The New York Yankees will be well-represented at the Arizona Fall League.
Miguel Andujar, Tyler Wade, Gleyber Torres and Greg Bird will play in the AFL for the #Yankees this season
— Matt Kardos (@mattkardos) August 31, 2016
Every year, a position draft is held in August, which helps determine which players will be sent to play in the fall league. Most players are Double-A and Triple-A level players, but each club can elect to send one player who is considered a Class-A player.
It’s easy for people to overlook the Arizona Fall League, but some of the best talent in the sport participate in these games. Nearly 60 percent of players who played in the Arizona Fall League end up making their way to the Major Leagues, and many find a ton of success once they are added onto their respective team’s big league roster.
In total, 212 All-Stars, 12 MVPs, four CY Young Award Winners, three World Series MVPs, 66 Silver Sluggers, 58 Golden Gloves, and 25 Rookies of the Year winners have played in the Arizona Fall League. These numbers go to show you that some of the game’s bright young stars have benefited from the extra playing opportunities that this league has to offer.
This year, Miguel Andujar, Tyler Wade, Gleyber Torres and Greg Bird have been selected from the Yankees organization to participate. These four players hope that they will be the next young talents who find their way to successful big league careers after playing in the Arizona Fall League.
Andujar, 21, is the Yankees No. 8 ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline. In split time between Class-A advanced and Double-A this season, the Dominican Republic native has posted a slash line of .271/.332/.404 in 125 games. The third baseman is known for a strong throwing arm, but scouts say the young prospects needs to be more consistent both offensively and defensively.
Gary Denbo says Tyler Wade play second, shortstop and outfield in the Arizona Fall League. Gleyber Torres will play both second and short.
— Lohud Yankees Blog (@LoHudYankees) August 31, 2016
According to Gary Denbo, the Yankees Vice President of Player Development, both Wade and Torres will likely both see their playing time this fall scattered between multiple positions.
Wade, the team’s No. 15 ranked prospect, has played both second base and shortstop this season, but will likely see some time in the outfield this fall. Versatility could be a huge benefit for Wade, as the Yankees are loaded with middle infield talent and could use some players who have the ability to play multiple positions. The 21-year-old has posted a slash line of .265/.358/.358 in 128 games with Double-A Trenton this season.
After the Yankees acquired Torres in a mid-season trade from the Chicago Cubs, many scouts felt the 19-year-old might best be suited moving to another position. Although he has only played shortstop in his pro career, Torres will play some second base, as the Yankees hope to find the right defensive position for their No. 2 rated prospect. In 123 games between the Cubs and Yankees organization this season, the 19-year-old has posted a slash line of .273/.358/.426.
Bird was forced to miss the entire 2016 season after undergoing surgery to repair a labrum tear in his right shoulder.  In just 46 games with the big league club back in 2015, Bird showed a lot of promise, as he slugged 11 homers and drove in 31 RBIs for the Bronx Bombers.
For the Yankees, this is a perfect opportunity to hopefully get Bird back into game action, as they hope he is ready to take over the starting first baseman position to start the 2017 season. If Bird can return back to form, the Yankees will have another young talented bat in their lineup for next season.
The Arizona Fall League begins on October 11, and will run up until November 19. More information on the Arizona Fall League can be found here.
