2019 Arizona Fall League Roster Analysis: Glendale Desert Dogs

Top Prospects: The Desert Dogs are headlined by Cardinals outfielder Dylan Carlson and Reds infielder Jonathan India, who check in at No. 27 and No. 52 on the most recent iteration of BA’s Top 100 Prospects list. Carlson has been pushed aggressively by the Cardinals and has responded to every challenge. He began the season as the fourth-youngest player (and second youngest position player) in the Texas League, and slammed a league-best 21 home runs before being promoted to Triple-A Memphis.

India, the fifth overall pick in the 2018 draft, held his own in the pitcher-friendly Florida State League for the season’s first half before being promoted to Double-A Chattanooga. He brings a balanced skill set on both sides of the ball and enough athleticism to be tested in the outfield, if necessary.

The Intriguing: Cardinals catcher Ivan Herrera’s success has been somewhat cloaked this year, but he’s quietly been one of the most productive catchers in the game. He began the year as the third-youngest player in the Midwest League—he won’t turn 20 until next June—but his 135 wRC+ was the second-highest among any of the league’s backstops. He’s continued to produce after a promotion to high Class A Palm Beach.

White Sox first baseman Gavin Sheets worked to incorporate his legs into his swing more often, and the results have been stark. In the second half at Double-A Birmingham, Sheets has hit. 303/.379/.511 with 13 doubles and eight home runs. This is an especially encouraging sign after he hit just six at high Class A Winston-Salem in his first full season as a pro.

Reds righthander Cory Thompson is a converted infielder who is in his third year as a pitcher and struck out 51 against 18 walks in 56.2 innings this season between high Class A Daytona and Double-A Chattanooga. Brewers backstop Payton Henry was a beast in spring training and showed off intriguing power at high Class A Carolina while splitting time behind the plate with Mario Feliciano. Henry has caught 38 percent of runners attempting to steal.

The Rehabbing: Cardinals third baseman Elehuris Montero missed two months with a broken left hamate bone and will try to make up the lost at-bats. 

Dodgers infielder Omar Estevez missed a month and change with a pulled left hamstring. Dodgers righthander Gerardo Carrillo missed three weeks with lat and shoulder soreness and second baseman Devin Mann missed one month with a right knee contusion.

UPDATE — Sept. 6: The Cardinals removed Dylan Carlson from the roster and replaced him with Conner Capel, whom they acquired along with Jhon Torres from the Indians in exchange for outfielder Oscar Mercado. The Brewers removed Nathan Kirby, Tristen Lutz and Payton Henry from the roster and replaced them with Robbie Hitt and Jacob Gatewood.

Opening Night Update: The Cardinals have added righthander Seth Elledge, and the White Sox have cleared outfielder Micker Adolfo to participate.