The Arizona Fall League is commonly a spot to make the most of additional reps for guys with damage shortened seasons. Principally greater finish bats, there are some excessive profile pitchers yr to yr. 2023 featured Jackson Jobe and Ricky Tiedemann and 2024 included most notably Andrew Painter and Yu-Min Lin. Fall league stats needs to be checked out equally to spring coaching stats because it’s largely used for reps. Some gamers Beneath are a couple of gamers to observe as 2025 prospect risers or potential MLB debuts.
Andrew Painter, PHI: 15.2 IP | 10 H | 4 ER | 4 BB | 18 Okay
The best rated pitching prospect within the 2024 AFL was Andrew Painter. After lacking all of 2023 with Tommy John surgical procedure, Painter was a darkish horse to pitch late within the yr however the Phillies selected to not push it, as an alternative selecting to get him some reps in Arizona. Again in motion and pitching for the primary time above Double-A, he returning to his 2022 type. Painter was dialing the fastball again as much as 100 MPH once more and the numbers present the success.
Painter made six begins and confirmed he’s nonetheless a top-50 prospect. With the speed again, Painter simply wanted to shake off the rust. The command was iffy to start out, however 4 walks in 15.2 innings is an encouraging signal recovering from Tommy John surgical procedure. Painter walked simply 25 batters in his 103.2 innings through the 2024 season. Whereas it’s a smaller pattern dimension, the walks are the one slight concern from his AFL efficiency. Painter lived over the center of the plate an excellent quantity within the AFL, however his stuff is sweet sufficient to do this. That is one thing to keep watch over as he continues to climb the later, however the upside is a excessive as ever.
Yu-Min Lin, ARI: 9 IP | 9 H | 3 ER | 3 BB | 9 Okay
The second highest rated pitching prospect within the league is almost definitely Yu-Min Lin. The Diamondbacks younger left-handed pitcher had a fantastic 2022 and 2023 placing himself on the map. The top of 2023 and all of 2024 had been spent on the Double-A degree the place he was hit more durable than earlier ranges. Lin has a deep pitch combine however lacks a robust fastball. A mid to again finish starter, Lin has sufficient pitches to maintain hitters guessing.
Lin is smaller at 5’11” and 160 kilos so he gained’t mild up the radar gun. The secondary choices are the place Lin will make his mark. The changeup is his finest pitch, however an excellent slider and curve permit him to combine up the portfolio. Lin impressed within the AFL, placing out a batter per inning. Lin additionally pitched 4 innings in reduction for Chinese language Taipei within the championship sport. He threw 4 innings, permitting no runs, and placing out three. Catching up on missed time from 2024 after being hit by a ball within the dugout, Lin seems to be to be simply as constant. An outdoor likelihood to interrupt camp, Lin needs to be given a real shot in spring coaching.
Josh Stephan, TEX; 20 IP | 15 H | 5 ER | 5 BB | 21 Okay
Josh Stephan threw essentially the most innings of any pitcher within the 2024 AFL, and put up a number of the finest numbers in three begins over six appearances. Stephan broke out in 2022 and adopted it up with an excellent, however brief 2023 season. 2024 was an enormous of a regression yr because it was his first actual style above Excessive-A. Stephan stored his stroll charge respectable and strikeout charge up, however surrendered an excellent quantity hits in 2024.
With a 2.25 ERA with essentially the most innings pitched and yet another strikeout than innings, Stephan impressed. The command was there, as was the swing and miss. Extra of a again finish of the rotation starter, Stephan is aware of tips on how to pitch. It stays to be seen how the stuff performs at greater ranges, however Stephan has an excellent likelihood to be a No. 4/5 starter. Given all of the expertise within the Rangers rotation, he might be part of a commerce or used as a spot starter. Given the success within the AFL, Stephan ought to see 2025 start as a starter against reliever.
Marc Church, TEX: 6.2 IP | 5 H | 3 ER | 1 BB | 10 Okay
One among my favorites sleeper picks headed into the 2023 season, Marc Church has but to place all of it collectively. A reliever all through his minor league profession, Church has a two-pitch combine with some management points at instances however might be a late inning reliever. The Rangers gave him an opportunity to debut in 2024 and he threw a scoreless inning with one strikeout. He’s nonetheless younger and can flip 24 in March with a recent arm. With good dimension at 6’3″, Church dominated the autumn league to assist himself break camp with the Rangers in 2025.
