UNITED STATES – The Arizona Fall League stages its fourth annual Rising Stars Game on Saturday, November 7 at Surprise Stadium. The contest will be nationally televised for the first time by MLB Network and online via MLB.com.

Scouting and minor-league directors of every major-league organization, in consultation with Fall League Director Steve Cobb and his baseball personnel staff, selected the players for the showcase. Each major-league organization is represented by at least one player.

“The nation will have the opportunity to see a sampling of the array of talent that is on display in the Arizona Fall League six days a week for six weeks,” Cobb offers. “We are proud to showcase some of the top prospects in baseball to a national viewing audience for the frst time in the Rising Stars Game on Saturday night.”

Friday’s contest pits standouts from the Fall League’s East and West divisions. The East Division will feld players from the Mesa Solar Sox (Angels, Cubs, Marlins, Red Sox, Twins), Phoenix Desert Dogs (Athletics, Blue Jays, Nationals, Orioles, Rays), and Scottsdale Scorpions (Giants, Diamondbacks, Phillies, Pirates, Rockies).

The West Division roster will be stocked from the Peoria Javelinas (Brewers, Dodgers, Mariners, Tigers, White Sox), Peoria Saguaros (Astros, Braves, Indians, Padres, Reds), and Surprise Rafters (Cardinals, Mets, Rangers, Royals, Yankees).

Two 2009 frst-round draft choices – Desert Dogs right-hander Stephen Strasburg (WSH) and Peoria Saguaros left-hander Mike Minor (ATL) – are the scheduled starting pitchers. Strasburg was the frst overall selection in the draft, Minor the seventh.

The coaching staffs of the two division-leading teams through play of Saturday, October 31 earned the right to skipper Saturday’s contest. Desert Dogs’ manager Gary Cathcart and his staff – R.C. Lichtenstein (Rays), Paul Menhart (Nationals), Brian McArn (Athletics) and Moe Hill (Orioles) – will manage the East Divison club. Javelinas’ manager Kevin Bradshaw (Tigers) and his staff – Fred Dabney (Brewers), Gary Ward (White Sox) – will guide the West Division.

EAST DIVISION RISING STARS

CATCHERS:
Hank Conger (Angels) and Buster Posey (Giants).

INFIELDERS:
Brandon Allen (Diamondbacks), Starlin Castro (Cubs), Chase d’Arnaud (Pirates), Matt Dominguez (Marlins), Brandon Snyder (Orioles), Josh Vitters (Cubs) and Jemile Weeks (Athletics).

OUTFIELDERS:
Domonic Brown (Phillies), Grant Desme (Athletics), Bryan Petersen (Marlins), Jose Tabata (Pirates) and Rene Tosoni (Twins).

PITCHERS:
Andrew Cashner* (Cubs), Brandon Erbe (Orioles), Reidier Gonzalez (Blue Jays), Matt Gorgen (Rays), Andrew Johnston (Rockies), Danny Moskos (Pirates), Toru Murata (Yomiuri Giants), Blake Parker (Cubs), Matt Reynolds (Rockies), Dustin Richardson (Red Sox), Drew Storen (Nationals) and Stephen Strasburg (Nationals).

WEST DIVISION RISING STARS

CATCHERS:
Jason Castro (Astros) and Lucas May (Dodgers).

INFIELDERS:
Yonder Alonso (Reds), Zack Cozart (Reds), Ike Davis/pictured (Mets), Daniel Descalso (Cardinals), Carlos Rivero (Indians), Mike Moustakas (Royals) and Lance Zawadzki (Padres).

OUTFIELDERS:
Dustin Ackley (Mariners), Jordan Danks (White Sox), Chris Heisey (Reds), Daryl Jones (Cardinals) and Casper Wells (Tigers).

PITCHERS:
Phillippe Aumont (Mariners), Michael Dunn (Yankees), Josh Fields (Mariners), Javy Guerra (Dodgers), Danny Gutierrez (Rangers), Craig Kimbrel (Braves), Mike Leake (Reds), Mike Minor (Braves), Andrew Oliver (Tigers), Mark Rogers (Brewers) and Tanner Scheppers (Rangers).

*Unavailable to participate

Photo courtesy of Ratti/FIBS

Tags: AFL