Seven Cards prospects headed for Fall League

PITTSBURGH -- Four players listed on MLB.com's Top 20 Cardinals prospect list will represent the organization on the Peoria Javelinas Arizona Fall League club, which will begin play on Oct. 7.

Outfielder Charlie Tilson (No. 7), right-hander Sam Tuivailala (No. 13), right-hander Tyrell Jenkins (No. 14) and infielder Jacob Wilson (No. 19) headline the group of participating prospects. The Cardinals are also sending right-hander Mitch Harris, right-hander Chris Perry and catcher Cody Stanley to the distinguished Fall League.

Five of those players are currently with the Cardinals' Double-A affiliate in Springfield, while Jenkins and Perry are pitching for the Class A Advanced team in Palm Beach. Jenkins will use the AFL experience to accrue innings lost in his shortened season. He made his season debut on June 17 after spending 10 months recovering from shoulder surgery.

Tilson, who was recently named to the Florida State League postseason All-Star team, has already played in a career-high 118 games while hitting .287/.333/.389 combined at two levels. Wilson currently leads that Springfield club with a .305 average, while Stanley has hit .295/.350/.445 with 12 homers and 42 RBIs in 96 Double-A games.

Harris has the most unique back story of any of the seven players, as he is wrapping up his second year of professional ball despite being taken by the Cardinals in the 13th round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft. Harris had to put his career on hold while first serving five years in the military, during which he rose to the rank of lieutenant. He received his release from the Navy in January 2013 and has already risen to Double-A.

Harris, 28, has pitched in 39 games (Class A Advanced and Double-A combined) and posted a 4.22 ERA and 1.16 WHIP while allowing an opponents' batting average of .221.

The Cardinals will also be represented in the AFL by Jason Simontacchi, who will serve as the Peoria pitching coach. The Javelinas draw Minor League players from the Cardinals, Braves, Indians, Rays and Royals organizations.