NEWS

By Newport Gulls Staff

NEWPORT, RI- The Arizona Fall League got its start in 1992 as an opportunity for Major League Baseball Top Prospects to compete against each other after their regular minor league season wraps up. With six teams comprising two three-team divisions, each MLB team sends six of their most promising prospects to Arizona to make up sudo All-Start Teams. 

Glendale Desert Dogs:                                       Peoria Javelinas:

-       Chicago White Sox                                               - Atlanta Braves                                  

-       Houston Astros                                                     - Philadelphia Phillies

-       Los Angeles Angels                                             - Seattle Mariners

-       Los Angeles Dodges                                            - Pittsburgh Pirates     

-       St. Louis Cardinals                                               - San Diego Padres

 

Surprise Saguaros:                                            Mesa Solar Sox:

-       Cincinnati Reds                                                    - Baltimore Orioles

-       Kansas City Royals                                              - Chicago Cubs

-       New York Yankees                                               - Miami Marlins

-       Texas Rangers                                                     - Oakland Athletics     

-       Washington Nationals                                          - Toronto Blue Jays

 

 

Salt River Rafters:                                                Scottsdale Scorpions:

-       Arizona Diamondbacks                                          - Boston Red Sox

-       Colorado Rockies                                                   - Cleveland Indians

-       Detroit Tigers                                                          - Minnesota Twins 

-       Milwaukee Brewers                                                - San Francisco Giants

-       New York Mets                                                       - Tampa Bay Rays

 

History has shown that competing in the AFL is not only a great sign of reaching the Major Leagues but for big league success as over 300 alumni have become MLB All-Stars, including but not limited to Dustin Pedroia (2004), NECBL Alumni Andre Ethier (2005), Bryce Harper (2010-2011), Mike Trout (2011), Mookie Betts (2013), and Aaron Judge (2014). A couple other notable individuals to play in the league were Michael Jordan in 1994 during his time away from basketball and Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Tim Tebow in 2016. 

This year’s season started this past week, and four former Newport Gulls were selected to participate. Three players from the Gulls 2017 team, Outfielders JJ Bleday (Vanderbilt), Kameron Misner (Mizzou), Left-Handed Pitcher Erik Miller (Stanford), and 2018 Gull, Third basemen Kody Hoese (Tulane). Since both JJ and Kameron are in the Marlins minor league system, they are both playing for the Mesa Solar Sox. Miller is in the Philadelphia Phillies organization and Hoese plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers. 

At the time of this release, Miller has yet to pitch, while Bleday has recorded two hits and four RBI, Hoese has had a couple hits, and Misner has blasted a home run and a double in the first few games of the season. 

Additionally, there have been many Gulls to play in the AFL in recent years, six of which have reached the Major Leagues (Denoted in Italics): 

2019

-       Devin Mann (2016 Gull) 

2018

-       Anthony Misiewicz (2014 Gull)

-       Taylor Guilbeau (2013 Gull)

2017

-       Will Smith (2014 Gull)

-       Jack Reinheimer (2011 Gull)

2016 

-       Andrew Kittredge (2009 Gull)

-       Kyle McGrath (2013 Gull) 

-       Adam Ravenelle (2012 Gull)

2015 

-       Austen Slater (2012 Gull)

 

The Gulls wish the best of luck their four alumni and all players in the Arizona Fall League this year as they continue to chase their dream of playing in the Major Leagues.