When the rest of the Tigers are going home, Cameron's going to Phoenix.

When the regular season ends, the baseball year is not yet over for the top baseball prospects. They continue on to the Arizona Fall League, where six teams are comprised of prospects from six different teams.

One caveat – while the hitters will be among the best, the pitchers will not. More often than not, teams are reluctant to send elite pitchers to the AFL, as no team wants a future ace injured due to extra innings tacked on to their arms. You will see quality arms out here occasionally, but they are players that have lost time due to injury or contract issues and need extra innings. So, while I have seen an occasional pitching prospect like a James Shields, one is far more likely to see the likes of a Delmon Young.

Who is going this year? Here are your top ten AFL prospects to watch:

1. Cameron Maybin, Outfielder, Detroit Tigers – Is there anything that Cameron Maybin cannot do? Okay, he cannot pitch, but besides that, no, not really. Already up in the bigs, Maybin is not likely to hang around the AFL long, as he will be there mostly to hone what he has already been working on. One of the best prospects in the game, period.


2. Evan Longoria, Third Base, Tampa Bay Devil Rays – A power hitting stud corner, Longoria has 25 homers, 92 RBI, and 94 runs in 129 between Double-A and Triple-A. A successful AFL season all but guarantees that he will open the 2008 season in the majors.


3. Max Scherzer, Starting Pitcher, Arizona Diamondbacks – Scherzer signed late after being drafted last year, spending the year in indy ball before making his “pro” debut this year. Making just three appearances in A-ball, Scherzer has spent most of this season in Double-A, where he is 3-4 with a 4.19 ERA and 71:35 K/BB ratio.


4. Andrew McCutchen, Outfielder, Pittsburgh Pirates – Despite disappointing Double-A numbers, McCutchen was moved up late this season to Triple-A anyway, and he has seen a rise in his batting average, but his power – just one homer and three RBI in 11 games – is still lacking. Still very young and a toolsy prospect, McCutchen still has a ways to go, and is this high on potential, not what he has proven.


5. Jeff Clement, Catcher, Seattle Mariners – The top catching prospect in the game, Clement has nothing to prove, with the only question left being where he will play in 2008.


6. Blake DeWitt, Second Base/Third Base, Los Angeles Dodgers – DeWitt has played second and third and where he will end up is still an unanswered question. His mediocre power numbers – 13 homers and 62 RBI this year – suggest middle infield, and the AFL could help determine his future role.


7. Greg Miller, Starting Pitcher, Los Angeles Dodgers – If not for injuries, this stud arm would already be in the bigs, but he has lost significant time and progress over the last few seasons. Still just 22, there is plenty of time left in his arm.


8. Trevor Crowe, Outfielder, Cleveland Indians – Another prospect with much to prove, Crowe is hitting just .257 with five home runs in 125 games in Double-A. Crowe did not hit for power last year either, but he at least hit over 70 points higher than he is now.


9. Colby Rasmus, Outfielder, St. Louis Cardinals – Rasmus, not Rick Ankiel, is the best hitting outfield prospect in this system. Rasmus has crushed the ball so far this year, with 27 home runs, 70 RBI, and 88 runs in 122 games in the Texas League. Rasmus will likely open in Triple-A next year, but his performance in the AFL could determine how long he stays there.


10. Chris Lubanski, Outfield, Kansas City Royals – Lubanski finally looked like he had things together in the Double-A Texas League this year, hitting .295 with 9 home runs, 34 RBI, and 33 runs in 64 games. However, the former first rounder has been a bust at Triple-A, hitting just .211 with 5 home runs, 19 RBI, and 19 runs in 42 games. Lubanski makes the list not so much for what he has done heading into the AFL, but for what he needs to do there. This is Lubanski’s chance to prove he is still a prospect. If he fails here, he is done.

Next week, Shannon McCarthy will be back with the top ten first basemen.

Questions and comments may be sent to markhaverty@sportsgrumblings.com