Peoria Roster Includes Four Corpus Christi Pitchers

 

CORPUS CHRISTI -- Pitchers Evan Englebrook, Chia-Jen Lo, Wilton Lopez and Danny Meszaros, catcher Jason Castro, and infielder German Duran have been selected to compete in the Arizona Fall League with the Peoria Saguaros.

 

The Saguaros are comprised of players from the Houston, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Cleveland, and San Diego organizations. They will be managed by former major league infielder David Bell, current manager of the Carolina Mudcats, Cincinnati's Southern League Double-A affiliate. 

 

Jon Gaston, an outfielder at High-A Lancaster (California League), is the seventh Astros prospect on the Peoria roster.

 

The Saguaros join the Mesa Solar Sox, Peoria Javelinas, Phoenix Desert Dogs, Scottsdale Scorpions, and Surprise Rafters in the six-team circuit. Games are played in the spring training venues used by the Giants, Mariners, Padres, Cubs, A's, Royals, and Rangers.

 

Each August, major league clubs hold a position draft to determine players who will go to Arizona. Most are Double-A and Triple-A players. Each club can opt to send one Class A player.

 

The 2009 season begins October 13 and concludes November 19, with a championship game on the 21st.

 

Over 1,700 players with AFL experience have gone on to MLB. Thirty-eight of the 2009 MLB all-stars played in the AFL, which counts Jason Giambi, Ryan Howard, Justin Morneau, Dustin Pedroia, Jimmy Rollins, and Albert Pujols as alums. Cy Young winners Chris Carpenter, Roy Halladay and Brandon Webb also toiled in the desert.