team China @ Surprise Rafters, 12:35
Sunday, October 28 Off day
Thursday, October 25
Team USA @ Peoria Javelinas, 12:35 Peoria Saguaros @ Phoenix Desert Dogs, 12:35 Surprise Rafters @ Scottsdale Scorpions, 12:35 Team China @ Mesa Solar Sox, 12:35
Monday, October 29
Peoria Saguaros @ Mesa Solar Sox, 12:35 Phoenix Desert Dogs @ Surprise Rafters, 12:35 Scottsdale Scorpions @ Team USA, 12:35
(Scottsdale Stadium) Team China @ Peoria Javelinas, 12:35
Tuesday, October 30
Surprise Rafters @ Phoenix Desert Dogs, 12:35 Peoria Javelinas @ Scottsdale Scorpions, 12:35 Team USA @ Mesa Solar Sox, 7:05 Team China @ Peoria Saguaros, 12:35
Wednesday, October 31
Mesa Solar Sox @ Peoria Javelinas, 12:35 Peoria Saguaros @ Phoenix Desert Dogs, 12:35 Team USA @ Surprise Rafters, 12:35 Team China @ Scottsdale Scorpions, 12:35
Monday, November 5
Peoria Saguaros @ Surprise Rafters, 12:35 Scottsdale Scorpions @ Mesa Solar Sox, 12:35 Phoenix Desert Dogs @ Peoria Javelinas, 7:05
Tuesday, November 6
Mesa Solar Sox @ Surprise Rafters, 12:35 Scottsdale Scorpions @ Phoenix Desert Dogs, 12:35 Peoria Saguaros @ Peoria Javelinas, 7:05
Wednesday, November 7
Surprise Rafters @ Mesa Solar Sox, 12:35 Peoria Javelinas @ Peoria Saguaros, 12:35 Phoenix Desert Dogs @ Scottsdale Scorpions, 7:05
Thursday, November 8
Peoria Javelinas @ Surprise Rafters, 12:35 p.m. Scottsdale Scorpions @ Peoria Saguaros, 12:35 Phoenix Desert Dogs @ Mesa Solar Sox, 7:05
Monday, November 12
Phoenix Desert Dogs @ Mesa Solar Sox, 12:35 Scottsdale Scorpions @ Peoria Saguaros, 12:35 Peoria Javelinas @ Surprise Rafters, 7:05
Tuesday, November 13
Mesa Solar Sox @ Surprise Rafters, 12:35 Phoenix Desert Dogs @ Scottsdale Scorpions, 12:35 Peoria Javelinas @ Peoria Saguaros, 12:35
Wednesday, November 14
Surprise Rafters @ Peoria Saguaros, 12:35 Peoria Javelinas @ Phoenix Desert Dogs, 12:35 Mesa Solar Sox @ Scottsdale Scorpions, 7:05
Week 4
Thursday, November 1
Peoria Javelinas @ Mesa Solar Sox, 12:35 Surprise Rafters @ Scottsdale Scorpions, 12:35 Team USA @ Peoria Saguaros, 12:35 Phoenix Desert Dogs - off
Friday, November 2
Surprise Rafters @ Mesa Solar Sox, 12:35 Peoria Saguaros @ Peoria Javelinas, 12:35 Scottsdale Scorpions @ Phoenix Desert Dogs, 7:05
Saturday, November 3
Surprise Rafters @ Peoria Saguaros, 12:35 Peoria Javelinas @ Phoenix Desert Dogs, 12:35 Mesa Solar Sox @ Scottsdale Scorpions, 7:05
Sunday, November 4
Off day
Week 5
Friday, November 9
Surprise Rafters @ Peoria Javelinas, 12:35 Mesa Solar Sox @ Phoenix Desert Dogs, 12:35 Peoria Saguaros @ Scottsdale Scorpions, 7:05
Saturday, November 10
Mesa Solar Sox @ Peoria Javelinas, 12:35 Peoria Saguaros @ Phoenix Desert Dogs, 12:35 Surprise Rafters @ Scottsdale Scorpions, 7:05
Sunday, November 11
Off day
Week 6
Thursday, November 15
Peoria Javelinas @ Scottsdale Scorpions, 12:35 Peoria Saguaros @ Mesa Solar Sox, 12:35 Phoenix Desert Dogs @ Surprise Rafters, 12:35
Friday, November 16
Off day
Saturday, November 17 16th Arizona Fall League Championship Game, 12:35
(Scottsdale Stadium)
All times p.m. and AZ local
• Discuss this story on the Arizona Fall League message board...
Arizona Fall League Stories from October 9, 2007
- Arizona Fall League Begins 16th Season - AzFL
- 2007 Arizona Fall League Q&A - AzFL
- 2007 Fall League Factoids - AzFL
- AZ Fall League Announces 2007 Hall of Fame Inductees - AzFL
- 100 AZ Fall League Alums In MLB Postseason - AzFL
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