2024 Arizona Fall League – Midseason Spotlight

For the third year in a row, I’m heading out to the desert to take in some Arizona Fall League games. If you’re a fan of Minor League Baseball, or you enjoy following prospects for your favorite team or your dynasty leagues, the AFL is a must visit. My plan is to hit as many games as I can over the course of a few days, and will then finish up my visit with the annual AFL Home Run Derby and Fall Stars Game.

My focus for this article is threefold:

• Look at the hottest players in the league over the last week.
• Look at the top players in the league. (Stats through 10/26)
• Snapshot of the players that were in Arizona who have left or are done for whatever reason.

ON FIRE LAST WEEK

Josue Briceño, 1B, Tigers – Not only is Briceño the leading hitter after the first three weeks of the season, he’s also staying hot, putting up the most total bases (14) over the last week. He leads the AFL with 46 TB in 13 games. The 20-year-old from Venezuela is the early favorite for League MVP, as he’s already smashed 7 homers, knocked in 15 runs, and has a .438/.500/.958/1.458 slashline. Following a couple seasons in Single-A, there shouldn’t be any reason Briceño doesn’t start 2025 in High-A West Michigan.

My goodness. This was a ridiculous swing by Josue Briceño for his sixth homer of the AFL season. pic.twitter.com/ukz4uctrnS

— Aram Leighton (@AramLeighton8) October 23, 2024

Andrew Pintar, OF, Marlins – The Marlins’ 23rd ranked prospect (from our midseason Top 50 rankings) paced the AFL with 9 hits over the last week, logging a .421 average and a 1.041 OPS. Pintar came over to Miami from Arizona during the 2024 season and struggled for Double-A Pensacola. He’s making the most of his added reps this fall, tied for most hits in the league (21), and should be back in the Blue Wahoos lineup to begin next season.

Caleb Durbin, IF/OF, Yankees – If he’s available in your dynasty league, definitely pick him up if you’re able to. The 24-year-old speedster impressed in the 2023 Arizona Fall League, played in 90 games (mostly in Triple-A) but missed two months this year, so the organization decided to give him more time again in the AFL. Just in the last seven days, he posted six base hits, including a homer, and stole eight bags! He’ll likely open the 2024 campaign in Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes Barre, but is one of the first farmhands I can see being promoted to the Bronx next season.

What a sequence. Caleb Durbin @Yankees gets hit with a strike. Challenges it then blasts a HR to left field off of Eriq Swan. Durbin also had 2 stolen bases in this game as well. Hard to not see him as a future major leaguer #ProspectOne pic.twitter.com/DXADv54NDF

— The Welsh (@IsItTheWelsh) October 25, 2024

Jose Acuna, LHP, Phillies – Four relief innings, no hits, no runs, two walks and seven K’s. That’s our AFL pitcher of the week! This was only Acuna’s second AFL game, and this followed up his good first outing (3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 K), so he’s not allowed a run yet.

Jose Acuna struck out five consecutive batters in the @MLBazFallLeague last night. 🔥

His final line: 4 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 7 K pic.twitter.com/fo2w47bfRN

— Reds On The Rise (@RedsOnTheRise) October 23, 2024

Connor Phillips, RHP, Reds – Phillips missed two months between June and August, so it’s nice to see the Reds getting him some more innings this fall. The 23-year-old made his MLB debut in 2023 and started five games (20.2 IP) for Cincinnati, but he had a rough 2024 season for Triple-A Louisville. His one AFL start this week was exactly what prospect followers want to see from him: 4 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 1 BB and 5 K. He’s our 8th ranked Reds prospect and could be fringe Top 100 overall come 2025.

STARS OF THE SEASON

Kemp Alderman, OF, Marlins – The 2023 2nd round pick out of Ole Miss is having a coming out party this fall. He’s second in home runs (6) behind only Briceño. Prospects1500’s 21st ranked Marlins prospect is one of the Peoria Javelina top hitters, currently third in OPS (1.208) and third in total bases (30). Alderman played across four levels in 2024, making it all the way to Double-A, and has a realistic shot of seeing MLB time this coming season.

Friday, Marlins outfielder Kemp Alderman hit a homer that left Salt River Fields in a real hurry, at 119.5 mph. pic.twitter.com/HBvj2F0oud

— FanGraphs Prospects (@FG_Prospects) October 22, 2024

Moises Ballesteros, C, Cubs – Following an all-star season between Double-A and Triple-A, this 20-year-old Cubs prospect is knocking on the MLB door and looks to be the “catcher of the future” in Wrigleyville. His 33 total bases in second in the AFL. Chicago’s 3rd ranked prospect is one of the top ranked prospects in the desert this fall, and he’s undoubtedly living up to lofty expectations.

Colt Emerson, SS, Mariners – Emerson, Seattle’s #2 prospect, hasn’t stopped hitting since the league opened on October 7th. The Mariners’ 1st round pick in 2023 (22 overall), leads the league in doubles (8) and is third in hits (19). The 19-year-old is also flashing plenty of speed with his 7 SB, good for a tie of third, behind only Durbin (14) and Milan Tolentino (8). He spent 2024 as a 19-year-old in Single-A/High-A, so 2025 looks to be a High-A/Double-A season for Prospects1500’s 28th overall prospect.

Doubles machine Colt Emerson with another one. pic.twitter.com/DLbGMJW75u

— Mariners Minors (@MiLBMariners) October 17, 2024

Josh Stephan, RHP, Rangers – The Rangers’ 22nd ranked prospect has the most innings pitched (12.2) and has only gave up one earned run (0.71 ERA), while striking out 12. The eight hits allowed were scattered and he’s keeping the walks down (3), which has helped to his stellar 0.87 WHIP.

Samy Natera, LHP, Angels – Seven innings pitched across three games, and Natera has allowed only one hit, walked two, and struck out eight. The 20-year-old SP did not make our midseason Angels Top 50, but we’re definitely keeping an eye on him as we head into the offseason and make notes for our upcoming preseason Top 50s in 2025.

THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES

Cole Young, 2B, Mariners – Seattle’s top prospect in our midseason ranks came into the AFL following a solid season at Double-A as a 20-year-old. Unfortunately after one game, where he went 0-3 with two walks and a run scored, it was announced that due to a wrist injury, that he’s reportedly dealt with for months, would not continue in the league. Mariners fans would rather their blue chipper is healthy for the 2025 season.

Bryce Eldridge, 1B, Giants – San Francisco’s #2 prospect (our 66th overall) was having a solid campaign for the Scottsdale Scorpions. Eldridge, who just turned 20 on October 20th, was slashing .293/.348/.512 through 10 games, with two homers and 21 total bases. Nothing official, but it’s reported that the Giants have ended Eldridge’s 2024 season to get him some much needed R&R.

Colson Montgomery, SS, White Sox – Chicago’s top prospect (our 18th overall) played 11 games for the Glendale Desert Dogs, his second Arizona Fall League stint. He finished with three home runs, two doubles, and a .511 OBP, which ranked 3rd in the League following his final game. Montgomery is coming off a full season at Triple-A Charlotte and will be battling for a spot on the White Sox MLB roster during 2025’s Spring Training.

Rafael Flores, C, Yankees – Flores was named to be part of the 2024 Salt River Rafters, but the 23-year-old who played in 123 games across Double-A and Triple-A, did not play and was replaced by New York’s Antonio Gomez on the AFL roster.