Adbert Alzolay among 3 Cubs named to Arizona Fall League ‘Fall Stars Game’

Major League Baseball’s 2017 season might be coming to an end this week, but there’s still baseball going on in Arizona, and the annual Fall Stars Game, featuring the best players in the Arizona Fall League, takes place this Saturday.

Adbert Alzolay, who is one of the Cubs’ best up-and-coming pitching prospects, was named Monday to play in this game as part of the East squad, along with righthander Jake Stinnett and infielder David Bote.

Alzolay has made five appearances covering 10 innings and has posted a 0.90 ERA (one earned run) and 0.60 WHIP (three hits, three walks) while striking out 11. The 22-year-old native of Venezuela split 2017 between Advanced-A Myrtle Beach (photo above) and Double-A Tennessee. He’s likely to start 2018 at Tennessee, with perhaps a promotion to Triple-A Iowa if he continues on his current path. Here’s a strikeout he recorded for Myrtle Beach last May:

Stinnett, who was the Cubs’ second-round draft pick in 2014, has appeared in four games covering 7⅓ innings, allowing two earned runs for a 2.45 ERA. He has a 1.23 WHIP and has struck out 10.

Bote, who played 2017 at Tennessee, is primarily a second baseman. He was an 18th-round pick in 2012, so he’s outclassed most guys selected that low. In the AFL he’s hitting .391/.462/.696 (18-for-46) with four home runs, 10 RBI and 11 runs scored. He’ll almost certainly get a non-roster invite to 2018 spring training if he’s not placed on the 40-man roster. He’s played in some spring games over the last couple of years. This is video of Bote homering last June:

The Fall Stars Game, which will be at Salt River Fields, the spring home of the Diamondbacks and Rockies, will be televised on MLB Network at 7 p.m. CT this Saturday, November 4. I’ll post a game thread for it an hour before game time.