5/7/20

John From Albany - An idea for an expanded Arizona Fall League.



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):



11 Infielders:





2 Infielder/Outfielders: Hansel Moreno; Yoel Romero.


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. 

7 comments:

Tom Brennan said...

Good idea.

I 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?

John From Albany said...

The "second wave" could cancel a lot of things. Hopefully it never comes but if it does, our leaders need to be better prepared.

Reese Kaplan said...

If 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.

Mack Ade said...

It is a cute idea... until someone gets sick.

Mike Steffanos said...

I 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.

Jon Messinger said...

I 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!

Tony said...

The development is a necessity.