Timber Rattlers Heading to Arizona Fall League
The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers are well-represented at the 2022 Arizona Fall League. Six former Timber Rattlers have been named to the Glendale Desert Dogs roster. Additionally, 2022 pitching coach Will Schierholz will be on the Desert Dogs coaching staff. Glendale begins the season on October 3.
The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers are well-represented at the 2022 Arizona Fall League. Six former Timber Rattlers have been named to the Glendale Desert Dogs roster. Additionally, 2022 pitching coach Will Schierholz will be on the Desert Dogs coaching staff. Glendale begins the season on October 3.
Five Timber Rattlers from the 2022 team are slated to be a part of the Desert Dogs. Pitchers Ryan Middendorf and Russell Smith will be joined by Jeferson Quero, Zavier Warren, and Tyler Black. Je’Von Ward, a Timber Rattler from 2019 and 2021, is also set to be on the team.
Two other Milwaukee Brewers pitching prospects – Abner Uribe and Logan Henderson – are also heading to Glendale for the AFL season. Uribe is the #26 prospect in the Milwaukee system and Henderson, Milwaukee’s #24 prospect, was the Brewers 4th round pick in 2021.
2022 GLENDALE DESERT DOGS 🐺
— MLB's Arizona Fall League (@MLBazFallLeague) September 16, 2022
📍@camelbackranch
- @WhiteSox
- @Dodgers
- @Reds
- @Twins
- @Brewers pic.twitter.com/iQ2xrUtkej
MLB Pipeline had this to say about the Black and Quero selections for the Arizona Fall League:
Black entered pro ball with a reputation as a plus hitter and was meeting expectations with a .406 OBP and 44/45 K/BB ratio in 64 games at High-A Wisconsin before suffering a left scapula fracture in July. If he’s healthy, his combination of approach and versatility could be very useful to the Desert Dogs. Quero missed some time with his own right shoulder injury but enjoyed a .286/.342/.439 line in 95 games during his first jump to full-season ball at Single-A Carolina. Though he’s a solid hitter, the 19-year-old might be even better defensively behind the plate and will get a big assignment working with an AFL staff.
There are two other Timber Rattlers alumni who will be playing for other teams in the Arizona Fall League.
David Fry, a catcher for Wisconsin in 2019, spent the 2022 season with the Columbus Clippers, the Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians. Fry is set to be with the Peoria Javelinas.
Evan Reifert, a pitcher with the Rattlers in 2021, is in the Tampa Bay Rays system and has spent most of his time with the Bowling Green Hot Rods in the South Atlantic League this season. Reifert is scheduled to pitch for the Mesa Solar Sox.
The AFL is a six-team league that features some of the top prospects in baseball. Each team plays thirty games and the season ends with the ALF Championship Game on November 12.