Name it the mid-autumn basic.
The Arizona Fall League’s Fall Stars Sport arrives Saturday at Mesa’s Sloan Park at 8 p.m. ET/6 p.m. native, putting a number of the recreation’s finest prospects and the circuit’s finest performers on the identical area. The sport can be broadcast on MLB Community and streamed on MLB.com and the MLB app. Former Pirates pitcher Steven Brault, former Phillies normal supervisor Ruben Amaro Jr. and MLB Pipeline’s Jonathan Mayo can be on the decision.
The sport can be divided into American and Nationwide League sides as has been the case within the two most up-to-date Fall Stars matchups. Under are this 12 months’s Fall Stars members, grouped by father or mother membership:
Lazaro Estrada, RHP: The 25-year-old righty pitched his method by way of three ranges in 2024, ending with a 3.29 ERA and 113 strikeouts in 98 1/3 innings and ending the 12 months at Double-A New Hampshire. He’s tied for eighth within the Fall League with 19 Okay’s over 11 2/3 innings for Scottsdale and has proven a 90-93 mph fastball, 82-85 mph slider and mid-70s curveball — the latter of which is usually a high-spin hammer.
Adrian Pinto, 2B/OF: The Dominican Summer time League MVP in 2021, Pinto missed a lot of this season with a rib damage however has been an on-base machine for Scottsdale this autumn. Standing at 5-foot-6, he additionally has spectacular velocity that helps him at each second and in heart forward of his Rule 5 eligibility this offseason.
Peyton Williams, 1B: After delivered an OPS over 1.000 in back-to-back years at Iowa, Williams went within the seventh spherical of the 2022 Draft and was a Northwest League All-Star this previous season earlier than the followers put him on the AL AFL staff within the Remaining 2 Vote. The large first baseman has some severe energy from the left facet and has hit .294/.351/.515 over 16 video games this fall.
Creed Willems, C/1B (No. 22): The Orioles went over slot to signal Willems for $1 million within the eighth spherical of the 2021 Draft to maintain him from heading to Texas Christian. He’s began to faucet into his appreciable uncooked energy from the left facet of the plate, with 17 homers in every of his final two Minor League seasons and he sports activities a .902 AFL OPS heading into the Fall Stars Sport.
Tre’ Morgan, 1B/OF (No. 10): Morgan — a plus-plus defender on the chilly nook — has gotten seems on the grass, focusing completely on left area with the Photo voltaic Sox. The previous LSU star continues to indicate high-contact, high-average potential on the dish too, utilizing a large base and choked-up bat to guard the plate with two strikes.
Brooks Brannon, C (No. 27): A ninth-round choose as a North Carolina excessive schooler in 2022, when he led nationwide prepsters with 20 homers (tying his father Paul’s state file) and 91 RBIs, Brannon generates a number of the finest uncooked energy and highest exit velocities amongst Crimson Sox farmhands and likewise exhibits a plus arm behind the plate. He is batting .333/.375/.500 with two homers in 14 video games.
Max Ferguson, 2B: A part of the Eric Hosmer commerce with the Padres in August 2022, Ferguson stands out most together with his plus velocity (he stole 61 bases that season) and affected person method on the plate. He is hitting .246/.368/.361 with 13 walks by way of 17 video games.
Danny Kirwin, RHP: Kirwin signed in April after the impartial Oakland Ballers posted a video on social media that confirmed his fastball clocked at 98 mph, and the Rider product often operates at 92-96 mph whereas mixing in a mid-80s slider and a tougher cutter. He has logged a 3.38 ERA with a 14/1 Okay/BB ratio in 10 2/3 innings.
Carlos Lagrange, RHP (No. 20): Signed for simply $10,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2022, Lagrange can attain triple digits together with his fastball and flash some plus sliders within the mid-80s when at his finest. He has but to give up an earned run in 6 2/3 innings over 4 begins, although he has walked 12 vs. eight strikeouts.
