Top Prospects Abound As Arizona Fall League Reveals Rosters

The Arizona Fall League 2023 rosters are loaded with top prospects ready to get a dash more experience and keep moving towards playing in the majors.

When the season starts on October 2, some players already in the big time will arrive to keep polishing their skills, others will look to get back on track after injuries and a few will be working on playing a new position. Here are some of the more intriguing prospects:

· Kansas City infielder Nick Loftin, a first-round pick in 2020, has batted .372 in 13 games with the Royals.

· Outfielder Victor Scott, 22, hit .303 and led the minors with 95 stolen bases in the St. Louis Cardinals’ system.

· Texas Rangers prospect Abimelec Ortiz, a 21-year-old first baseman, hit .294 with 33 homers and 101 RBI across two levels.

· Arizona Diamondbacks slugger Ivan Melendez, 23, hit 30 homers in only 96 games, playing first and third base.

· Harry Ford played for England in the World Baseball Classic. Then the 20-year-old catcher had 15 homers and 24 steals at High A Everett in the Seattle Mariners’ system.

· Lefty Ricky Tiedemann struck out 76 in only 40 innings over three levels. A biceps injury sidelined him but he is healthy now and the Toronto Blue Jays forsee him joining their rotation next year.

Here are the 2023 AFL rosters:

Glendale Desert Dogs

Dodgers: C/2B Yeiner Fernandez; LHP Ronan Kopp; OF Damon Keith, Jake Vogel; RHPs Ben Casparius, Jake Pilarski, Ryan Sublette, Kendall Williams.

Mets: C Kevin Parada; 1B JT Schwartz; 2B D’Andre Smith; LHP Tyler Thomas; OF/2B Rowdey Jordan; RHPs Nolan Clenney, Jordan Geber, Brendan Hardy, Trey McLoughlin.

Red Sox: C Nathan Hickey; SS-2B Brainer Bonaci; LHP Zach Penrod; OF Corey Rosier; RHPs Bryan Mata, Felix Cepeda, Wyatt Olds, Christopher Troye.

Twins: C Andrew Cossetti; 1B Aaron Sabato; LHPs Jordan Carr, Zach Veen; OF Kala’i Rosario; RHPs Malik Barrington, Ben Ethridge, A.J. Labas.

White Sox: 3B Bryan Ramos; SS Colson Montgomery; LHPs: Jake Eder, Fraser Ellard; OF Jacob Burke; RHPs Jordan Leasure, Adisyn Coffey, Josimar Cousin.

Mesa Solar Sox

Astros: C Miguel Palma; INF Zach Dezenzo; OF Kenedy Corona; RHPs Miguel Ullola, A.J. Blubaugh, Ray Gaither, Tyler Guilfoil, Jaime Melendez.

Athletics: SS Max Muncy; 3B Brett Harris; RHPs Jack Perkins, Royber Salinas, Stevie Emanuels, Yunior Tur, Jack Weisenburger.

Cubs: 2B James Triantos; OFs Kevin Alcántara, Alexander Canario; LHP Adam Laskey; RHPs Nick Hull, Chris Kachmar, Jose Romero, Tyler Santana.

Orioles: C Connor Pavolony; 1B TT Bowens; LHP Trey McGough; OFs Billy Cook, John Rhodes; RHPs Carter Baumler, Zach Peek, Carlos Tavera, Peter Van Loon.

Yankees: INFs Benjamin Cowles, Caleb Durbin; OF Nelson Medina; RHPs Nolberto Henriquez, Kevin Stevens, Baron Stuart, Trystan Vrieling.

Peoria Javelinas

Guardians: 1B Kyle Manzardo,; INF Christian Cairo; OF Chase DeLauter: LHPs Erik Sabrowski, Ryan Webb; RHPs Ross Carver, Bradley Hanner.

Mariners: C Harry Ford; INFs Tyler Locklear, Ryan Bliss; LHP Peyton Alford; RHPs Jimmy Joyce, Troy Taylor.

Marlins: C Paul McIntosh; INFs Jacob Berry, Nasim Nuñez; LHP Dale Stanavich; RHPs Gabe Bierman, Ike Buxton, Breidy Encarnación, Zach McCambley.

