The thirty third season of the Arizona Fall League is every week previous, and already, there are prime prospects standing out amid the sphere of, effectively, prime prospects.
Listed below are the highest performers from the primary week of AFL motion:
Esmerlyn Valdez, OF, Salt River (PIT No. 15)Stats: .286 AVG (2-for-7), 2 HR, 2 RBIs, 6 BBs, 8 TB, 1.758 OPS
The 21-year-old Valdez was one of many Pirates’ largest risers this season, rising as one in all Double-A Altoona’s prime hitters and ending with 26 homers and an .896 OPS between two ranges. He is Rule 5 eligible and will subsequently play himself onto the Pirates roster with an enormous Fall League, which already appears to be effectively underway. Valdez was one in all two gamers to homer twice throughout the first week of play, additionally drawing a whopping six walks in three video games.
Wuilfredo Antunez, OF, Shock (CLE unranked)Stats: .500 AVG (3-for-6), 3 R, 2 HR, 4 RBIs, BB, SB, 9 TB, 2.071 OPS
The 23-year-old Antunez signed all the way in which again in 2018-19 however has turned himself into probably the greatest offensive gamers in Cleveland’s system, and he is already making his presence felt in Arizona. Antunez was one in all two gamers (together with Valdez) to homer twice within the opening week, after pairing 18 homers with 16 steals and reaching Double-A throughout the common season.
Seaver King, SS, Scottsdale (WSH No. 7)Stats: .385 AVG (5-for-13), 5 R, 2B, HR, 6 RBIs, BB, SB, 9 TB, 1.159 OPS
King might have had the very best all-around week of any Fall League hitter, centered round a three-hit, 5 RBI efficiency on Oct. 8. King additionally scored 4 runs throughout that contest, homering and doubling out of the No. 2 gap between Joseph Sullivan and Kevin McGonigle in a scary Scorpions lineup. Consistency is the purpose this fall for King, the tenth total choose within the 2024 Draft, after he slumped upon reaching Double-A this summer time.
Jonny Farmelo, OF, Peoria (SEA No. 7/MLB No. 75)Stats: .250 AVG (3-for-12), 3B, 8 RBIs, 2 BB, 2 SB
Farmelo solely collected three hits over his first three video games, however he made them rely. His 8 RBIs have been simply essentially the most of any participant throughout the first week of play, buoyed by a five-RBI efficiency in opposition to Salt River on Friday. Farmelo lined a three-run double as a part of that contest, driving in extra runs on a single and a forceout. He additionally walked twice and stole two bases this week, displaying the all-around impression potential throughout the twenty ninth total choose from the 2023 Draft.
It was one thing of a misplaced yr for Lowder, the seventh total choose from the 2023 Draft, who was restricted to 9 2/3 innings this season as a result of a spate of continual accidents. However he is attempting to complete it on a excessive observe. To this point, so good. Lowder regarded nice in his Fall League debut, placing out three throughout two scoreless innings in what was a blowout win over Salt River. Lowder threw his first 13 pitches and 21 of his first 23 for strikes and struck out Charlie Condon on three pitches as a part of a dominant return to the mound.
The No. 5 total choose within the 2024 Draft and one of many prime left-handed pitching prospects within the Minors, Smith’s first professional season was interrupted by a sore elbow in Could, and he took six weeks off throughout the summer time to work on his mechanics. Therefore his inclusion within the Fall League, the place the White Sox hope he could make up for a few of that misplaced time. Smith received off to a quick begin in his debut, punching out 4 throughout three scoreless innings behind a fastball that touched 97 mph and a slider that confirmed severe chew. His progress — significantly his means to iron-out some management points — can be a storyline to look at this fall.
Luis de León, LHP, Peoria (BAL No. 21)Stats: 4 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 7 SO
The Baltimore southpaw tied for the league lead in strikeouts over Week 1, punching out seven throughout 4 stable innings in his Fall League debut. de Leon issued two walks however held Mesa to 1 hit and one unearned run in that outing. The 22-year-old is coming off a season the place he racked up 107 strikeouts over 87 2/3 innings and reached Double-A down the stretch.
