Kevin McGonigle left little question that he was one of the best prospect within the Arizona Fall League this season. Ranked second on MLB Pipeline’s Prime 100 Prospects listing, the Tigers infielder burnished his status as one of the best pure hitter within the Minor Leagues en path to successful Most Precious Participant honors.
The developmental circuit featured fewer Prime 100 prospects than standard, with simply eight qualifying for our annual rating of Fall League high expertise. Three extra did not play sufficient to make it. Dodgers outfielder Josue De Paula (MLB No. 13) arrived with a hamstring damage and by no means took the sphere, Rangers shortstop Sebastian Walcott (MLB No. 6) was shut down after one recreation with shoulder fatigue and Reds right-hander Rhett Lowder (MLB No. 80) labored simply 9 innings after lacking a lot of the common season with forearm and indirect strains.
The AFL nonetheless witnessed loads of future massive leaguers, nonetheless. The standard of the pitching prospects was higher than it has been beforehand within the 2020s, although the league nonetheless was far more hospitable to hitters and groups averaged 6.13 runs per recreation.
As at all times, we base our rankings extra on long-term worth than Fall League efficiency, although each have been thought-about. We solicited opinions from scouts available to guage the gamers.
McGonigle drew comparisons to Chase Utley, his favourite participant whereas rising up in Philadelphia’s suburbs, and a lefty-hitting Alex Bregman. He batted .362/.500/.710 whereas main the league in extra-base hits (12) and complete bases (49), rating second in homers (5) and runs (22) and third in slugging and OPS (1.210). He repeatedly takes high quality at-bats and barrels balls, projecting as a 25/25 man who could match finest at second base and may do the little issues to assist win video games as properly.
Montgomery matches the traditional right-field profile with plus energy and double-plus arm energy, and the switch-hitter has had extra success in opposition to left-handers in professional ball than he did in faculty. He displayed a affected person strategy whereas batting .366/.527/.634 with eight extra-base hits and 13 walks in 12 video games.
The third-youngest participant within the league at 19 years and 9 months, Duno hit simply .213/.356/.298 with nary a homer in 15 regular-season video games earlier than going deep 4 instances in three playoff contests — together with thrice within the semifinals with photographs of 453 and 456 toes. His right-handed energy is immense, and he has the receiving abilities and arm energy to be an asset behind the plate. He additionally obtained kudos for his work with the Javelinas pitching workers.
Hand and wrist accidents hampered Condon after the Rockies chosen him No. 3 total in 2024, however he was wholesome within the AFL and led the league with 28 hits whereas slashing .337/.439/.434 and successful the Dernell Stenson Sportsmanship Award. The hitting capacity is actual, although he isn’t driving the ball for energy in addition to he did when he topped NCAA Division I in homers (37) and slugging (1.009) in his Draft 12 months.
The No. 5 total decide in 2024 after setting an NCAA Division I report for strikeout price (17.3 per 9 innings), Smith’s stuff ticked down barely whereas he battled his mechanics and management throughout his first full professional season. He seemed extra like his finest self in Arizona, pushing his mid-90s fastball to 98 mph and wiping out hitters with an 81-85 mph slider. He logged a 2.57 ERA whereas hanging out 21 in 14 innings and inserting second in groundout/airout ratio (2.5) and third in Ok price (15.5 per 9) and average-against (.143).
Farmelo featured one of the best mixture of energy and velocity within the AFL, which translated right into a league-best three triples whereas he batted .234/.406/.442 with 12 steals, 20 walks (second within the league) and 20 in 23 video games. His 28 strikeouts (additionally second on the circuit) and 40 % swing-and-miss price are worrisome, however he is barely 21, does harm when he makes contact and performs a strong middle discipline.
Mitchell hit simply .230/.434/.311 however ranked second with 20 walks and got here up massive within the playoffs because the Saguaros gained their third championship in 4 years. His numbers belie his plus energy to all fields and he is an athletic defender with a powerful arm.
