ABL to AFL: First look at 2010

A look at the former ABLers on the initial rosters for the Arizona Fall League

Chris Kissock will state his case in the AFL
this off-season.
Photo courtesy of Goldpanners.com

One of the coolest things, if you're a prospect watcher, once the pro season ends is winter baseball. Particularly the Arizona Fall League, which has become the most notable prospect winter league. For those of you unfamiliar, the AFL runs six teams (plus, this year will feature appearances from Team USA and Team China) to which each MLB team can designate a handful of their minor league players.

What makes the AFL interesting is that the players are usually those poised to make some sort of a move. On the one hand, you've got guys who are considered some of the top prospects in a system and are sent to polish up their games before making the final push toward the majors. On the other, you have a lot of guys who might have struggled in their pro careers and are getting some extra work to figure out their issues and hopefully avoid getting the cut. In a nutshell, there are plenty of compelling stories to follow in the fall.

Of course, anywhere you find an assortment of professional baseball players, you're bound to find a few guys who have logged time in Alaska, and the Arizona Fall League is never an exception. The AFL teams have released their initial rosters, and I've caught wind of some ABL alumni who are going to Arizona to represent their organizations. Last year I followed all the former ABLers in the league with a little blurb on each and concluding with a "report card"; I imagine I'll do at least as much this year. But first, let's just have a look at who made the initial rosters (which are, of course, subject to change).

ABL Top 10 Pro Prospects for 2010

Here it is! The moment we've all been waiting for...the top ten ABL pro prospects for 2010. There are plenty of other guys I'd love to have included on this list, but after the first ten or so it becomes more or less guesswork as to where to rank anybody, so ten was the cutoff. But if you think I missed a favorite of yours, feel free to let me know in the comments section and we can give your guy some love. Well, without further ado, here is the list:

#1: Jason Castro

C - 2006 Anchorage Bucs 
MLB Org: Houston
Drafted: 2008, Rd. 1
Scouting Video: Farmsystem

Scouting Report: Jason Castro is the top prospect in the Astros organization and is in the top handful of prospects in all of pro baseball. MLB.com ranked Castro in their top 50 for 2010. As for his abilities, Castro has a strong and accurate throwing arm, great patience and power that is a bit above average. The current catcher situation in the major leagues is kind of blah. It seems that after the "Three M's" (McCann, Mauer and Martinez) there isn't a lot of star-power at the position, which means that Castro should make a big splash when he breaks into the show here in a year or two.

Photo Credit: Tom Clifton

#2: Michael Taylor  
OF - 2005 Mat-Su Miners
MLB Org: Oakland
Drafted: 2007, Rd. 5
Scouting Video: ESPN
Scouting Report: Michael Taylor was one of the better prospects in the Phillies' farm system before ending up in Oakland via Toronto. In the A's minor league hierarchy he's really blossomed into a top 50 prospect. He looks a lot like he could have the power to be a cleanup guy, but he's better suited in the #3 hole; while he'll likely be an above-average home run hitter, he is just an all around great contact guy who can spatter balls all around the ballpark, with the speed to stretch hits for extra bases and swipe a few. A very well-rounded hitter. Also to his advantage are a strong outfield arm and tough mentality.