The Arizona Fall League begins tonight and (with Sean Dolinar’s assist) I’ve assembled the scouting studies for prospects on Fall League rosters in a single place over on The Board. As gamers are recognized as Board-worthy prospects all through the autumn, or if gamers who’re already on The Board have their scouting studies up to date, there will probably be an indicator within the “Pattern” column denoting change, so examine again often for updates. You’ll wish to reference that desk a bit as I briefly preview the AFL under. Some Fall League video games will probably be streamed on the MLB.TV app and on-line; you may see a schedule for that right here. Listed here are a couple of key issues I’ll be targeted on throughout the subsequent six weeks, issues readers needs to be anticipating.
The Potential Stars
This one’s pretty self-explanatory. The Fall League is fairly persistently loaded with glorious prospects, normally hitters. There are a few dozen slam-dunk Prime 100 prospects on this yr’s league, and plenty of extra gamers who over the following a number of weeks will make an argument to be included. Peoria and Shock have the 2 strongest collections of place participant prospects this yr, whereas Salt River’s pitching employees (led by the Tigers and Braves arms) is a minimize above the remaining at first look, although remember that prospect-y hype doesn’t at all times equal success on this league from a crew win-loss standpoint.
The “Keep Sizzling” Membership
Lately, some playoff groups have used the Fall League as a spot for rehabbers and potential damage replacements to choose up reps in a aggressive surroundings simply in case they’re wanted on the large league degree throughout the playoffs. Then-Cub Kyle Schwarber is probably the most distinguished latest instance, with Jordan Hicks and Nate Pearson being two others. Whereas the handfuls of retirees who make up most of any given Fall League crowd don’t precisely replicate a postseason enjoying surroundings, it’s a friendlier on-ramp to that sort of ambiance than dwell BP on a backfield. Blue Jays lefty Ricky Tiedemann is probably the most notable 2023 prospect to whom this may increasingly apply. Braves pitchers Dylan Dodd and Darius Vines each logged large league innings this yr and are in Arizona. Rangers 40-man righty Zak Kent, who was harm for many of the first half and made 10 Triple-A begins towards the tip of the season, will swimsuit up for Shock. Contemplating they’ve already given themselves an opportunity to catch lightning in a bottle with Junior Caminero, it’s even doable Rays shortstop prospect Carson Williams, who may play an enormous league-quality shortstop proper now, is perhaps wanted if a rash of accidents happens forward of him within the org.
On the Fringe
I’ll be cross-referencing the RosterResource pages with the Fall League rosters all through the play interval to see if anybody is clearly coming into or exiting their crew’s 40-man roster bubble. Sure prospects, corresponding to Tigers righty Wilmer Flores, are digital locks to be placed on the 40-man this offseason due to their profile and efficiency. Others who perhaps didn’t have a terrific 2023 however are nonetheless Rule 5 eligible this offseason, like Diamondbacks lefty Blake Walston or Brewers righty Joseph Hernandez, will attempt to play nicely sufficient to both persuade their guardian membership so as to add them or one other crew to contemplate them within the Rule 5 Draft. Particularly as participant growth has improved, there are normally a number of older pitchers whose names I barely know till they throw within the AFL; they’re usually the categories who discover their means into large league bullpens the next season.