Caleb Durbin, 3B: Acquired in a December 2022 deal that shipped Lucas Luetge to the Braves, Durbin is a flexible contact hitter who makes probably the most of his strong velocity. Final 12 months, he turned the primary AFL participant to steal 20 bases in 15 years with 21 swipes (three wanting the file) and he already has exceeded that complete with 22 in 23 makes an attempt and 20 video games this 12 months. He is batting .296/.416/.519 with 4 homers.
Garrett Martin, OF: Signed as a nondrafted free agent out of Austin Peay State in 2023, Martin is a nook outfielder who stands out most together with his right-handed energy. He is slashing .222/.329/.476 with 4 homers in 17 video games.
Allan Hernandez, RHP: A Twelfth-round choose as a Miami excessive schooler in 2019, Hernandez has developed into one of many hardest throwers within the system, parking at 96 mph and peaking at 99 mph together with his fastball whereas additionally dealing mid-80s sliders. He sports activities a 3.86 ERA with 9 strikeouts in 9 1/3 innings.
Jac Caglianone, 1B (KC No. 1/MLB No. 17): The 2024 sixth total choose could be forgiven for wanting drained within the AFL after a protracted spring at Florida and extra professional time with Excessive-A Quad Cities, however he’s really been catching hearth as the autumn season has wore on. His trademark plus-plus energy has led to a number of 110+ mph dwelling runs, and he must be thought of one of many favorites in Friday’s Residence Run Derby.
Carter Jensen, C (No. 5): Jensen headed to Shock after a breakout season wherein he slashed .259/.359/.450 with 18 homers and 17 steals in 125 video games between Excessive-A and Double-A, and regardless of the heavy workload for a catcher, he’s saved proper on trucking with the Saguaros. The 21-year-old backstop has labored on getting much less passive within the field to allow his energy to play higher, and his above-average arm energy helps restrict opposing operating video games.
Luinder Avila, RHP (No. 26): Avila posted a 4.14 ERA with 85 strikeouts in 87 innings (largely with Double-A Northwest Arkansas) and began for Omaha within the Triple-A Nationwide Championship Sport in Las Vegas, so pitching on a bigger stage isn’t international to him. The 23-year-old has touched 98.4 mph within the AFL and spun breaking balls within the 2,800-3,000 rpm vary.
Thayron Liranzo, C/1B (No. 6): Acquired from the Dodgers at this 12 months’s Commerce Deadline for Jack Flaherty, the 21-year-old switch-hitter made a powerful first impression with a .315/.470/.562 line, 5 homers and a 20/26 Okay/BB ratio in 26 Excessive-A video games after the commerce. Liranzo continues to be an offensive power within the AFL — one with good pop and a powerful eye — and his throwing skill from behind the dish has earned robust grades from scouts.
Josue Briceño, 1B (No. 9): Briceño caught the eye of Detroit’s Main League facet within the spring together with his measurement at 6-foot-4 and younger energy as a 19-year-old on the time, however a PCL sprain in his proper knee saved him from actually popping off in the summertime. That breakout has been absolutely realized within the AFL the place Briceño tops the circuit in hits (29), homers (eight), complete bases (59). He is additionally tied for the slugging lead (.797) with Niko Kavadas (Angels).
Jack Noble, RHP: Noble joined the Twins as a nondrafted free agent in 2022, and after working as a starter in 2023, spent the 2024 season within the Single-A Fort Myers bullpen, making stops with Excessive-A Cedar Rapids and Double-A Wichita. He struck out 10.7 per 9 for the 12 months and has used as many as six pitches to get outs as a professional.
Grant Taylor, RHP (No. 6): Taylor, who missed Louisiana State’s 2023 nationwide championship season following Tommy John surgical procedure and far of this 12 months with a lat pressure, contains a vigorous mid-90s fastball, sharp low-90s cutter and a good mid-80s slider. His stuff has appeared good however his command has been rusty, as evidenced by his 9.39 ERA and 13/7 Okay/BB ratio in 7 2/3 innings.
Niko Kavadas, 1B (No. 29): Initially a member of the Crimson Sox group, Kavadas got here to the Angels at this 12 months’s Commerce Deadline within the Luis García deal, and he made his large league debut in mid-August. He’s established his power-hitting bona fides by hitting 71 mixed homers over his three full seasons of professional ball and he’s saved it going this fall with six extra lengthy balls. He tops the AFL with a 1.297 OPS, and is tied for the SLG lead (.797) with Josue Briceño.
