2021 AFL rosters released

The rosters for the 2021 Arizona Fall League have been announced, and the Texas Rangers have a number of well regarded prospects who will be participating for the Surprise Saguaros.

On the position player side, Justin Foscue, Sam Huff, and Ezequiel Duran will be part of the Saguaros squad. On the pitching side, the Rangers are sending Owen White, Tim Brennan, Eudrys Manon and Spencer Mraz.

The hitters are the ones who are particularly noteworthy, with all three of them generally seen as being among the Rangers’ top ten prospects. Foscue, the team’s 2020 first rounder, and Huff both missed significant time with injuries this year, so this is an opportunity for them to get additional at bats in game action to help make up for some of that lost time.

Duran, a 22 year old infielder who came over from the New York Yankees in the Joey Gallo trade, had 471 plate appearances on the year, though he struggled some after the deal. Duran is Rule 5 eligible this offseason, and while I think the Rangers almost certainly protect him, this could be an opportunity for them to see him get more reps against somewhat more advanced pitchers than he saw in A ball.

Owen White is the notable name among the pitchers. The righthander was the team’s second round pick in 2018, missed all of 2019 due to Tommy John surgery, then had his 2020 wiped out with the COVID pandemic. He was the Opening Day starter for the low-A Down East Wood Ducks, but landed on the injured list when he punched the ground in frustration during that game and broke his hand. White returned in early August and made seven more starts, as well as pitching in a Ducks playoff game. This is an opportunity to get him some additional innings, and let him face higher quality hitters.

Tim Brennan was a 7th round pick in 2018 out of St. Josephs. He had a middling 2019 season followed by the COVID 2020, and pitched seven games for Frisco in 2020, but missed most of the season due to injury.

Eudrys Manon is a 23 year old righthanded pitcher from the Dominican Republic who signed in February, 2019, and pitched in 2019 in the Dominican Summer League in relief. He started the year in early July in the ACL bullpen, then moved to Down East in mid-July, where he had a 2.78 ERA in 22.2 IP over 16 games while striking out 36 of 95 batters faced. I don’t really know anything about him.

Spencer Mraz is a 23 year old righthander who was taken in the 33rd round of the 2019 draft out of Miami of Ohio. He put up a 5.23 ERA between Down East and Hickory in 41.1 IP in a relief role.

Arizona Fall League action starts up on October 13, with the Fall Stars Game on November 13, and the AFL Championship Game on November 20.