The Arizona Fall League (AFL) is set to begin its new season in five days, with Scottsdale facing Peoria on Monday at 6:30 p.m. local time. The AFL provides a platform for many of baseball’s top prospects to compete over six weeks, but it also serves as an opportunity for lesser-known players to showcase their abilities.
The league has historically been a venue where emerging talents can stand out, especially those who missed playing time due to injuries or needed more opportunities during the regular season. Last year, Josue Briceño used his AFL performance to rebound from injury and secure a spot among the Top 100 Prospects.
Each Major League Baseball organization will have at least one under-the-radar prospect participating this year. For the Philadelphia Phillies, right-handed pitcher Jaydenn Estanista is highlighted as their notable under-the-radar player. According to the release, “Estanista, who will turn 24 just before the start of the AFL season, had snuck onto the Phillies’ Top 30 because of his raw stuff and upside in 2023, and he missed a lot of bats in ’24 but has battled inconsistency with the strike zone, with a career 6.0 BB/9 rate. He still can miss bats and featured a fastball up to 98 mph in 2025, a slider and cutter both in the mid-80s, and even a splitter mixed in occasionally.”
Other organizations are sending similar prospects who have shown potential but remain outside their teams’ top rankings. These players include pitchers like Yondrei Rojas (Blue Jays), Mason Auer (Rays), Jojo Ingrassia (Red Sox), A.J. Causey (Royals), Kenny Serwa (Tigers), Dylan Questad (Twins), Jarold Rosado (White Sox), Ryan Costeiu (Angels), Jeron Williams (Astros), Corey Avant (A’s), Charlie Pagliarini (Mariners), Joey Danielson (Rangers), Patrick Clohisy (Braves), Aiden May (Marlins), D’Andre Smith (Mets), Pablo Aldonis (Nationals), Michael Fowler (Brewers), Travis Honeyman (Cardinals), Luis Martinez-Gomez (Cubs), Carlson Reed (Pirates), Johnathan Harmon (Reds), Jacob Steinmetz (D-backs), Alex Makarewich (Dodgers), Parks Harber (Giants), Tucker Musgrove (Padres) and Braylen Wimmer (Rockies).
These players often possess unique skills or storylines—such as recovering from injury or transitioning between positions—that could help them advance within their organizations if they perform well during the fall campaign.
The AFL continues to be watched closely by scouts and fans interested in tracking emerging talent across all MLB farm systems.
