Nationals AFL Preview

It's that time of year again, as the Arizona Fall League is just around the corner. The minor league season is winding down and the Nationals have prepared their list of AFL participants. CapitolDugout.com examines which players are headed to Arizona and how it might affect their careers.

Brett Campbell - Campbell has done nothing but succeed working out of the bullpen since joining the Nationals' farm system. And, this trip to the Arizona Fall League may serve as his finishing school and get him ready to join the Nationals' bullpen in 2007. The Atlanta native began the season with Potomac, but has shot up the ladder all the way to Triple-A New Orleans, where he has settled in and pitch very well of late. If he continues to strike out more than a hitter per inning and give up less than a hit per inning, he should be able to handle himself well in the hitter friendly AFL.

Roy Corcoran - Although he was roughed up in his six big league appearances in 2006, the Nationals still view Corcoran as an important part of the future of their bullpen. The 26-year-old righty has shown he has good enough stuff but needs to work on his command. If his command is off, it will show up right away in the Arizona Fall League, a notoriously offensive-minded league. This could also be a make or break situation for Corcoran's career with Washington.

Devin Perrin - Following his move to the bullpen in 2005, Devin Perrin not only picked up more velocity on his fastball but a lot more success along the way. He has had his ups and downs with Harrisburg in 2006, but the former 7th round pick still has an abundance of upside to offer to the organization. He has walked 42 in 55 1/3 innings in Double-A and that will undoubtedly have to come down if he is to succeed at the next level. But, at 6-foot-7 with a live fastball, the Nationals are going to remain patient.

Larry Broadway - Scheduled to play for Peoria Saguaros with the rest of the Nationals' farmhands, Broadway is likely going to be scratched from his AFL stint. He recently suffered a partially dislocated shoulder and will have to rehab the joint all off-season. The Nationals' are confident that he'll be ready for spring training in 2007.

Seth Bynum - Bynum recently was placed on the disabled list with a broken hand, but he is expected to be ready to go for AFL. Before going down, he was struggling with the bat, hitting just .232 for the season but he has played a solid shortstop and is viewed as valuable role player down the road.

Kory Casto - Entering the AFL as one of the league's most highly touted prospects, the Nationals' hope is that this could be the final stepping stone for Casto. He's had a monster season in Double-A, and a strong showing in the Fall League could put the lefty slugger on track for the big leagues sometime in 2007.