The Arizona Fall League is dedicated to taking players from all areas of Minor League ball and polishing them up in preparation to continue advancing through their parent club’s system.
It was started in 1992, and since that time has been credited by scouts, GMs and the players themselves as an important step to realizing their potential as high-level prospects.
Today, the Arizona Fall League has announced its rosters, and this year members of the Milwaukee Brewers will be playing for the Phoenix Desert Dogs. In total, eight members of the Milwaukee Brewers farm system were chosen.
Here are your 2012 Desert Dogs – or the ones you really care about in any case:
Pitchers
Nick Bucci– RHP – Brevard County Manatees (Advanced A)
Heckathorn and Nelson have had very good years in AA, with Nelson spending a bulk of time both on the DL and in Advanced-A with Brevard County. Manzanillo also spent time dealing with injury this year, so his spot in the Fall League probably owes more to that than anything. Nick Bucci is the lowest member of the Brewers organization to make the Fall Leagues, so there might be some additional pressure on him to perform well. Johnny Hellweg will have a lot of interest in him as a result of the Zack Greinke trade that made him a Brewer.
Infielders
- Hunter Morris – 1B – Huntsville Stars
There was little question that scouts and members of the Brewers want to see more of The Mayor. Two consecutive Players of the Month honors for Morris, and a legitimate of making it a summer sweep – Hunter Morris has top prospect written all over him and the makings of a great career in the Major Leagues.
Outfielders
- Khris Davis – LF – Nashville Sounds (AAA)
- Brock Kjeldgaard – RF – Huntsville Stars (AA)
Khris Davis, the number 15 prospect in Milwaukee’s system, has good power but struggled with injury for the better part of 2012, so his addition to the club is probably just to boost his playing time and see if he can carry his power hitting skills into more advanced positions. Brock also had an injury – a torn thumb ligament – that allows him some extra AB’s in the Fall League as well. The Brewers scouts will be watching him closely, as he continues to have trouble gaining more plate discipline to balance out his amazing ability to hit for power. His versatility between the outfield and first base makes him desirable as well.
Stay in touch with Reviewing the Brew as the Arizona Fall League gets under way and we’ll keep you updated on the progress of Milwaukee’s top prospects.