The best sleeper prospects from the AFL

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I just returned from the Arizona Fall League, which is always one of my favorite baseball experiences of the year and one that I can't recommend highly enough. I'll repeat my standard line about how the AFL includes all of the best parts of Spring Training without any of the inconveniences of Spring Training.

As usual, the Fall League was loaded with talent, much more in terms of position players than pitchers. I'll rank the very best prospects in the development circuit in an article later this week. As a prelude to that, I thought it would be interesting to select an AFL all-prospect team comprised solely of players who didn't make our organization Top 30 lists.

My 10-man squad includes five members of the champion Surprise Saguaros:

Stephen Scott, C, Red Sox (Scottsdale)
A converted first baseman/outfielder, Scott has a patient approach and solid raw power but still needs more polish behind the plate.

Scott Schreiber, 1B, Astros (Surprise)
Schreiber gets the nod over Fall League co-batting champion (.400 BA) T.J. Rumfield (Yankees/Mesa) because he has more pop and athleticism.

Will Wagner, 2B, Astros (Surprise)
I'm cheating a bit here because Wagner played solely third base for Surprise, but he saw more action at second base during the regular season and profiles better there. The son of seven-time All-Star Billy Wagner stands out more with his instincts and approach than his pure tools yet topped the AFL in slugging (.712).

Tyler Hardman, 3B, Yankees (Mesa)
Hardman does a good job of tapping into his plus raw power and looked better at the hot corner than expected.

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Ronny Simon, SS, Rays (Mesa)
Overlooked a bit in a deep Rays system, Simon is a switch-hitter with athleticism who produced 22 homers and 34 steals during the Minor League season and led the Fall League with 24 RBIs.

Carlos de la Cruz, OF, Phillies (Surprise)
Listed at 6-foot-8 -- he insists he's an inch taller -- de la Cruz has well-above-average raw power and is surprisingly athletic for his size. He made a game-saving catch while manning center field in the AFL championship game.

Spencer Packard, OF, Mariners (Peoria)
Though Packard is only a bat-only guy, his hitting ability and pop could get him to the big leagues.

John Rave, OF, Royals (Surprise)
With close to average power, plus speed and the capability of playing all three outfield spots, Rave is similar to fellow Royals outfielder Kyle Isbel.

Grant Wolfram, LHP, Rangers (Surprise)
Wolfram impressed with his mid-90s fastball and mid-80s slider, limiting Fall League hitters to a .147 average while striking out 13 in 9 2/3 innings.

Evan Reifert, RHP, Rays (Mesa)
The AFL's reliever of the year was also its most dominant pitcher, permitting just one hit and no runs in 11 2/3 innings and fanning 25 of the 40 batters he faced. He sets up a wipeout slider in the mid-80s with a mid-90s heater.

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