Talk about a return to Major League Baseball continues with
some thinking that there will be an opening day in July.
But what about Minor League Baseball?
Since
Minor League Teams are mostly independently owned and attendance is their
main source of revenue, empty stadiums are not an option.
That leaves a very good chance of no minor ball this year.
However, here’s an idea that can help MLB teams develop
their players this year: expand the Arizona Fall League.
Currently the league has 6 teams playing 29 games each In
September and October. That allows for
about 6 players per team.
But what if this year we expand it to 30 teams (one per each
MLB team – 2 teams per Arizona Spring Training site) and expand the September –
October season to 60 games?
This would give each team the chance to play their 40 top prospects
in a highly competitive league. It would
be a lot of fun for fans to watch and help young players continue to
develop.
So what 40 players would make up the Mets Arizona team?
First, as major league baseball is talking about an expanded
roster, the typical veterans that you see on AAA teams will most likely be on
the major league rosters. For the Mets
that would mean players like Matt Adams,
Eduardo Nunez,
Rene
Rivera, Daniel
Zamora, and Paul Sewald,
maybe even Johneshwy
Fargas, Patrick
Mazeika, David
Peterson, Franklyn
Kilome, Thomas
Szapucki, and Jordan
Humphreys (Franklin, Jordan, and Thomas are already on the Mets 40 man roster).
That would leave players to come from the
top Mets prospect lists.
So here is my wild guess 40 man expanded Arizona Fall Mets team
(provided such a thing ever happens):
17 Pitchers: Kevin
Smith; Matthew
Allan; Ryley
Gilliam; Tylor
Megill; Tony
Dibrell; Rob Whalen;
Stephen
Villines; Garrison
Bryant; Briam
Campusano; Andrew
Mitchell; Jared
Biddy; Andrew
Edwards; Nathan
Jones; Josh
Wolf; Michel
Otanez; Matt
Mullenbach; Mitch
Ragan.
4 Catchers: Ali
Sanchez; Francisco
Alvarez; Wilfred
Astudillo; Andres
Regnault.
11 Infielders:
1B: Jeremy
Vasquez; Joe
Genord;
SS: Andres
Gimenez; Ronny
Mauricio.
2 Infielder/Outfielders: Hansel
Moreno; Yoel
Romero.
6 Outfielders: Quinn
Brodey; Wagner
Lagrange; Zach
Ashford; Jake
Mangum; Scott
Ota; and Ranfy
Adon.
With a 40 man team like this, what Mets fan wouldn’t want to
watch? And just think you’d have 29
other teams full of 40 more prospects each.
Maybe the idea would work, maybe not.
Whatever they decide, let’s hope they get back
to baseball as quickly and safely as possible.
Good idea.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure as it gets later in the fall if there will be the so-called "second wave of COVID" but they could try to schedule what you say.
I still think that simultaneous to the MLB season (let's say that starts July 4) that the powers that be could field two teams apiece (one advanced, the other younger high-rated prospects) in low population, low COVID states in rural areas. Why stymie the growth of a team's best 60 prospects by not playing?
That ought to not be too costly.
But I think your idea could be considered more viable, currently, since July 1 is coming up soon.
It will be weird though. Let's say the Mets can carry 32 players, 6 in a taxi squad. More would come to spring training, some won't make it, and...go home?
The "second wave" could cancel a lot of things. Hopefully it never comes but if it does, our leaders need to be better prepared.
ReplyDeleteIf the major leagues do embrace the Florida/Texas/Arizona plan that was discussed there may not be fields available to play minor league games since they may be needed for the majors. However, everything is in such flux and uncertainty, no one knows what to expect.
ReplyDeleteIt is a cute idea... until someone gets sick.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, John. I just don't believe that MLB teams can let their best prospects go a year or more without any development.
ReplyDeleteI think it's a great idea, and I'd love to be able to watch it on TV; sort of daily All Star / Futures game!
ReplyDeleteThe development is a necessity.
ReplyDelete