Samy Natera Jr., LHP: A Seventeenth-round choose in 2022 out of New Mexico State, Natera is a little bit of a late bloomer who missed many of the 2024 season with an elbow sprain. The 6-foot-4 lefty can get his fastball as much as the mid-90s and has used that and a strong breaking ball to pitch successfully this fall, with a 0.90 ERA (second within the AFL) and 13 Okay’s over 10 innings.
Alex Santos II, RHP: Houston’s best choice (supplemental second spherical) within the 2020 Draft as a New York Metropolis excessive schooler, Santos is inconsistent however can contact 96 mph together with his fastball and flash a plus curveball at his finest. He is tied for the Fall League strikeout lead with 20 in 14 2/3 innings whereas sporting a 3.68 ERA.
Denzel Clarke, OF (No. 10): A Fall Leaguer in 2022, Clarke is having extra success this time round, hitting .371/.500/.532 with seven steals over 16 video games. He has an fascinating power-speed mixture and is constant to work on refining his method to chop down on his swing-and-miss and chase.
Alejandro Osuna, OF (No. 16): The youthful brother of former All-Star nearer Roberto Osuna and the nephew of ex-big leaguer Antonio Osuna, Alejandro idolizes Alex Verdugo and has an analogous offensive profile as a elegant lefty hitter with strong uncooked energy. Signed for $125,000 out of Mexico in 2020, he tops the AFL in walks (20), is tied with Caleb Durbin (NYY) for the lead in runs (22) and has batted .333/.471/.506 by way of 21 video games.
Max Acosta, SS: Signed for $1.65 million out of Venezuela in 2019, Acosta is a strong hitter with hole energy and the arm energy for shortstop, although he matches higher at second base. He is hitting .305/.388/.492 with seven steals in 16 video games.
Marc Church, RHP: Church’s athleticism and arm velocity allow him to generate mid-90s fastballs with large carry and mid-80s sliders with two-plane depth when he is on. Signed for an over-slot $300,000 as an 18th-rounder from an Atlanta highschool in 2019, he has compiled a 4.76 ERA with 9 strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings.
Cody Freeman, 3B: The youthful brother of Guardians outfielder Tyler Freeman, Cody is a hit-over-power man with robust make-up and the flexibility to play all 4 infield spots in addition to catcher. He is slashing .308/.416/.508 with two homers in 18 video games.
Isaac Gallegos, RHP: In the event you like sliders, Gallegos is your man. He threw nicely sufficient beginning at New Mexico in 2023 to get signed as a nondrafted free agent. Whereas he amassed solely 27 innings this 12 months, he did attain Excessive-A, utilizing that slider closely to strike out 13.3 per 9. He’s continued to overlook bats this fall, with a 15.6 Okay/9 fee over six appearances.
Andrew Pintar, OF (No. 18): A part of the A.J. Puk cope with the Diamondbacks in July, Pintar is a middle fielder with plus velocity and common uncooked energy. He is batting .258/.349/.354 with two homers in 23 video games..
Jett Williams, SS/OF (NYM No. 2/MLB No. 52): Proper wrist surgical procedure saved Williams from enjoying for a lot of the summer season, although he did get a fast take a look at Triple-A Syracuse earlier than the season was out. The 5-foot-6 right-handed slugger can work a stroll with the perfect of the Fall League, exhibit above-average wheels (helpful for his time in heart area) and play a succesful shortstop when he’s on the filth.
Robert Hassell III, OF (No. 13): Third time is the appeal for Hassell, who didn’t crack the Fall Stars Sport in his first two makes an attempt within the league. The 23-year-old outfielder continued to cope with hand/wrist points this summer season however has appeared smoother with Salt River after a reset, hitting .286/.360/.545 with 11 extra-base hits in 17 video games.
Chase Solesky, RHP: A former White Sox prospect, Solesky signed with the Nationals out of the impartial Atlantic League this summer season and has managed a 20/1 Okay/BB ratio by way of 13 innings for Salt River. He has a deep repertoire with a fastball, cutter, slider, curveball and changeup.
