Buxton, Kepler headed to Arizona Fall League

Cedar Rapids Kernels outfielder-first baseman Max Kepler and former outfielder Byron Boxton have been selected to play in the prestigious Arizona Fall League, it was announced Tuesday.

The Fall League annually features the top older minor-league prospects in baseball, so the inclusion of Buxton, 19, and Kepler, 20, might be considered a tad surprising. The league begins October 8 and runs through November 16.

Buxton and Kepler will play for the Glendale Desert Dogs, one of six teams.

Buxton is widely regarded the top prospect in the game. Before being promoted to high-Class A Fort Myers, he hit .341 in 68 games this season for the Kernels, with 15 doubles, 10 triples, eight home runs, 55 RBIs and 32 stolen bases.

For Fort Myers, he is hitting .328 in 49 games, with four doubles, eight triples, four homers, 20 RBIs and 20 steals.

"I think we felt like he's shown he's ready from a skill perspective," Twins farm director Brad Steil told MLB.com. "As mature as he is, I think he can go out there and handle being in that type of environment. We wanted him to get the opportunity to face a little bit better pitching before the end of the season, so I think it was a good fit."

Kepler's inclusion in the AFL likely has to do with trying to make up for lost development time this season. He injured an elbow in spring training and didn't join the Kernels until midseason.

He is hitting .241 in 58 games, with 11 doubles, three triples, eight homers and 37 RBIs.