The most effective infield defender within the Fall League and the primary non-Prime 100 prospect on this listing, Caba is a future Gold Glove shortstop who held his personal on the plate because the fourth-youngest participant (19 years, 10 months). The switch-hitter slashed .297/.409/.419, flashed plus velocity and surprisingly hit two homers after going deep simply thrice in 168 Minor League video games.
After homering 48 instances in his first two years of full-season ball, Valdez led the AFL with eight dingers (all in his first 9 video games) in addition to in slugging and RBIs (27) whereas batting .368/.513/.842 and incomes Offensive Participant of the 12 months accolades. He displayed reliable plus energy, managed the strike zone higher than he did in A ball and performed satisfactory proper discipline.
King can perform a little little bit of all the pieces, making common contact whereas displaying 15-homer energy and the athleticism and arm energy to play all around the diamond. He hit .359/.468/.563 with six steals in 18 video games, although he might get extra out of his superior bat-to-ball abilities if he toned down his aggressive strategy. Scouts do not see him as greater than a median shortstop and surprise how lengthy the Nationals will hold him there.
11. Anderson Brito, RHP, Scottsdale (HOU No. 7)
Brito featured simply one of the best stuff amongst Fall League right-handers, averaging 98 mph and touching 100 along with his driving fastball and backing it up with excessive spin charges on a mid-80s curveball and upper-80s sweeper. He completed third within the league with 22 strikeouts in simply 11 innings whereas fashioning a 3.97 ERA and an total 43 % swing-and-miss price.
AFL hitters struggled to place De León’s mid-80s slider in play or make high quality contact in opposition to his mid-90s sinker, enabling him to put up a 2.76 ERA with 22 strikeouts and a league-best 2.6 groundout/airout ratio in 16 innings. His management can get spotty at instances, however an efficient upper-80s changeup with fade provides to the hope he can succeed as a starter.
Some scouts consider Janek is one of the best defensive catcher within the Minors and he was one of the best within the Fall League, projecting as a strong receiver (regardless of 5 handed balls in 13 video games) with well-above-average arm energy. He additionally comes with 20-homer energy, although he tried to do an excessive amount of on the plate and slashed .241/.288/.481.
Collier’s bat took him to Double-A at age 20 and his AFL line (.221/.368/.325) is not as spectacular as his offensive upside, which incorporates 30-homer potential and a knack for drawing walks. He is a restricted athlete and defender who seemingly will probably be relegated to first base regardless of a powerful arm.
Anderson posted one of the best numbers of any hitter, topping the Fall League in batting (.447), on-base share (.609), OPS (1.418) and stroll price (26 %) whereas ending second in slugging (.809). He controls the strike zone and repeatedly barrels balls to all fields, although his place is in query as a result of he would not have typical second-base quickness or third-base arm energy.
The Brewers have a knack for nabbing promising excessive schoolers within the backside half of the Draft, together with Adamczewski, a Fifteenth-rounder in 2023, and Luke Adams (see under), a Twelfth-rounder a 12 months earlier. Adamczewski is younger (20), was one of many AFL’s most well-rounded hitters (.277/.415/.538 with a great strategy on the plate) and seemed snug in left discipline after spending most of his professional profession at second base.
Like Adamczewski, Adams confirmed the flexibility to hit for energy and common whereas managing the strike zone, batting .333/.471/.569. He would not have fairly as a lot athleticism or defensive worth as his fellow Brewers farmhand, however he is an aggressive baserunner and performs a nifty first base.
A legendary faculty slugger, White had a two-homer recreation at midseason however went deep just one different time. He did make the most of a disciplined, contact-oriented strategy whereas hitting .292/.395/.444 with one of the best strikeout price (9 %) within the Fall League. He is a greater third baseman than he will get credit score for however nonetheless could also be destined for first base.
Regardless of coping with a leg damage and being one of many youthful gamers within the league, Nori displayed the instruments that made him a first-round decide in 2024. He slashed .308/.386/.436, made common line-drive contact and confirmed off well-above-average velocity that enabled him to circle the bases in 14.76 seconds on an inside-the-park homer and chase down balls in middle discipline.