Griff McGarry, RHP (No. 21): Since popping out of Virginia as a fifth-rounder in 2021, McGarry has proven off premium uncooked stuff with questionable command. He moved to the bullpen through the 2024 season and struck out 11.9 per 9, however walked 10.2. He nonetheless has each little bit of a plus fastball and cutter/slider, whiffing 11 in 8 2/3 AFL innings and posting a 3.12 ERA, although he’s additionally issued 9 walks.
Juan Baez, 2B (No. 27): The fourth-youngest participant within the Fall League at 19, Baez was restricted by a proper shoulder damage through the common season and couldn’t get again to the participant who batted .351 in his first stateside marketing campaign in 2023. He’s been a lot nearer to that type within the AFL by reaching base in all 19 of his video games for Peoria, throughout which he has a .324 common and .933 OPS because of strong hand-eye coordination on the dish.
Ryan Birchard, RHP: A Milwaukee junior-college discover, Birchard endured an indirect damage that restricted him to solely 21 1/3 innings in his first full season. He’s battled management points within the Fall League (16 walks in 12 innings) however has proven a 93-95 mph fastball, upper-80s cutter, low-80s slider and upper-70s curveball.
Thomas Saggese, 2B (No. 4): Saggese headed to the Fall League hoping to chop down on his chase-heavy methods after a season-ending stint within the Majors, and he’s succeeding because the AFL chief in OBP (.524) whereas standing third in common (.391). The 22-year-old has been enjoying solely second base for Glendale in an try and win St. Louis’ job on the keystone in 2025.
Moises Ballesteros, C (No. 4/MLB No. 44): Signed for $1.2 million out of Venezuela in 2021, Ballesteros has blossomed into top-of-the-line younger hitting prospects in baseball with excellent bat-to-ball abilities, growing energy and superior management of the strike zone, although his protection continues to be a piece in progress. He is hitting .309/.375/.574 with 5 homers by way of 16 video games.
Jonathon Lengthy, 3B (No. 30): A 2023 ninth-round choose from Lengthy Seaside State, Lengthy has a fast right-handed swing and strong uncooked energy. That pop has performed in Arizona, the place he is slashing .348/.443/.667 with six homers in 16 video games.
Derek Diamond, RHP: Diamond has thrown a ton of strikes for the reason that Pirates took him out of Mississippi within the sixth spherical of the 2022 Draft, strolling simply 2.1 per 9 since signing. It’s been extra of the identical this fall (1.6 BB/9), although he’s missed extra bats (9.8/9 vs. 7.6/9 within the Minors) whereas posting a 2.45 ERA figuring out of the bullpen.
Geovanny Planchart, C: Signed for simply $41,000 close to the tip of the 2018-19 worldwide signing interval, Planchart is named a strong defensive backstop who hasn’t hit a ton as a professional. The AFL has handled him nicely, as he carries a .345/.457/.586 line over 29 at-bats heading into the Fall Stars Sport.
Sammy Siani, OF: The No. 37 choose within the 2019 Draft, Siani had his first prolonged success in Excessive-A Greensboro to earn a promotion to Double-A this season. His new swing path that led to extra contact has continued working for him within the AFL, he is presently main the circuit with a .406 common and sixth in OPS (1.066).
Edwin Arroyo, SS (CIN No. 3/MLB No. 65): Arroyo missed all the 2024 common season after needing surgical procedure to restore a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder. Nonetheless simply 21, he’s shaking the rust off this fall and holding his personal on the plate whereas offering his traditional excellent protection at shortstop.
Jose Acuna, RHP: Acquired from the Mets on the Commerce Deadline in 2022, Acuna topped 100 innings with Excessive-A Dayton at age 20 in 2023. A flexor pressure this 12 months restricted him to only 39 IP, although he did throw nicely with Double-A Chattanooga and made 4 begins for Triple-A Louisville earlier than his twenty second birthday. He’s restricted harm this fall with a 2.77 ERA and 11.1 Okay/9 fee over 13 IP. He’s additionally walked 7.6/9, however he’s been a dependable strike-thrower previously with a four-pitch combine.
