Arizona Fall League 2013 update: Braves 2B Tommy La Stella looking to impress

A number of top prospects are playing in the Arizona Fall League. Some are more impressive than others.

Oct 27, 2013, 5:38 PM UTC

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Fall League is in full swing and some of baseball’s top prospects continue to work. Some are doing better than others, but in a league described as a “finishing school” for young players, teams have to be pleased with their prospects’ career trajectories thus far.

The Cubs have several young stars working in Arizona. Kris Bryant is one of those players, and he has shone so far. Bryant has already slugged four home runs -- top in the AFL -- while hitting .429/.468/.905. Jorge Soler has not fared quite so well, but is holding his own. He hasn't drawn many walks in his first 10 games, but a .298 average is supplementing his OBP for now.

A third Cubs prospect, Albert Almora is impressing with an 874 OPS as five of his 11 hits have gone for extra bases. In addition, while both Soler and Bryant are averaging over a strikeout per game, Almora has been shut down on strikes just three times so far.
Perhaps the top prospect in all of baseball, Twins outfielder Byron Buxton is young for the league at just 19 years old. So while he has dominated the lower rungs of the minors, it's not surprising that he is struggling in the AFL. In seven games, he has struck out 10 times while hitting .200/.242/.433. He has already hit two home runs, at least.
Addison Russell is another 19-year-old youngster. The Athletics shortstop has also seen some struggles through his first 10 games with a 688 OPS. Russell showed good power with 17 home runs in just his second professional season, and has continued that in the AFL as five of his nine hits have gone for extra bases.
The player raising his profile the most may be Braves second baseman Tommy La Stella. La Stella is 24 and reached Double-A for the first time in 2013, but has always hit wherever he was. That has continued in the Arizona Fall League, where he has a 1159 OPS, second to Bryant. With rumors that the Braves could be trying to dump Dan Uggla, La Stella may have a future spot in Atlanta's lineup.
On the mound, Twins prospect Alex Meyer is likely the most highly touted pitcher in the league. Ranked a top-40 prospect prior to 2013 by MLB.com, the 23-year-old continued to baffle hitters in his second pro season. That has continued in the AFL, where he has made four starts and thrown over 12 innings, allowing just four runs while striking out 12 batters.