The Salt River Rafters might be the dullest team in Arizona, but what do you expect when the team is made up of Astros, D-Backs, Dodgers, Rockies, and Tigers?
Tim Wheeler OF (COL): Wheeler really exploded onto the scene this season, and he rocketed high on the prospect radar. He has power and speed, and he can play anywhere in the outfield, though he’s better-suited for a corner. He’ll most likely begin next season in AAA, but a good AFL and Spring Training might convince the Rockies to bring him on up.
Adam Eaton OF (ARI): No, not that one. This Adam Eaton is a small guy with a big stick, and while he might not hit 20 home runs, he can hit and get on base. Eaton is just down here for more reps.
Jake Goebbert OF (HOU): Houston can use all the help they can get, so while Goebbert really isn’t standout player, he does enough things well that he can certainly help. He’s probably not an everyday player, but a repeat performance in 2012 might change that. Like Eaton, he’s down here for more reps.
Ryan Wheeler 3B (ARI): Arizona is trying to convert him to third base from first, but no one seems to think he’ll stay. Wheeler can hit a bit, but if he has to go back to first, he won’t hit enough in all likelihood. No harm in trying, though.
Nolan Arenado 3B (COL): Arenado is probably the best prospect on the team, and he is a good one. He is a young guy, but he can hit and could really breakout next season in a big way. Defensively, he’s not great, but he is getting better. He’s down in Arizona to give him a little challenge and a taste of what he’ll get in AA next season.
Jason Castro C (HOU): No longer a prospect, Castro’s season was wrecked by injuries, and he’s getting a few innings and reps in out in Arizona. He is a strong defensive catcher who has some offensive upside, but he’s probably no more than a solid everyday guy.
Casey Crosby LHP (Tigers): Crosby could be the best pitching prospect on this team, but because of all the injuries we may never know. He has a huge arm and a nasty breaking ball, but he can’t put it together in a full season. Once he does that, he could stand to improve that control quite a bit. Crosby could be anything from a flameout to a superstar. He’s down here for some more innings.
Andrew Oliver LHP (DET): Oliver certainly throws hard enough, but he really has nothing else, which is a shame because he looks like a workhorse type pitcher. He just has no other decent pitch, and he’s likely to settle into a middle relief role. I’m not entirely sure why he’s here.
Casey Weathers RHP (COL): Weathers is a bit of an enigma. When you look at him from a scouting perspective, he has the fastball and breaking ball to be a knockout late-inning reliever, but he’s just terrible in practice, mainly due to his poor control. If he can somehow harness it, he’s got a spot in Colorado whenever he wants it.
Josh Zeid RHP (HOU): Zeid was the unknown sent from Philadelphia in the Hunter Pence trade. He has a big fastball and a nasty slider, and his change isn’t all that bad. His control, however, isn’t very good. The Astros have seemingly moved him into a bullpen role, and he could probably excel there, though he’ll need to improve the control a bit to become a late-inning guy. Good reports from Arizona so far have everyone a bit more excited about him.
