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AZL 2018 Preview and Primer

2018 Primer for the Arizona Rookie League


The Lowest Level of baseball with some of the most interesting players you have never heard of...yet.


Carson Fulmer(CWS) 
The 2018 Arizona Rookie League season is still a month away. However, there have been a number of off-season developments that I would like to attempt to cover and discuss.

AZL Primer 

If you are unfamiliar with the Arizona Rookie League AKA the AZL, don't feel bad or get a serious case of FOMO. The Arizona Rookie League is at the lowest rung of minor league baseball. It is a "complex league" that serves as a proving ground for recent draftees to cut their teeth. Many players have already played complete seasons in college or in high school so the AZL is only about 50-60 games. These games are FREE to the public and are usually played at the club's spring training facility. Every team is different however, if you know where to look you can find a #1 draft pick pitching his first professional game. 

Dansby Swanson in 2015(Practice Game)

History & 2018 Update 

In the 2017 AZL season, fourteen MLB teams outfitted fifteen AZL clubs. Every MLB team that has a facility in the Phoenix metro area had a team. In addition, the Padres outfitted 2 teams for the 2017 campaign. This trend will continue into the 2018 season with 3 more teams taking a page from the Padres. According to milb.com and other sources: The Chicago Cubs, The San Francisco Giants, and The Cleveland Indians will all outfit a second AZL club in 2018.  There may be more announced leading up to the season debut, but as confirmed right now the league will feature 18 teams.  As a side note, The Colorado Rockies are the only team to have a complex in Phoenix that does participate in the Arizona League. Lastly, no word on how the divisions will shake out..I'm guessing that they will put 6 teams in each division.

Phil Bickford(SF)

The Discussion Question: Why do you think more teams are outfitting AZL clusb?

My Answer: The VSL is done. The Dominican is becoming more and more dangerous and volatile. These spring training stadiums sit basically vacant in the summer months. In addition, these facilities in most cases are really really nice.





Next post will have links to schedules and how to get out to see some of these guys play, and depending on time a preview for who could potentially come here this year.


About Me:

I am Jake Rashkow, I am a Freelance Writer and Photographer by night and a educator by day. I have lived in Phoenix by whole life.  I love this city.

Find me on Twitter: @Ja_Kow




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