After the 2020 campaign was cancelled due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Arizona Fall League returned for its 29th season this past Wednesday. The Glendale Desert Dogs roster consists of 37 players, including eight Los Angeles Dodgers prospects.
This year’s group includes pitchers Jeff Belge, Kyle Hurt, Landon Knack and Bobby Miller, catcher Carson Taylor, infielders Jacob Amaya and Kody Hoese, and outfielder James Outman.
Belge, who was selected in the 18th round of the 2019 MLB Draft, struggled in 31 appearances for High-A Great Lakes this season, going 2-2 with a 5.61 ERA and 1.69 WHIP over 43.1 innings.
Hurt, acquired from the Miami Marlins this past February, also had a disappointing year as he posted a collective 2-2 record, 5.57 ERA and 1.33 WHIP in 21 innings across 12 appearances between the Dodgers’ Rookie-level affiliate and Low-A Rancho Cucamonga.
Knack, the Dodgers’ second-round selection in the 2020 MLB Draft, compiled a 7-1 record, 3.18 ERA and 0.93 WHIP over 62.1 innings in 16 combined appearances (11 starts) between the Loons and Double-A Tulsa.
Miller is perhaps the most notable Dodgers farmhand on the Desert Dogs roster as MLB Pipeline ranks him the No. 8 prospect in the organization. He went 2-2 with a 2.40 ERA and 0.94 WHIP in 56.1 innings across 17 appearances (14 starts) for High-A Great Lakes and Double-A Tulsa.
Taylor, taken in the fourth round of the 2020 MLB Draft, hit .278/.371/.433 with 16 doubles, nine home runs and 54 RBI across 342 plate appearances in his first professional season for High-A Great Lakes (79 games).
Amaya, who received a non-roster invite from the Dodgers in Spring Training this year, batted .216/.303/.343 with 15 doubles, 12 home runs and 47 RBI over 476 plate appearances for Double-A Tulsa (113 games).
Hoese, the Dodgers’ first-round selection in the 2019 MLB Draft, did not fare well at the plate as he hit just .196/.247/.250 with eight doubles, two home runs and 20 RBI in 283 plate appearances between the Dodgers’ Rookie-level affiliate and Double-A Tulsa (69 games).
Outman, the Dodgers’ No. 27 ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline, mashed to the tune of a .266/.379/.490 slash line with 21 doubles, nine triples, 18 home runs, 54 RBI and 23 stolen bases in 304 plate appearances between High-A Great Lakes and Double-A Tulsa (104 games).
Desert Dogs’ schedule, Fall Stars Game & AFL Championship
The Desert Dogs began their 30-game schedule against the Scottsdale Scorpions on Wednesday.
The annual Fall Stars Game will take place on Saturday, Nov. 13, while the AFL Championship Game is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 20.
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