Church has an athletic supply and continues to showcase his electrical fastball and slider mixture. There isn’t any query Church is a reliever, however this AFL efficiency exhibits he might be a excessive leverage reliever. The slider lives within the higher 80’s and the fastball within the higher 90’s. A two-pitch combine with common command is hard to achieve a high-leverage position. Church will almost definitely should show he can proceed this success earlier than the Rangers hand him a vital position.
Grant Taylor, CHW: 7.2 IP | 15 H | 8 ER | 7 BB | 13 Okay
Seemingly the most well-liked sleeper choose within the 2024 AFL, however the 2023 MLB Draft as nicely, Grant Taylor has constantly obtained buzz since draft day in 2023 as a begin with above common stuff. There aren’t many prospectors that aren’t on Taylor however the AFL didn’t fairly go as deliberate. Taylor had a dominant 19.1 inning debut between Rookie ball and Low-A. As a 22-year-old second spherical choose, that was to be anticipated. 19.1 innings, with a 2.33 ERA and 32 strikeouts is the beginning the White Sox anticipated once they drafted him 51st total.
Though not a fantastic efficiency from a numbers standpoint, Taylor nonetheless showcased the strikeouts. An AFL invite for Taylor was on account of missed time, however appears as if he was engaged on his pitches. The Arizona Fall League isn’t a result-heavy league, however it’s good to see. Permitting hits and runs don’t elevate alarms, however the seven walks in 7.2 innings isn’t excellent. Walks and hits allowed may each be on account of attempting new pitches, as Taylor walked simply two batters in 19.1 innings final season. Taylor is a pitching prospect that the majority assume will catapult himself into top-100 lists. That is immediately associated to his stuff. The stuff is above common throughout the board, with an opportunity to have a number of plus pitches. If he’s wholesome, the White Sox may begin Taylor in Double or Triple-A to start out 2025.
Peyton Pallette, CHW: 5.2 IP | 10 H | 8 ER | 2 BB | 6 Okay
One other excessive profile faculty arm drafted within the 2nd spherical by the White Sox, Peyton Pallette has seen some early success. Whereas he might not attain his frontline-starter potential, Pallette may develop right into a late-inning reliever. The command improved from 2023 to 2024, however nonetheless must see one other bounce. Drafted 62nd total in 2022, Pallette may see a debut no matter efficiency in 2025. Certainly the White Sox will give him the 2025 season to attempt to proceed to start out as they almost definitely end poorly within the standings once more.
As a second White Sox prospect with above common stuff that didn’t translate to plus numbers. Pallette was hit exhausting however restricted the walks in his small pattern dimension. Walks had been the difficulty within the common season in order this continues to lower, his inventory will increase. Just like Taylor, Pallette may begin at the next degree out of spring coaching. Barely forward of the timeline for Taylor, Pallette ought to see an MLB debut in mid-to-late 2025. This might come as a starter or reliever, however he needs to be given a shot to start out on a nasty workforce.
Jun-Seok Shim, MIA: 5IP 6H 11ER 12BB 5K
One of many high worldwide signings within the 2023 class, Shim was traded mid-season for Bryan De La Cruz in 2024. As a extremely touted pitcher, Shim had a promising wanting debut in 2023 for the Pirates. With eight innings over 4 appearances, Shim tallied 13 strikeouts to the tune of a 3.38 ERA. He was shut down with a shoulder damage and missed the whole lot of the 2024 season. Nevertheless Shim has time on his aspect and a corporation that has developed some pitchers nicely of late.
Shim didn’t bounce again from his shoulder damage throughout his AFL stint. 12 walks in a minuscule 5 innings pitched is problematic. Shim has dimension, standing 6’4″, backed up with good things. The outcomes haven’t been there for Shim, however he’s working again from damage. He’ll almost definitely begin 2025 in Low-A and the Marlins can be cautious with him workload. Accidents to each his shoulder and elbow have precipitated him to overlook time just lately. The hype isn’t as excessive as when he signed, however a strong 2025 may carry the hype again up for Shim.
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