Taking a look at the Arizona Fall League

The 2009 MLB playoffs are in full gear, but for those of you die-hard baseball fans (and fantasy gurus) there is another league that you might want to keep an eye on.

The AFL kicked off its annual six-week, 32-game schedule yesterday in Phoenix. For those of you looking for the next crop of fantasy studs, look no further than the Arizona Fall League.

The Mesa Solar Sox, Peoria Javelinas, Peoria Saguaros, Phoenix Desert Dogs, Scottsdale Scorpions and Surprise Rafters round out the six-team league that is loaded with prospects from all 30 MLB teams.

To give you an idea of how prestigious this league is, here is a short list of AFL alums that have gone on to have successful major league careers: Nomar Garciaparra, Derek Jeter, Todd Helton, Albert Pujols, Roy Halladay, Jimmy Rollins and the list goes on…

Last year’s class even produced two Rookie of the Year candidates in 2009: Oakland’s Andrew Bailey and Atlanta’s Tommy Hanson.

This means that there are players in the AFL that could contribute to your fantasy roster as early as next season, especially in AL and NL-only formats.

These players tuning up in the AFL this year could become tomorrow’s fantasy stars:

Stephen Strasburg (Nationals)

The AFL is the next stop on the Strasburg express

If you haven’t heard of this fireballer, then you must not be a fan of baseball. The 6-foot-4 220-pound righty can reach speeds in the triple digits. He had a career strikeout-to-walk ratio of 254 to 38 in 168 2/3 innings at San Diego State. Enough said.

The No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft is expected to be on a fast track to the bigs, and given the Nats’ starting-pitching deficiencies, don’t be surprised to see him called up late next season.

Phillippe Aumont (Mariners)

This Canadian right hander was once touted as a future top-of-the-rotation ace. He was slowed by an elbow injury this season, and is now being groomed as a future closer (along with Joshua Fields). Aumont finished his 2009 minor league campaign with a 3.88 ERA while striking out 59 and walking 23 in 51 innings.

Drew Storen (Nationals)

Storen, the team’s other first-round pick (10th overall), signed quickly to expedite his move through the minor league system. He showed why he is expected to be the team’s future closer – he posted a 1.95 ERA and 11 saves while striking out 49 and walking just eight in 37 innings – and was even promoted to Double-A Harrisburg before season’s end.

If Storen picks up where he left off in 2010, he could be auditioning for a prominent role in the Nats’ bullpen next year.

Mike Moustakas (Royals)

The Royals’ third sacker displays plus power to all fields and will force his way onto a major league roster in the foreseeable future. He hit .250 with 16 homers and 86 RBIs with Single-A Wilmington in 2009.

Alex Gordon may be the team’s third-base project at the moment, but Moustakas will be waiting in the wings.

Jason Heyward (Braves)

This kid is for real, and is already drawing comparisons to the likes of Willie McCovey. He was the recipient of the 2009 Minor League Player of the Year award after hitting .323 with 17 dingers and 63 RBIs between Class A and Triple-A Gwinnett.

The Braves are saying they won’t rush him onto their 2010 roster, but I see him being at least a September callup.

Buster Posey (Giants)
Posey was called up this September after a year that saw him fly through the team’s minor league system. He hit a combined .325 with 18 homers and 80 RBIs with Single-A San Jose and Triple-A Fresno.

Bengie Molina is on his way out and Posey is their backstop of the future. Finding a fantasy catcher who hits for average and power are hard to come by.

Stuck in frigid weather this fall? You just might want to take a vacay to Arizona and watch this next group of fantasy contributors in action.