Arizona Fall League
Arizona Fall League | |
---|---|
Sport | Baseball |
Founded | 1992 |
No. of teams | 6 |
Country/ Countries |
United States |
Most recent champion(s) | Phoenix Desert Dogs |
Official website | Official website |
The Arizona Fall League is a minor league baseball league which operates during the fall in Arizona, United States at five spring training complexes.
Contents |
Structure
Each August, Major League Baseball clubs hold a position draft to determine the players who will go to Arizona. Most are Double-A and Triple-A Minor League players. Each club can opt to send one player considered a Single-A player. Only one foreign player is allowed, but only if that player does not come from a region that participates in winter ball. The league is designed for these prospects to refine their skills and perform in game settings in front of major and minor league baseball scouts and team executives, who are in attendance at almost every game. Play begins shortly after the end of MLB's regular season in early October, and ends in mid-November.
The Arizona Fall League teams are not exclusive affiliates of any one team; instead, each Major League team provides six players who team up to fill the 30-man roster of each team. MLB teams also send coaches. The affiliations generally change every year.
Notable players
A number of famous ballplayers have had stints in the Arizona Fall League. In 1994, the league got worldwide attention as Michael Jordan's first professional baseball league, when he played for the Scottsdale Scorpions. Other notable ballplayers who have played in the Arizona Fall League include Derek Jeter, Nomar Garciaparra, Albert Pujols, and Ryan Braun. Over 60% of the players who play in the league make the majors.
Current teams
Standings
East
AFL East | W | L | Pct. | GB |
---|---|---|---|---|
Phoenix Desert Dogs | 3 | 2 | .600 | -- |
Mesa Solar Sox | 2 | 3 | .400 | 1 |
Scottsdale Scorpions | 0 | 5 | .000 | 3 |
West
AFL West | W | L | Pct. | GB |
---|---|---|---|---|
Peoria Javelinas | 4 | 1 | .800 | -- |
Surprise Rafters | 4 | 1 | .800 | -- |
Peoria Saguaros | 2 | 3 | .400 | 2 |
Championship history
Year | Champion | Runner-Up |
---|---|---|
1992 | Sun Cities Solar Sox | Phoenix Desert Dogs |
1993 | Tempe Rafters | Tucson |
1994 | Peoria Javelinas | Mesa Saguaros |
1995 | Mesa Saguaros | Sun Cities Solar Sox |
1996 | Scottsdale Scorpions | Mesa Saguaros |
1997 | Peoria Javelinas | Grand Canyon Rafters |
1998 | Sun Cities Solar Sox | Grand Canyon Rafters |
1999 | Mesa | Maryvale Saguaros |
2000 | Grand Canyon Rafters | Phoenix Desert Dogs |
2001 | Phoenix Desert Dogs | Grand Canyon Rafters |
2002 | Peoria Javelinas | Scottsdale Scorpions |
2003 | Mesa Solar Sox | Mesa Desert Dogs |
2004 | Phoenix Desert Dogs | Scottsdale Scorpions |
2005 | Phoenix Desert Dogs | Surprise Scorpions |
2006 | Phoenix Desert Dogs | Grand Canyon Rafters |
Hall of Fame
2001
- Nomar Garciaparra, 1994 Scottsdale Scorpions
- Derek Jeter, 1994
- Mike Piazza, 1992 Sun Cities Solar Sox
- Dusty Baker, 1992 Scottsdale Scorpions
2002
- Jason Giambi, 1994 Peoria Javelinas
- Jerry Manuel, 1994 Maryvale Saguaros
2003
- Shawn Green, 1993 Scottsdale Scorpions
- Todd Helton, 1996 Peoria Javelinas
- Mike Scioscia, 1997 Peoria Javelinas
2004
- Garret Anderson, 1993 Tempe Rafters
- Albert Pujols, 2000 Scottsdale Scorpions
- Tony Peña, 2000, Maryvale Saguaros
2005
2006
- Roy Halladay, 1998 Grand Canyon Rafters
- Grady Little, 1992 Grand Canyon Rafters
- Alfonso Soriano, 1998 Grand Canyon Rafters
External links
Arizona Fall League | ||
---|---|---|
East Division | West Division | |
Mesa Solar Sox | Phoenix Desert Dogs | Scottsdale Scorpions | Peoria Javelinas | Peoria Saguaros | Surprise Rafters |