Luis Mey, RHP: Mey has virtually definitely earned a spot on the Reds’ 40-man roster together with his AFL efficiency. He’s lengthy opened eyes by lighting up the radar gun with a sinking fastball that routinely reaches triple digits and lacking bats with a cutter-like slider. However the strike zone has been elusive (7.1 BB/9 fee within the Minors) till this fall, when Mey hasn’t allowed a success and walked solely two over 7 2/3 IP and has collected probably the most saves (six) since Carlos Estévez in 2015.
Tommy Troy, 2B/SS (No. 5): The 2023 Twelfth total choose acquired off to an uneven begin in his first full season with Excessive-A Hillsboro and a left hamstring pressure was a giant cause why. After early struggles, he’s been extra relaxed within the field because the AFL has gone alongside, spraying line drives all around the park whereas wanting way more like his Stanford self.
Gino Groover, 3B/1B/2B (No. 9): The 2023 second-rounder suffered a damaged left wrist on a play at first base again in April, leading to three misplaced months of his first full season. He’s gotten again to his methods as a possible plus hitter, first at Double-A Amarillo after which within the Arizona Fall League, although energy stays a query (just one extra-base hit in 15 video games).
Zyhir Hope, OF (No. 11): Top-of-the-line all-around athletes within the AFL, Hope combines plus uncooked energy, double-plus velocity and well-above-average arm energy. Acquired from the Cubs in a commerce for Michael Busch and Yency Almonte in January, he is batting .260/.345/.452 with three homers in 19 video games — together with the longest measured blast (470 ft) of the AFL season.
Eriq Swan, RHP: A high-upside mission, Swan is big (6-foot-6, 240 kilos), can attain 101 mph together with his fastball and flashes a good mid-80s slider. The 2023 supplemental fourth-rounder from Center Tennessee State has battled his management previously however has posted a 14/1 Okay/BB ratio with a 5.19 ERA in 8 2/3 innings.
Cale Lansville, RHP: A 14th-rounder from San Jacinto (Texas) JC in 2023, Lansville options an upper-80s cutter as his finest pitch and units it up with a 92-95 mph fastball. He has recorded a 2.92 ERA with 16 strikeouts in 12 1/3 innings.
Ethan Salas, C (SD No. 1/MLB No. 19): Many eyes have been going to be on Salas after he hit simply .206 with a .599 OPS in 111 video games at Excessive-A Fort Wayne in his second skilled season. The AFL’s second-youngest participant has lived as much as his pre-2024 hype with Peoria, displaying extra constant thump from the left facet whereas nonetheless exhibiting superior defensive work as a catcher.
Leodalis De Vries, SS (No. 2/MLB No. 28): He is the youngest participant within the Fall League, having simply signed in January, and the youngest previously decade. He greater than held his personal at age 17 within the Single-A California League and whereas his numbers for Peoria do not stand out, he hasn’t appeared misplaced because the Padres’ future shortstop.
Romeo Sanabria, 1B (No. 23): Proprietor of a .301 profession common within the Minors, the 2022 18th-rounder has pressured his method into the Padres’ High 30 by hitting in all places he’s gone, together with three ranges in 2024. That work has continued with Peoria, however contemplating Sanabria is locked into first base, he may stand to indicate extra energy getting into his age-23 season in 2025.
Evan Justice, LHP: Accidents have derailed Justice since being drafted in 2021, lacking all of 2022 with a shoulder pressure. He made his large league debut in August 2023, however spent a whole lot of this season on the injured checklist, tossing simply 25 complete innings. The lefty has been lights-out this fall, pitching 7 2/3 hitless reduction innings, strolling only one and hanging out 10.
Skyler Messinger, 1B: After 4 years at Kansas, Messinger used his additional COVID eligibility to play at Texas, touchdown in Spherical 19 of the 2022 Draft. He hit 18 homers in 2023, however then wanted Tommy John surgical procedure so he performed in simply 53 video games this 12 months. He’s hit .293 with 11 RBIs in 17 video games this fall.
