Two of the Red Sox' elite prospects are among the rising stars in the Arizona Fall League.
Shortstop Jose Iglesias and catcher Ryan Lavarnway have been selected to play in the Fifth Annual Rising Stars Game playing for the Western Division. Both Boston prospects are representing the Peoria Javelinas in the upcoming matchup.
Commonly referred to as the finishing school for Major League Baseball’s top prospects, the Arizona Fall League has produced over 1,800 major leaguers and 159 MLB All-Stars, including 45 in 2010.
The future impact of the Rising Stars Game can be measured by the number of former participants who are starring in the MLB today. Last year's roster alone produced 28 players who competed in the MLB in 2010. Several Red Sox stars including Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury and Jed Lowrie are just a few of the names that have honed their talents in the Arizona Fall League.
Lavarnway — who was named the Red Sox Minor League Co-Offensive Player of the Year — has appeared in 12 games for Peoria, batting .267 with one home run and seven RBIs. In nine games played, Iglesias has contributed four RBIs and four runs scored, all while batting .294. Both players spent the majority of the regular season with Double-A Portland.
The Rising Stars Game is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 6, at Surprise Stadium in Surprise, Ariz. The game will be televised live on MLB Network and online at MLB.com starting at 9 p.m. ET.
