The Arizona Fall League has concluded, placing a closing wrap on the 2023 season. The Shock Saguaros took residence the {hardware} – not that which means something to most readers. Jakob Marsee managed to sneak by Offensive Participant of the Yr James Triantos for the highest OPS and MVP honors. Liam Hicks took residence the batting title. Twin sluggers Kala’i Rosario and Aaron Sabato shared the house run title. Ricky Tiedemann gained the AFL Pitcher of the Yr award over Davis Daniel. Further awards may be seen right here.
Listed stats are from the AFL.
5 Huge Hype Prospects
Kyle Manzardo, 23, 1B, CLE
101 PA, 6 HR, .272/.340/.565
Manzardo completed the marketing campaign on a robust notice. He reached base thrice within the championship sport and homered twice within the semi-final whereas main a nine-run comeback. The 2023 season represented a small step again in Manzardo’s prospect standing. Because of an excessive fly ball method, he struggled to succeed in base on balls in play. Whereas no slouch within the energy division, his exit velocities hovered round league common. His peripherals present proof of a post-trade adjustment, though I have no idea the specifics of that adjustment. We could be a small pattern quirk.
Ricky Tiedemann, 21, SP, TOR
18 IP, 12 H, 8 BB, 23 Okay, 2.50 ERA
After lacking a big chunk of the 2023 season, Tiedemann was readily available in Arizona for simply 4 begins. He made probably the most of them, exhibiting sufficient to take residence a closely-contested award. Tiedemann spent most of his energetic time at Double-A the place he made 11 begins totaling simply 32 innings. He missed bats with ease however struggled at instances with command – a problem which adopted him to the Fall League. He includes a repertoire of three plus choices together with a mid-90s fastball, a sweeper, and a changeup.
Jackson Jobe, 21, P, TEX
15.2 IP, 14 H, 5 BB, 19 Okay, 2.87 ERA
The following-highest profile pitching prospect in fall ball, Jobe almost matched Tiedemann over his four-start run. Jobe works with a deep repertoire of a minimum of 5 common or higher choices. He’s credited with a head for pitching together with a professional-level really feel for incorporating analytic evaluation into his improvement. After tasting one begin at Double-A this season, he’s on monitor for a Main League promotion someday in 2024.
Victor Scott, 22, OF, STL
96 PA, 3 HR, 18 SB, .286/.388/.417
A speedy left-handed hitter, Scott turned heads within the AFL through a sophisticated really feel for contact. He was one in every of solely a handful of hitters who recorded extra walks than strikeouts. Thought he has posted above common batting traces all through his temporary minor league tenure, scouts complain of a low-impact swing that may show exploitable in opposition to upper-level pitching. Scott’s path to the Majors doubtless appears one thing like Johan Rojas – a defense-first profile with the velocity and phone chops essential to publish an empty batting common.
Chase DeLauter, 22, OF, CLE
101 PA, 5 HR, 5 SB, .299/.385/.529
DeLauter is my decide for many intriguing participant to take part within the AFL. His swing is an acquired style – at first visually disturbing, however then it grows on you. Like Scott, DeLauter recorded extra walks than strikeouts, a feat that matches proper in with the Guardians hitting ethos. He additionally led the league in RBI. He can have a possibility to method the Majors subsequent season, however he must show he can get to energy outcomes extra constantly with a purpose to get the decision.
Three Extra
Oliver Dunn, PHI (26): A non-prospect coming off a robust Double-A marketing campaign, Dunn doubtless performed his method onto a 40-man roster this fall. He’s Rule 5 eligible so the Phillies must roster him or put together to look at him be drafted. Dunn posted a 1.071 OPS – fourth-best within the league to go together with 12 extra-base hits and 12 steals in 88 plate appearances.
Caleb Durbin, NYY (23): An Altuve-scale second baseman, Durbin led the AFL with 21 steals in 23 makes an attempt. He additionally posted a 1.044 OPS, good for sixth-best within the league. He even delivered a trio of residence runs to go together with 9 doubles and a triple in 99 plate appearances. He recorded twice as many walks as strikeouts. Durbin was arguably probably the most dynamic offensive performer within the AFL.
Damiano Palmegiani, TOR (23): Palmegiani was already ticketed for a job with the 2024 Blue Jays. With six residence runs and 21 RBI in 92 plate appearances, he was one of many top-performing energy hitters within the league. Pending offseason exercise, he’s primed to compete for an Opening Day task.
Did I miss a element or nuance? DM me on Twitter @BaseballATeam to counsel corrections.
