New Websites; AFL Updates

MLB.com launched a new website this week to follow each major league team’s affiliates (this is a greatly expanded version of ‘Affiliate Round Up’ offered by MLB and MiLB during the 2009 season). The Nationals affiliate site can be accessed via Nationals Affiliate's


Arizona Fall League (AFL)
MLB.com is reporting that the Pirates Minor League field coordinator, and former Harrisburg Senator, Jeff Banister will be coaching the Scottsdale Scorpions this season. The Scorpions will be comprised of players from Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates and the San Francisco Giants.

Washington Natioanls players will be apart of the Phoenix Desert Dogs who will be coached by Gary Cathcart. Cathcart was drafted by the New York Yankees in 1984 and played four seasons in the Yankees organization. Cathcart has served as a coach at college and professional level since 2002, most recently in 08 & 09 with New Hampshire Fisher Cats.

The Phoenix roster is a combination of prospects from the Oakland A's, the Baltimore Orioles, Tampa Bay Rays, Toronto Blue Jays and Washington Nationals. ‘The Desert Dogs will be aiming for their sixth straight AFL title, a run difficult to explain considering that not only do the personnel change every year, but so do the organizations feeding each AFL roster.’

The Nationals are scheduled to send the following players:
RHP Jeff Mandel
RHP Drew Storen
RHP Stephen Strasburg
RHP Josh Wilkie
C Derek Norris
SS Danny Espinosa
1B Chris Marrero

Note: Also appearing on the Desert Dogs roster is former Senator Josh Perrault (now with the Baltimore Orioles).

Opening Day for the AFL is October 13, 2009. You can follow the AFL season on MLB’s AFL Page; entire Winter League coverage is available at MLB Winter League