These Two Angels Prospects Were Rated Among Top 30 In Arizona Fall League

The Los Angeles Angels didn’t have high expectations going into the Arizona Fall League (AFL) season. They had a couple of players with some potential, but no one who seemed particularly exciting.

That was before Raudi Rodriguez and Juan Flores arrived. Every team has a prospect that comes out of nowhere the shoot up through the ranks and get the fan base excited, and Rodriguez was that guy for the Angels.

He was also the surprising MVP in the AFL All-Star game, which is dubbed the “Fall-Star” game. Rodriguez was a star among stars in that one, getting a pair of hits for the American League squad and outshining several far more lauded prospects in the process.

Rodriguez got recognized for his contributions. He made several top prospect lists as the AFL season came to a close, with Jim Callis of MLB.com ranking him 22nd on their list of the top 30. His teammate, catcher Juan Flores, rounded out the list at 30th.

So how far can Rogriguez go? He’ll get a long look in spring training for sure, and the recent trade of Taylor Ward to the Baltimore Orioles for starter Grayson Rodriguez has opened up the Angels’ outfield logjam to some extent. The Angels could really use a defensive centerfielder who can cover ground, and that’s part of Rodriguez’s game.

It’s something of a long shot as to whether Rodriguez can make the Opening Day roster, but it can’t be ruled out. The Angels have a new rookie manager in Kurt Suzuki, so a lot of players will have a chance to make a good first impression.

Rodriguez will probably open the season in Triple A depending on how he does in spring training, but an in-season debut isn’t a long shot by any means. He’ll open the season at Salt Lake, but Angels fans will be watching him closely.

Another player to watch from the AFL is catcher Juan Flores, who also appeared in the Fall-Star game. Flores is a defensive standout who actually nailed a wandering runner at first during the game, and while he does have a long way to go offensively, he, too, will get a good look in the spring.

That’s especially true with Suzuki taking the reins. The new manager had a 15-year big league career as a catcher, and Suzuki knows defense, so it’s not at all far fetched that he could take Flores under his wing for some extra tutelage. There could be more from new pitching coach Mike Maddux, too, and Maddux also knows how to use a catcher to help manage a staff and get the most out of pitchers.