Prospects we want to see in the AFL — one from each team
We love the Arizona Fall League and can’t wait to see several of baseball’s best prospects face off against each other. The 30-game schedule begins Oct. 7, with the Fall Stars Game slated for Nov. 9 and the championship game for Nov. 16.
Since the developmental circuit began play in 1992, it has produced more than 3,000 big leaguers. AFL alumni include Hall of Famers Roy Halladay, Todd Helton, Derek Jeter and Mike Piazza, as well as future Cooperstown inductees Albert Pujols, Max Scherzer and Mike Trout. Current stars who competed in the Fall League include Ronald Acuña Jr., Mookie Betts, Bryce Harper, Aaron Judge, Francisco Lindor and Corey Seager.
Rosters won’t be announced for another week or two, so we’re happy to lend a helping hand. We’ve assembled a list of prospects we hope to see in the AFL in case clubs need some suggestions. Our group of 30 candidates — one from each organization — features 17 Top 100 prospects and four first-round picks from the 2024 Draft.
Blue Jays: Kendry Rojas, LHP (No. 12)
Rojas was out of the High-A Vancouver rotation for nearly three months due to a shoulder issue but has dominated since his July 9 return with a 2.16 ERA and 56 strikeouts in 50 innings. His 62 2/3 frames on the year are still below his career single-season high of 84, making the AFL a prime place to make up for lost time, and his above-average fastball and slider could be promising weapons in such a loaded circuit.
