Arizona Fall League Yankees Preview

Feb 28, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; A detail of a New York Yankees logo painted on the field for a spring training game against the Toronto Blue Jays at George Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Fall League is ready to play ball. We are just a few short days away from the October 7th first pitch. The league, which was founded in 1992 and is owned and operated by Major League Baseball, showcases some of baseball’s elite prospects. The league has kept top prospects from going abroad to warmer weather in the offseason and allows their parent clubs to keep a close eye on their progression. It is also fun to watch.

Each August, the AFL’s six teams hold their prospect draft to fill out the positions on their rosters. The draft mostly consists of Triple and Double-A star prospects, although each organization is allowed to send up to two players at the Single-A level or international prospects. This year the Yankees will be sending seven of their pinstripe hopeful to the Scottsdale Scorpions. They will be teaming up with future New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants in hopes of getting the Scorpions out of the cellar of the Arizona Fall League Eastern Division as they finished 10-21 last season. The Tampa Yanks will also be sending their hitting coach P.J. Pilittere to serve in the same role for the Scorpions.

Who were the prospects the Yankees saw fit to send to Arizona for the month long season? Here’s a look at the Scottsdale seven.

Caleb Cotham

The 26-year old righty was a 2009 fifth round draft pick of the New York Yankees out of Vanderbilt. Cotham has been up and down the system in the six years since. This past season he spent time in the Gulf Coast League, and then at Tampa, Trenton, and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He was very underwhelming over 10 starts at Double and Triple-A, going a combined 0-4 with an ERA well over five. With a career 13-20 record and a 4.24 ERA, this may be Cotham’s last chance to stick with the system.

Branden Pinder

Pinder was drafted by the Yankees in the 16th round of the 2011 draft. The 25-year old righty had a strong showing for the Trenton Thunder coming out of their bullpen in 2014. He finished his Double-A season at 2-0, with a 0.56 ERA and four saves. He struck out 18 over 16 while just walking two. When Pinder was promoted to SWB, he picked up another win and a save. The one time spot starter seems to have found new life in the back of the bullpen and will look to hone his skills this fall.

Tyler Austin.Mandatory Credit: (Robert M. Pimpsner/Pinstriped Prospects)

Alex Smith

Smith was part of the Tampa Yankees closer committee in 2014. The 25-year old righty, who was signed as a undrafted free agent by the Yankees in 2012, has a spectacular season in his role. Smith went 5-5 with a 2.74 ERA and seven saves.

Tyler Austin

Austin was once one of the prized prospects of the Yankees system. The Yankees 13th round 2010 draft pick has done little to justify that in the five years since. This could very well be Austin’s last chance before the Yankees let him walk. Austin has been in a position transition as he has been converting from outfielder to infielder to outfielder over the past few seasons. 2014 was a roller coaster for Austin. He started slow out of the gates. In fact, but the end of June he was batting .254 with three home run and 24 RBI, hardly good numbers for a system’s top ten prospect. He caught fire in July and August, however, finished out the final two months batting .303 with six home runs and 25 RBI. Austin will look to keep it going this fall.

Mandatory Credit: milb.com

Dante Bichette, Jr. (replacing the injured Eric Jagielo)

What a season for DBJ and Jagielo. Jagielo suffered through an injury-riddled 2014 campaign, and DBJ was right there to pick up the slack. a week or so back, Jagielo to a pitch off of his face in the Yankees instructional league and once again DBJ will be called upon to fill in for Jagielo. The Yankees first round draft pick in 2011, many wondered if Bichette was a flash in the pan, after digressing in 2013 after an impressive 2012 debut season. He put all the worry behind him with a strong 2014, earning a trip to the Florida State League All-Star Game and getting his first taste of Double-A ball when he was promoted to Trenton. The fall league could help the 22-year old take even bigger strides into becoming a fixture in the Bronx.

Greg Bird

When it comes to elite prospects in the Yankees system, Bird is atop the list. The 21-year old former fifth round, 2011 draft pick could very well be the future first baseman of the Yankees. Bird had a monster 2013, leading minor league baseball in walks and showing the plate discipline that has been his claim to fame. He began 2014 in extended spring training recovering from injury and it took him a while to get going. Once he shook the cobwebs off, he looked like the Greg Bird of old. He got his first taste of Double-A ball this year and belted seven home runs in 27 games for the Thunder. The future is bright for Bird and it will be exciting to see what he can do this fall.