20. Luis Perales, RHP, Salt River (BOS No. 9)
Perales’ management and command nonetheless aren’t sharp as he continues his comeback from Tommy John surgical procedure in 2024, which is why he had a ten.32 ERA and 11 walks in 11 1/3 innings. There was nothing incorrect along with his pure stuff — a fastball that averaged 99 mph and reached 101, a low-90s cutter, a mid-80s changeup — and he struck out 32 % of the batters he confronted. His upper-80s slider lagged behind his different choices.
Antonacci’s bat is his solely better-than-average device and he would not have a lot pop, however he stacks up high quality at-bats and hits good pitching whereas exhibiting a excessive baseball IQ. He topped the league in runs (24) and hits (28) whereas batting .378/.505/.541 with 11 steals in 19 video games.
The MVP of the Fall Stars Sport and the one participant not on a corporation Prime 30 to make this listing, Rodriguez hit .433/.514/.650 to complete second within the AFL in batting and third in on-base share. He has a strong all-around package deal of instruments, standing out most along with his plus uncooked energy.
23. Daniel Vazquez, SS/3B, Shock (KC No. 16)
Vazquez is a top quality defender at shortstop who continues to make sluggish however regular progress on the plate. He is not an influence man however is aware of his limitations, specializing in getting on base to make use of his strong velocity. He slashed .329/.459/.468 with 11 steals in 22 video games.
The unheralded Suero signed for $10,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2022 and is a uncommon catcher who can flash plus velocity and play the outfield corners in addition to first base. He has an fascinating array of offensive abilities for a backstop and batted .283/.353/.567 with 5 homers (second within the AFL) and eight steals in 15 video games.
Milbrandt paced the AFL in strikeout price (15.5 per 9 innings) and positioned second in strikeouts (23 in 13 1/3 innings) whereas compiling a 4.73 ERA and high-end charges of chases (39 %) and swings-and-misses (48 %). He operated primarily with a mid-90s fastball that peaked at 99 mph with massive carry and armside run, and an upper-80s cutter.
Morabito makes use of his plus-plus velocity to make issues occur on the bases (third within the AFL with 16 steals and 17 video games) and supply high quality protection in middle discipline. He did a greater job of tightening his strike zone than he did at Double-A, hitting .362/.450/.464 and offering optimism that he could be a catalyst atop a batting order.
27. Enrique Bradfield Jr., OF, Peoria (BAL No. 4)
Bradfield Jr. was each the league’s quickest runner, repeatedly posting elite time dash speeds and swiping 17 bases (second within the AFL) in 18 tries, and its finest middle fielder, incomes Defensive Participant of the 12 months honors. However evaluators did not like his open stance with a flat bat path and questioned about how a lot offensive impression he’ll make after he slashed .221/.341/.312.
Bennett pounded the zone with a 92-95 mph sinker to arrange his finest providing, a plus mid-80s changeup with vital fade. That formulation allowed him to steer the Fall League in strikeouts (25) whereas rating second in innings (20) and third in stroll price (2.3 per 9 innings) and Ok/BB ratio (5.0). He posted a 4.50 ERA and will grow to be a No. 4 starter.
Thomas profiles as a top quality hitter with sneaky energy, strong velocity and the flexibility to play all three outfield positions. He batted .303/.343/.524 with eight steals in as many tries, although his 28/3 Ok/BB ratio was surprisingly poor.
Flores was each the AFL’s second-youngest participant (19 years, eight months) and one in every of its higher defenders behind the plate, displaying superior receiving capacity and a powerful arm. Whether or not he offers sufficient offense to grow to be a giant league common stays to be seen, and he hit .273/.341/.424.
Honorable point out: Joshua Kuroda-Grauer, SS/OF, Mesa (ATH No. 10); Parks Harber, 1B, Scottsdale (SF No. 21); Brayden Taylor, 3B/2B, Mesa (TB No. 25); David Hagaman, RHP, Salt River (AZ No. 15); Aidan Smith, OF, Mesa (TB No. 6).
