News

Date: Jan 18, 2012

AWL Announces MLB Scout Day!

(Yuma, AZ. January 12^th, 2012) The Arizona Winter League, the premiere instructional winter league, announced today that it will be holding a Major League scout day on Tuesday, February 21^st. Representatives from the Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, and Tampa Bay Rays have already been named as instructors for the month long Arizona Winter League season, and area scouts from all 30 MLB teams have been invited to attend the scout day, with many already confirming attendance. Additionally, all 10 AWL managers have the power to sign players for their respective clubs, ensuring that a high number of players will leave Yuma at the conclusion of the Arizona Winter League with contracts in hand. Last year, over 70 players received offers to play professionally during the 2011 season, and this year with more exposure and the addition of a MLB scout day, that number is expected to grow, which could mean over half of the AWL players receiving professional contracts to play in 2012. These players will look to follow in the footsteps of  Sergio Romo (RHP, San Francisco Giants) and Scott Richmond (RHP, Toronto Blue Jays), who have already carved out successful Major League careers for themselves after wowing scouts at the 2007 Arizona Winter League. Dozens of other players have received offers to play for MLB-affiliated minor league teams since the AWL’s inception.

The AWL Scout Day will give players the chance to demonstrate all of their skills in an environment similar to that of an MLB Scouting Bureau tryout camp. From 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, players will be timed as they run a 60-yard dash, catchers will have their pop times recorded, and infielders and outfielders will be run through defensive drills. Simulated games will begin at 11:00 AM on two fields as hitters are split into groups and face live pitching and defenses. Lunch will be served at 1:00 PM and scouts will be available to talk with players about advancing their professional careers. Games will resume at 2:00 PM to ensure that all pitchers have a chance to face live hitters in game situations before the day is over. Scouts will be given evaluations of 60 yard dash times, pop times, and pitchers’ velocities to ensure that no player is overlooked. MLB scouts will have the ability to offer contracts on the spot.

There are still spots available for the 2012 Arizona Winter League, but we are quickly filling up and are closing in our player limit. Don’t miss the opportunity to play in front of MLB scouts and earn a professional contract for 2012!

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