AFL's Rising Stars set to shine tonight

League's top prospects will face off on MLB.com, Network

Jonathan Mayo / MLB.com

On any given day in the Arizona Fall League, you can see what amounts to a Minor League All-Star Game.

The Rising Stars Showcase takes it to another level, truly representing the best of the best. The showcase game, which will take place on Saturday at 6:15 p.m. MT/8:15 ET, features current AFL participants selected by scouting and Minor League directors from every organization, along with input from AFL executive director Steve Cobb. The 50 players chosen to represent their organizations and AFL clubs will come together Saturday night at Surprise Stadium.

For the first time, the Showcase will also be available to a national television audience. MLB Network will carry a live broadcast of the Rising Stars Game with Diamondbacks announcer Daron Sutton and MLB Network's Tony Clark in the broadcast booth with a free live simulcast streamed on MLB.com.

The Rising Stars Showcase matches prospects from each Major League Baseball organization in an East Division against West Division format. Teams from the AFL's East Division feature prospects from the Angels, Athletics, Blue Jays, Cubs, Diamondbacks, Giants, Marlins, Nationals, Orioles, Phillies, Pirates, Rays, Red Sox, Rockies and Twins. Players on the West squad will come from the Astros, Braves, Brewers, Cardinals, Dodgers, Indians, Mariners, Mets, Padres, Rangers, Reds, Royals, Tigers, White Sox and Yankees. All 30 organizations will be represented in the game.

"It's a great opportunity and should be a lot of fun," said A's prospect and Phoenix Desert Dogs outfielder Grant Desme, who leads the AFL in home runs and is tied for the lead in RBIs. "I'll get a chance to play with a bunch of talented guys."

The game was initially set up to feature a marquee pitching matchup of 2009 first-round Draft picks, with No. 1 overall pick Stephen Strasburg going for East and No.