Heyward, other Braves prospects to join Arizona Fall League

By Carroll Rogers

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Minor league outfielder Jason Heyward and first baseman Freddie Freeman headline this year’s Braves class of invitees to the Arizona Fall League.

Heyward and Freeman will join shortstop Brandon Hicks as the Braves’ three position players, along with a set of four pitchers: first-round pick left-hander Mike Minor, now with Class A Rome, who was designated as a starter; and Class AA Mississippi relievers Craig Kimbrel, Jeff Lyman and Lee Hyde, according to Kurt Kemp, Braves director of player development.

All of them will play for the Peoria Saguaros. They report Oct. 7 and play their first game Oct. 13.

Playing well in the Arizona Fall League can be a springboard to the major leagues, as last year’s AFL MVP can attest. Tommy Hanson is now 9-2 with a 3.12 ERA three months into his major league tenure with the Braves. But at the very least, this is a chance to measure the franchise’s best prospects against the best prospects in baseball.

“It’s a very, very good competition level,” Kemp said. “It’s an All-Star group of players.”

Often an invitation to the Arizona Fall League can be a pre-cursor to an invitation to the major league spring camp and, for some, a shot at the big league roster.

“We think it helps them take a step closer to the big leagues,” Kemp said. “Whether they are ready for camp next year is a decision for upper management, but this is an integral step.”