Emerson, Alderman, Phillips earn AFL Week 1 honors
The opening week of the Arizona Fall League saw a host of strong performances both at the plate and on the mound. These three stood out from the pack of worthy candidates.
A pair of Peoria teammates — Colt Emerson (SEA No. 1/MLB No. 27) and Kemp Alderman (MIA No. 12) — earned AFL co-Hitter of the Week honors and Glendale right-hander Connor Phillips (CIN No. 15) was named the circuit’s Pitcher of the Week.
There was not a more dangerous pair of teammates opening week than the dynamic 1-2 punch that Emerson, the 19-year-old shortstop, and Alderman, a 23-year-old outfielder, provided for the Javelinas. Spurred by his historic 5-for-6 debut, Emerson leads the circuit with 11 hits and six doubles, and his 17 total bases rank second only to Alderman, who cracked a league-best five homers as fall ball got underway.
There may not be a more highly regarded pure hitter in the Fall League this year than Emerson, the Mariners’ first-round pick in 2023 who is in Arizona looking to make up some time after missing six weeks due to a fractured foot this spring. Seattle’s top prospect was the first player to record four doubles in an AFL game in at least 20 years, and the third player to record a five-hit, five-RBI game in the league.
All told, Emerson went 11-for-20 (.550) and added a few notable defensive plays as well during the first week of game action.
“I’m so grateful for the opportunity to do this,” Emerson said. “Being my age, I didn’t think that being in the AFL was possible, or if I was going to get picked. I’m just so grateful that I get 30 more games to do what I love.”
