Which Arizona Fall League Prospects are Fantasy Baseball Ready?

The focus of most Major League Baseball fans is directed towards the playoffs right now as teams fight for their chance to play for a World Series title. But the astute fantasy baseball GM should be looking in the desert as the Arizona Fall League has just started.

Why tune in and watch young baseball players with little or no major league experience? Well, in the Arizona Fall League last year, hitters like Drew Sutton, Gordon Beckham and Nolan Reimold tore up the competition -- showing that they could make contributions at the major league level.

You also should not forget about a pitcher by the name of Tommy Hanson. In seven AFL starts last year Hanson struck out 49 batters while only throwing 28.2 innings. He also had a 5-0 record with a 0.63 ERA. We all know what Hanson did for the Braves in 2008 -- and for fantasy GM's who knew his name on draft day.

Who will be this year's Tommy Hanson?

Player	Team
Brandon Allen	Diamondbacks
2008 Stats: .298/.373/.503 - 20 HR | 70 RBI | 7 SB
Allen is the Diamondbacks' heir-apparent at first base, but the team doesn't feel that he did enough with his 104 major league at-bats (.202 with four home runs) to be handed the job just yet. A good AFL showing might be enough to convince the Diamondbacks that the 23-year-old who had 48 extra-base hits in 447 minor league at-bats in 2008 should be manning first as early as Opening Day, 2010.
Domonic Brown	Phillies
2008 Stats: .299/.377/.504 - 14 HR | 64 RBI | 23 SB
Brown has been on the radar of many major league GM's but the Phillies feel compelled to keep him in the organization even with their stacked outfield. He moved from rookie ball to Advanced-A to Double-A this season and amassed 395 at-bats along the way. The 22-year-old lanky outfielder seems blocked at the moment but he's a bright prospect who won't be keep out of big-league baseball much longer, whether it be with the Phillies or someone else. His major league ETA is more like mid-2010 so don't start adding him to draft boards just yet.
Jason Castro	Astros
2008 Stats: .300/.380/.446 - 10 HR | 73 RBI | 3 SB
The catching position on the depth chart for the Astros is pretty thin. And while many feel Castro would benefit from more minor league seasoning, the Astros' need is right now. They could go out in search of a veteran catcher to hold down the spot until Castro is ready or they could hand this 22-year-old the keys with a solid AFL and Spring Training showing. His 31 doubles and ten home runs between Advanced-A and Double-A scream that there's more power to come from Castro. The question is -- when will he arrive?
Jason Heyward	Braves
2008 Stats: .323/.408/.555 - 17 HR | 63 RBI | 10 SB
Not only did Heyward mash the ball all year long, but his numbers improved as he was promoted from Advanced-A to Double-A and then to Triple-A. His 17 home runs in 442 at-bats shows that he has power ( a much needed attribute in Atlanta). He also can run and hit for average. Solid off-season results may force the Braves to consider the 20-year-old outfielder sooner then they had planned.
Andrew Lambo	Dodgers
2008 Stats: .256/.311/.407 - 11 HR | 61 RBI | 4 SB
Lambo showed a slight improvement in his strikeout rate but his 2008 numbers were a let-down from his explosive 2007 stat line. His 39 doubles and 11 home runs in 492 at-bats give promise to future power, but he still needs work on plate discipline. At the age of 21 he's still got time. And quite frankly, the Dodgers' outfield is crowded and they don't have a dire need at first base either.
Mike Moustakas	Royals
2008 Stats: .250/.297/.421 - 16 HR | 86 RBI | 10 SB
Of anyone on this short list, Moustakas needs a strong AFL showing to continue moving forward as a top prospect. His power is legit but the .297 on-base percentage tells the tale of a young 21-year-old hitter who can't get on base enough to make the jump to the majors. He'll likely start 2010 in Double-A but could, if he makes the necessary adjustments, challenge Alex Gordon at third base sometime in mid- to late-2010.
Buster Posey	Giants
2008 Stats: .325/.416/.531 - 18 HR | 80 RBI | 6 SB
Let's forget about the 17 at-bats Posey saw at the major league level this season after Bengie Molina was injured. Focus on his 422 at-bats between Advanced-A and Triple-A this season and know that Posey will be given every chance to win the job of starting catcher in San Francisco as early as Opening Day 2010.
Scott Sizemore	Tigers
2008 Stats: .308/.389/.500 - 17 HR | 66 RBI | 21 SB
Sizemore has power, speed and hits for average. With his skill set and the fact that 292 of his 520 minor league at-bats came at the Triple-A level he's one of those players who has proven everything he can at the minor league level. Sizemore looks to be ready to take over at second base in Detroit and scouts think he could be a 20-20 type major league hitter. Look for Sizemore to break camp with the Tigers.
Drew Storen	Nationals
2008 Stats: 2-1 1.95 ERA | 11 Saves | 49 K's | 8 BB's
Unlike the Nationals other first-round draft selection this year, Storen signed quickly and notched 37 innings of professional work this year, moving from Single-A to Advanced-A to Double A. He struck out more then a batter per inning and had a nice 6.125 strikeout to walk ratio. Another impressive stat is Storen's 11.9 strikeouts per nine innings. It's numbers like these that will have Storen in the Nationals' bullpen at the start of 2010. He might even make it to closer next year too.
Stephen Strasburg	Nationals
2008 Stats: Did Not Pitch Professionally
Strasburg took his contract negotiations almost to the deadline but finally got a deal done. And can you blame one of the best baseball prospects ever for trying to get paid? Now that he's signed, he'll make his professional debut on Friday in the Arizona Fall League and we'll see quickly if he's ready to be in a major league rotation at the beginning of 2010.

Others to watch:
• Ike Davis, Mets
• Jennry Mejia, Mets
• Dustin Ackley, Mariners
• Freddie Freeman, Braves
• Yonder Alonso, Reds
• Andrew Miller, Marlins
• Mike Stanton, Marlins