Padres: 1B Nathan Martorella, INF Graham Pauley; OF Jakob Marsee; LHP Jagger Haynes; RHPs Braden Nett, Cole Paplham, Francis Pena, Emmanuel Pinales.

Rays: C Dominic Keegan; SS Carson Williams, OF Shane Sasaki; LHPs Drew Sommers, Patrick Wicklander, RHPs Haden Erbe, Austin Vernon, Logan Workman.

Salt River Rafters

Braves: C Tyler Tolve; INFs David McCabe, Keshawn Ogans; LHPs Dylan Dodd, Jake McSteen; RHPs Darius Vines, Patrick Halligan, Brooks Wilson.

D-backs: C Caleb Roberts; INF Ivan Melendez; OF-3B A.J. Vukovich; LHPs Blake Walston, Jake Rice, Carlos Meza; RHPs Christian Montes De Oca,, Austin Pope.

Pirates: C Carter Bins; 3B Jack Brannigan; OF-1B Jase Bowen; LHP Nick Dombkowski; RHPs Alessandro Ercolani, J.C. Flowers, Cameron Junker, Tyler Samaniego.

Rockies: C Drew Romo; 3B-OF Sterlin Thompson; OF Benny Montgomery; RHPs Jaden Hill, Alec Barger, Chris McMahon, Juan Mejia, Case Williams.

Tigers: 2Bs Jace Jung, Hao-Yu Lee; OF Justice Bigbie; RHPs Jackson Jobe, Wilmer Flores, Dylan Smith, Tanner Kohlhepp, RJ Petit.

Scottsdale Scorpions

Angels: 1B Sonny DiChiara; 2B Adrian Placencia; OF Jadiel Sanchez; LHPs Nick Jones, Seth Lonsway, Eric Torres; RHPs Chase Chaney, Davis Daniel.

Cardinals: C Jimmy Crooks; SS Jeremy Rivas; OF Victor Scott; LHP Cooper Hierpe; RHPs Tekoah Roby, Edwin Nunez, Andre Granillo, Inohan Paniagua.

Giants: C Zach Morgan; 1B-LHP Reggie Crawford; LHPs Jack Choate, Hayden Wynja; RHPs Will Bednar, Marques Johnson.

Nationals: C Israel Pineda; 3B Trey Lipscomb; OF Robert Hassell III; LHP DJ Herz; RHPs Holden Powell, Orlando Ribalta, Jack Sinclair, Thaddeus Ward.

Phillies: C Caleb Ricketts; 2B Oliver Dunn; 3B-OF Matt Kroon; OF Gabriel Rincones Jr.; LHP Jordi Martinez, RHPs Christian McGowan, Andrew Baker, Mitch Neunborn, Dominic Pipkin.

Surprise Saguaros

Blue Jays: 3B-1B Damiano Palmegiani; OFs Dasan Brown, Will Robertson; LHP Ricky Tiedemann; RHPs Conor Larkin, Trent Palmer, Fitz Stadler, CJ Van Eyk.

Brewers: 1B-C Wes Clarke; SS Eric Brown Jr.; OF Hendry Mendez; LHPs Justin King, Adam Seminaris; RHPs Joseph Hernandez, RHP, Justin Yeager.

Rangers: SS-2B Cameron Cauley; 1B-OF Abimelec Ortiz; OF Alejandro Osuna; LHP Mitch Bratt; RHPs Emiliano Teodo, Anthony Hoopii-Tuionetoa, Zak Kent, Justin Slaten.

Reds: 3B Austin Callahan; LHPs Bryce Hubbart, Jayvien Sandridge Michael Trautwein; RHPs Zach Maxwell, Andrew Moore, Carson Spiers.

Royals: INF Nick Loftin, OFs Gavin Cross, Peyton Wilson; LHPs Rylan Kaufman, Angel Zerpa; RHPs Eric Cerantola, Jacob Wallace, Beck Way.

Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/chuckmurr/2023/09/22/top-prospects-abound-as-arizona-fall-league-rosters-announced/