August 25, 2009 at 10:34 PM
Four Sox confirmed for AFL
Arizona Fall League rosters have been announced, and four Red Sox prospects will be suiting up with the Mesa Solar Sox when play begins on October 13. According to Baseball America, pitchers Dustin Richardson and Chris Province, catcher Luis Exposito, and outfielder Ryan Kalish are all confirmed participants. The Sox will also send two additional pitchers and two infielders that will be announced at a later date.Richardson (pictured) has enjoyed a fine season split between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Pawtucket, going a combined 2-2 with a 2.62 ERA in his first full season as a reliever, striking out 83 in 65.1 innings. Chris Province has had a nice season of his own out of the Portland bullpen, putting up a 2-4 record with a 2.94 ERA in 70.1 innings pitched. Exposito, meanwhile, began the season in High-A Salem and compiled a .271/.329/.424 line with 6 home runs in 76 games before earning a promotion to Portland. He has put up even better numbers since then, pummeling the Eastern League to the tune of .361/.381/.492 in 15 games so far. It's been a similar ride for Ryan Kalish in 2009, as the 21-year-old outfielder hit a robust .304/.434/.504 with 5 home runs in 32 games for Salem before earning his promotion to Double-A. Since then, Kalish has found his home-run stroke, hitting .271/.334/.421 with 10 long balls in 89 games for Portland.
The AFL season runs from early October through mid-November, and is generally reserved for highly regarded prospects who the organization is looking to advance in the upcoming season. For more information about the AFL, check the SoxProspects.com Wiki.