Details on how Nationals' AFL roster will break down

The Nationals' selections for participation in the Arizona Fall League will be decided in about one week, according to a club source. The Nationals will partially stock the Salt River Rafters, alongside the Rockies, Blue Jays, Diamondbacks and White Sox. AFL play begins Oct. 9. As reported last week, with the new guidelines for roster allocation in place this season, each team can send two low Single-A players, two high Single-A players and three players from Double-A and up. No details on who those players have been released, but how the roster is formulated breaks down like this: The rosters are stocked by each team presenting a list of players from their system they would like to play in the AFL. The list begins with one priority position player requested by each team, and then two other position players. The Nationals also send a list of four pitchers: one starter and three relievers. Adjustments would be made after the priority player has been added so the rest of the Rafters' roster is filled out by positional need. In my opinion, it would make sense if the Nationals selected third baseman Anthony Rendon as their priority player, and then work from there. Jason Martinson, Matt Skole and Ricky Hague could also get the call. But with Rendon selected as a third baseman, that might block Skole from getting the invitation this time. Other possibilities include Alex Meyer as the starting pitcher, although he admitted to me last week he thought his innings were getting up there. Meyer currently stands at 123 innings pitched. Elsewhere, catcher Jhonaton Solano continues the rehab assignment tonight with Double-A Harrisburg, and will bat fifth. Solano has been on the disabled list with a left oblique strain since July 18 and previously played rehab games this month with the Gulf Coast League Nationals.