Top baseball prospects set to shine in Surprise

The best prospects in baseball will be showcased when the Arizona Fall League stages its fourth annual Rising Stars Game at 6:15 p.m. Saturday in Surprise Stadium.

Each major-league team will be represented in the game, which will feature a pair of No. 1 draft choices as mound opponents.

Stephen Strasburg, the No. 1 overall choice by the Washington Nationals, will square off against Mike Minor, Atlanta’s No. 1 pick and the seventh overall selection in June’s amateur draft.

Scouting and minor-league directors of every major-league organization, in consultation with Arizona Fall League Director Steve Cobb and his baseball personnel staff, selected the players for the showcase.

MLB Network (Cox Channel 175) will provide a national broadcast the game, with the call being handled by Diamondbacks announcer Daron Sutton and former Diamondbacks star Tony Clark.

"The nation will have the opportunity to see a sampling of the array of talent that is on display in the Arizona Fall League six days a week for six weeks," Cobb said. "We are proud to showcase some of the top prospects in baseball to a national viewing audience for the first time in the Rising Stars Game on Saturday night."

The contest will pit standouts from the Arizona Fall League’s East and West divisions.

The East Division will field players from the Mesa Solar Sox (Angels, Cubs, Marlins, Red Sox, Twins); Phoenix Desert Dogs (Athletics, Blue Jays, Nationals, Orioles, Rays); and Scottsdale Scorpions (Giants, Diamondbacks, Phillies, Pirates, Rockies).

The West Division roster will be stocked from the Peoria Javelinas (Brewers, Dodgers, Mariners, Tigers, White Sox), Peoria Saguaros (Astros, Braves, Indians, Padres, Reds), and Surprise Rafters (Cardinals, Mets, Rangers, Royals, Yankees).

The Diamondbacks will be represented in the game by first baseman Brandon Allen, who hit four homers in 32 games with Arizona last season.

The coaching staffs of the two division-leading teams through play on Oct. 31 earned the right to skipper Saturday’s contest.

The East will consist of Phoenix Desert Dogs manager Gary Cathcart and his staff — R.C. Lichtenstein (Rays), Paul Menhart (Nationals), Brian McArn (Athletics) and Moe Hill (Orioles) — will manage the East Division club.

Peoria Javelinas manager Kevin Bradshaw (Tigers) and his staff — Fred Dabney (Brewers) and Gary Ward (White Sox), will guide the West Division.

Several major-league standouts have played in past games. Those players include Gordon Beckham of the Chicago White Sox, Ryan Braun of Milwaukee, Jacoby Ellsbury and Jed Lowrie of Boston, Yunel Escobar and Tommy Hanson of Atlanta; Phil Hughes of the New York Yankees; Kevin Kouzmanoff of San Diego; Daniel Murphy of the New York Mets; Hunter Pence of Houston; and Matt Wieters of Baltimore.

Following Saturday’s game, the six-team Arizona Fall League resumes play on Monday and continues with games Monday through Saturday until Nov. 19.

The league championship will be played at 12:35 p.m. on Nov. 21 in Scottsdale Stadium and will be televised by MLB Network.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Rising Stars Game

WHEN: 6:15 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: Surprise Stadium, 15734 N. Bullard Ave.

TICKETS: $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and children 17 and under

INFO: 602-681-9362