The Arizona Fall League is upon us, and on this circuit of elite prospects, there’s something to observe for each evening.
This is what’s on the docket this weekend within the AFL.
9:30 p.m. ET — Scottsdale (DET, NYM, PIT, SFG, TOR) @ Glendale (CIN, CWS, LAD, PHI, STL)Friday’s opener is the uncommon AFL sport with true MLB postseason implications. Enjoying amongst the notable prospects shall be Mets infielder Jeff McNeil, who’s ramping up with the hope of returning to New York’s roster for Sport 1 of the Nationwide League Championship Collection on Sunday. The plan is for McNeil, who has been sidelined by a fractured proper wrist since early September, to get not less than 4 plate appearances and play not less than seven innings for Scottsdale on each Friday and Saturday evening.
Glendale will even have a Main League infielder on its roster in Reds infielder Matt McLain. Gameday »
9:30 p.m. ET — Mesa (BOS, CHC, LAA, OAK, TB) @ Peoria (ATL, MIA, MIL, SD, SEA)This sport options 5 of the AFL’s seven highest-ranked prospects, together with the second- and third-highest ranked within the league in Peoria catcher Ethan Salas (Padres, MLB No. 19) and shortstop Colt Emerson (Mariners, MLB No. 27).
The Javelinas’ lineup additionally consists of three extra of baseball’s prime 50 prospects: Padres shortstop Leo De Vries (MLB No. 28), and Mariners infielder Cole Younger (MLB No. 38), whereas Mesa has first baseman Xavier Isaac (Rays, MLB No. 36).
At 17 years outdated, De Vries is the youngest participant within the Fall League. In the meantime, Emerson has racked up a league-best eight hits, six doubles and 5 RBIs in his first two video games. Gameday »
3:30 p.m. ET — Peoria (ATL, MIA, MIL, SD, SEA) @ Mesa (BOS, CHC, LAA, OAK, TB)Peoria’s roster additionally options pop in Marlins No. 12 prospect Kemp Alderman, who has a league-leading 4 homers by three video games. Mesa’s roster, in the meantime, is headlined by Isaac and Cubs catcher Moises Ballesteros, (MLB No. 44). Gameday »
6:30 p.m. ET — Glendale (CIN, CWS, LAD, PHI, STL) @ Scottsdale (DET, NYM, PIT, SFG, TOR)High Phillies prospect Andrew Painter (MLB No. 32) hasn’t pitched in a sport since Spring Coaching 2023 and underwent Tommy John Surgical procedure in July of that 12 months. That can change on Saturday, when he’s set to throw two innings in opposition to a Scottsdale lineup that ought to embrace McNeil. The Phillies are hoping the 21-year-old Painter can compile 20 innings within the AFL, after he fared effectively in his rehab from elbow surgical procedure over the previous year-plus.
All instructed, it has been nearly two full years since Painter, the Phillies’ first-round decide (No. 13 general) in 2021 pitched frequently. At the moment, he was 19 and ending up a sensational first full season in professional ball that noticed him pitch to a 1.56 ERA and compile 155 strikeouts in 103 2/3 innings throughout three ranges, ending at Double-A Studying. Gameday »
9:30 p.m. ET — Shock (BAL, CLE, HOU, KC, TEX) @ Salt River (ARI, COL, MIN, NYY, WSH)Shock’s roster is headlined by the top-ranked prospect within the AFL this 12 months: Royals first baseman Jac Caglianone. The sixth general decide on this 12 months’s Draft, Caglianone (MLB No. 17) will match up in opposition to Yankees No. 20 prospect, Carlos Lagrange, a 21-year-old, 6-foot-7 right-hander who has solely pitched 5 video games above rookie ball. Lagrange missed a lot of the 2024 season with again points however can attain triple digits along with his fastball and flashes plus sliders within the mid-80s when at his greatest. He led the Rookie-level Florida Complicated League with 63 strikeouts in 41 2/3 innings throughout his U.S. debut in 2023. Gameday »
4:30 p.m. ET — Mesa (BOS, CHC, LAA, OAK, TB) @ Shock (BAL, CLE, HOU, KC, TEX)Should you take pleasure in power-hitting first baseman than this 12 months’s AFL circuit is for you. MLB’s three top-ranked first base prospects are in Arizona rearing to go. This sport options the highest two in Caglianone and Isaac, who’ve 70-grade and 65-grade energy instruments, respectively. Caglianone is already raking after notching 4 hits for Shock on Thursday.
