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By ZURIEL LOVING
Cronkite News

SCOTTSDALE — While the Arizona Fall League is often thought of as a “one-and-done” league for baseball’s top prospects on the verge of making it to the next level, some return for a second tour of duty.

Some players are sent back by their Major League organizations following injuries, some who are working to adjust to new teams after trades and some whose parent clubs just want them to get some extra seasoning.

Tampa Bay Rays prospect Daniel Robertson went through both trade and injury in the last year. He was part of a five-player trade in January that sent Ben Zobrist from Tampa Bay to Oakland and the 21-year-old Robertson to Florida. Robertson, the Rays’ No. 5 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, then broke his wrist during an at bat for the Montgomery Biscuits while playing in the Southern League.

He used his time in the Fall League to work on his consistency and get back to where he was before the injury.

“I’m trying to take my game to that next level,” Robertson said. “Just seeing the amount of guys that made it to the big leagues last year – Addison Russell, Dalton Pompey, guys like that. It was fun to play against them here but it will be more fun to play against them in the big leagues.”

Mariners’ No. 3 prospect D.J. Peterson, an Arizona native, agreed.

“I think last year I stressed too much,” Peterson said. “This year I’m just trying to have fun, enjoy the guys and just enjoy playing baseball.”

Originally a shortstop, he split time between first and third during the Fall League season. However, the Mariners’ 23-year-old 2013 first-round pick believes his versatility goes beyond the corners.

“I don’t prefer either one,” Peterson said. “Wherever the Mariners want to play me, I’m going to play. If they told me they me to catch, I’d catch.”

The Minnesota Twins’ No. 13 prospect Taylor Rogers returned to the Fall League after a line drive to the wrist during the 2014 AFL season. Only pitching 5.2 innings during his previous outing in the league, he was excited to get back to Arizona.

“I feel a lot more comfortable and very lucky to do it a second time,” Rogers said. “It’s nice to get a second chance at it.”

He stumbled early on, producing a 5.63 ERA over his first two starts. However, he got into a groove and shut out his opponents in his next two starts. With his slider and fastball looking sharp, he wanted to use his time in the Fall League to focus on his point of weakness: his changeup.

“I think it’s gotten a lot better,” Rogers said. “I’ve been using it in the appropriate situations where it’s more effective.”

The 24-year-old right-hander used his variety of pitches to help propel his team to the Arizona Fall League championship. In three scoreless innings pitched, Rogers struck out two and gave up two hits en route to the Scottsdale Scorpions’ 6-4 victory over the Surprise Saguaros on Saturday.

“It feels pretty good,” Rogers said of his arm. “I’m definitely going to take some time off though, it’s in need of a break.”

With some prospects beginning their season in February and playing until a few days before Thanksgiving, it has been a long year. After a much-needed break, they will be ready to get back to baseball in the spring with hopes of their hard work translating into a Major League debut.

“We don’t know when that time will come, but it will be special when does,” Robertson said.