The Arizona Fall League used to be a chance for some of the best prospects in baseball to grab an additional 100 plate appearances or 15 innings facing other top talents.
It’s lost its luster somewhat the past several years. The last AFL I covered live was 2015, but I also covered the 2009, and 2011 campaigns. The ‘09 season included a bushel and a half of big-name prospects, namely Giancarlo Stanton, Stephen Strasburg, Dustin Ackley, Josh Bell, Starlin Castro, Brandon Crawford, and Mike Moustakas.
For a stretch, clubs sent fewer of their top prospects, and have been even more restrictive with their arms. But the Mariners sent two Top 10 prospects last fall, and this season Seattle has sent not one but two of their top five prospects.
2023: Harry Ford, Tyler Locklear, Ryan Bliss, Jimmy Joyce, Peyton Alford, and Troy Taylor.
This time around, it’s even more interesting.
*The AFL begins Monday, October 7, and runs through mid-November. The HR Derby is Nov. 8 and the Fall Stars is Nov. 9.
