Ramsey, Piscotty among AFL participants

By Jenifer Langosch and Chad Thornburg

August 27, 2013

ST. LOUIS -- Outfielders James Ramsey and Stephen Piscotty highlight a group of seven Cardinals Minor Leaguers who have confirmed participation in the Arizona Fall League.

The AFL announced rosters for its six clubs on Tuesday. The Cardinals' players feed onto the Salt River Rafters team, which will be managed by Double-A Springfield skipper Mike Shildt. Filling out the rest of the Cardinals' list of participants are left-hander Anthony Ferrara, right-hander Sam Gaviglio, left-hander Dean Kiekhefer, left-hander Lee Stoppelman and infielder Jacob Wilson.

Ramsey (No. 23 overall), Piscotty (No. 36 overall), Wilson (10th round) and Stoppleman (24th round) were all products of the Cardinals' 2012 First-Year Player Draft. Ramsey and Piscotty have already advanced to Double-A. Ferrara, an '07 draftee, is also currently with the Springfield club. He has a 5.67 ERA and 7-5 record in 22 games (19 starts).

Ramsey, ranked by MLB.com as the Cardinals' No. 12 prospect, was promoted to Springfield early in the season. He has since hit .257 with a .358 on-base percentage, 15 homers and 44 RBIs in 90 games. Piscotty (No. 9 prospect), who has converted from a third baseman to outfielder, earned a midseason promotion from high-A. In 42 games with Springfield, Piscotty has hit .274 with a .347 on-base percentage.

Stoppelman has a combined 1.41 ERA in 51 relief appearances with high-A Palm Beach and Springfield this season. Wilson has played primarily second base in his first full professional season. He has been at both Class A levels, combining to hit .252 with a .343 on-base percentage, 18 homers, 27 doubles and 82 RBIs in 122 games.

Gaviglio will use the AFL to make up the innings lost due to injury this season. Gaviglio was placed on the disabled list in April and just recently came off. As a result, he has accrued only 40 2/3 innings this season. Kiekhefer can make up for a lost month as well with his appearances in the AFL. The lefty has a 3.61 ERA in 33 appearances between high-A and Double-A.

The AFL season will begin on Oct. 8 and continue through the Championship Game on Nov. 16.

Jenifer Langosch is a reporter for MLB.com. Read her blog, By Gosh, It's Langosch, and follow her on Twitter @LangoschMLB. Chad Thornburg is an associate reporter for MLB.com.