September 17, 2022

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

Five Canadians have been selected to play in the prestigious Arizona Fall League (AFL).

The AFL is an October/November circuit comprised of six teams, with each big league organization sending seven top prospects to fill the rosters.

The five Canadians selected are:

Tyler Black (Stouffville, Ont.) - Glendale Desert Dogs

Taken 33rd overall by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2021 MLB draft, Black has excelled with the High-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers this season, batting .281 and posting a .406 on-base percentage (OBP) in 64 games. Among his 65 hits, the versatile 22-year-old, who has played second base, third base and outfield this season, are 13 doubles, four triples and four home runs. The Toronto Mets alum has also stolen 13 bases.

Edouard Julien (Quebec City, Que.) - Glendale Desert Dogs

It’s been a breakout year for Julien with the Minnesota Twins’ double-A Wichita Wind Surge. The Twins’ 18th round pick in the 2019 draft owns a .301 batting average and a .442 OBP with 17 home runs and 19 stolen bases in 111 games. The 23-year-old ABC and Junior National Team alum has also scored 77 runs and drawn 97 walks while serving as the Wind Surge’s starting second baseman.

Denzel Clarke (Pickering, Ont.) - Mesa Solar Sox

Chosen in the fourth round (127th overall) by the Oakland A’s in the 2021 MLB draft, Clarke has dazzled with his power and speed in tenures with the class-A Stockton Ports and High-A Lansing Lugnuts this season. In a combined 93 games, the Toronto Mets alum has 15 home runs and 30 stolen bases. He also boasts a healthy .365 OBP to go along with 67 runs and 23 doubles.

Adam Macko (Stony Plain, Alta.) - Peoria Javelins

Born in Bratislava, Slovakia, Macko settled with his family in Stony Plan, Alta., and developed a passion for baseball. After honing his skills with the Vauxhall Jets, the 6-foot left-hander was selected in the seventh round of the 2019 MLB draft by the Seattle Mariners. In eight starts with High-A Everett this season, he has struck out a whopping 60 batters in 38 innings. His season ERA is 3.99.

Cade Smith (Abbotsford, B.C.) - Peoria Javelins

Signed as a free agent by the Cleveland Guardians following the 2020 MLB draft, this Abbotsford Cardinals and Junior National Team alum has been dominant at High-A and double-A this season. In 43 combined relief appearances, he owns a 3.07 ERA and has struck 97 in just 58 2/3 innings. The 23-year-old right-hander has also collected 13 saves and allowed just 38 hits.

It should also be noted that Tyler Enns (East St. Paul, Man.), who is a strength and conditioning coach for the Atlanta Braves, will also be making the trek to the AFL, serving as a trainer for Scottsdale Scorpions.

The Toronto Blue Jays have also announced five prospects that will be headed to the AFL to compete for the Salt River Rafters:

Hagen Danner, RHP

Anders Tolhurst, RHP

Addison Barger, INF

Tanner Morris, INF

Zach Britton, OF

From the Official Major League Baseball AFL Release:

The AFL is comprised of six teams, with each Major League organization sending seven (7) top prospects to fill the rosters. The AFL teams and their MLB affiliates will be as follows for the 2022 Fall League season:

-Glendale Desert Dogs (Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, Minnesota Twins)

-Mesa Solar Sox (Chicago Cubs, Miami Marlins, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, Tampa Bay Rays)

-Peoria Javelinas (Cleveland Guardians, New York Mets, San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners, Washington Nationals)

-Salt River Rafters (Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies, Detroit Tigers, St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays)

-Scottsdale Scorpions (Atlanta Braves, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Angels, San Francisco Giants)

-Surprise Saguaros (Houston Astros, Kansas City Royals, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, Texas Rangers)

The AFL’s six coaching staffs will be managed by the following individuals, all of whom are currently Minor League Managers: Justin Jirschele (Glendale; Chicago White Sox), Bobby Crosby (Mesa; Oakland Athletics), Reid Brignac (Peoria; New York Mets), Warren Schaeffer (Salt River; Colorado Rockies), Matt Tuiasosopo (Scottsdale; Atlanta Braves) and Mickey Storey (Surprise; Houston Astros).

New Rules

MLB also announced that after testing this season in the Minor Leagues, the following new playing rules will be implemented in the Arizona Fall League: pitch timer, restriction on defensive positioning, larger bases and the Automatic Ball-Strike System (“ABS”) Challenge. This Challenge System, which allows hitters, pitchers, and catchers to challenge an umpire's call at the plate with the ABS System, only will be tested at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick and Chase Field.

Below is a summary of new playing rules that will be used during the Arizona Fall League:

-Pitch Timer: After successful testing in MiLB that reduced game times on average by 26 minutes, the Major League rule recently approved by the Competition Committee will be implemented to enforce time limits between delivery of pitches, inning breaks, and pitching changes.

-Defensive Positioning: As recently approved by the Major League Competition Committee, the defensive team must have a minimum of four players on the infield, each of whom must have both feet completely in front of the outer boundary of the infield, and two infielders must be positioned entirely on each side of second base.

-Larger Bases: To reduce player injuries and collisions – and create shorter distances between bases to impact the success rate of stolen base attempts - the size of first, second, and third base will be increased from 15 inches square to 18 inches square.

-ABS Challenge: The Automatic Ball-Strike (“ABS”) Challenge System that began in the Florida State League in 2022 will be implemented on the experimental level at the Arizona Fall League for games played at Salt River Fields and Chase Field. Batters, Pitchers, and Catchers will have the opportunity to challenge an umpire's ball or strike call if they feel it is incorrect. All challenges will be evaluated by the ABS system to determine the outcome. Both teams are allowed three challenges and will be awarded their challenge back if correct.

Schedule

The 2022 AFL season is set to open on Monday, October 3rd, with additional season highlights including:

-The new Chase Field Tripleheader on Saturday, October 15th

-The annual Fall Stars Game on Sunday, November 6th, which will now be preceded by the inaugural AFL Home Run Derby on Saturday, November 5th. Both events will take place at Sloan Park.

-The AFL Championship Game will be played on Saturday, November 12th at Scottsdale Stadium on Saturday, November 12th.