After each minor league season, the Arizona Fall League is held in, shockingly, Arizona. Each major league team can send six prospects- five of them are to be Double-A or Triple-A players, while each team can send one player considered a “Class A” player. So, really, an invite to the AFL should be considered an honor (even if some of the players are worn out after a long season!).

These 180 players are split into six teams, and then they play a schedule of about a month and a half, starting in early October. They play at major league spring training sites, so that’s an added bonus for the guys invited.

The preliminary rosters have been released, and ATVL has found six former Valley Leaguers that will attend the AFL, assuming none of them get hurt or replaced. Congrats to all six! Here they are:

1. Ashur Tolliver (Harrisonburg 2007)- Glendale Desert Dogs. Ashur pitched for High-A Frederick and Double-A Bowie in 2014, but threw only 37 1/3 total innings because of injury problems.

2. Jacob Wilson (Luray 2009)- Peoria Javelinas. Jacob also struggled with injury issues in 2014. He played for High-A Palm Beach and Double-A Springfield, and hit a robust 302/362/460 in 252 total at-bats over the two levels.

3. Drew Granier (Harrisonburg 2009-10)- Mesa Solar Sox. Drew was flying through the minors until a hiccup this year at Double-A Midland and Triple-A Sacramento.  Over the two levels this year, Drew has gone 7-7, 4.82, with 137 hits, 72 walks, and 92 strikeouts in 127  innings pitched.

4. Eric Stamets (Haymarket 2010)- Mesa Solar Sox. Eric struggled with his health a bit this year, too, and hit 233/292/304 in 335 at-bats for Double-A Arkansas.

5. Kaleb Fleck (Waynesboro 2008, 2010)- Salt River Rafters. Kaleb has had a very good 2014 season at Double-A Mobile. He’s currently 7-3, 2.45, with 17 saves, 27 walks, and 76 strikeouts in 62 1/3 innings.

6. Matt Brazis (Winchester 2009, 2011)- Surprise Saguaros. Matt has thrown very, very well ever since he was drafted in the 28th round in 2012. For his career so far, he’s 8-6, 2.91, with 13 saves, 50 walks, and 191 strikeouts in 157 2/3 innings pitched. And that includes almost 100 innings pitched at the launching pad that is High Desert in the Cal League!

ATVL will be following along while these six, hopefully, play in the AFL!