The Arizona Fall League, or AFL, is less than a month away, and rosters have been unveiled! In this article, I’ll be highlighting a handful of top prospects participating in the AFL that are not only must-watch, but may make impacts on your dynasty teams soon.
Before we dive into the prospects, I’d like to review some FAQs as either an introduction or a simple refresher as to what the Arizona Fall League is.
Q: What is the AFL?
A: The AFL is a six-team showcase league that plays around 30 games per season, helping prospects in a variety of different ways. Here are a few examples:
– a prospect who was out for most/all of 2025 with an injury makes up PAs or IP here; Boston Red Sox RHP Luis Perales is a prime example this season
– fringe 40-man, Rule 5 Draft eligible players either (A) boost their stocks, (B) show that they deserve a roster spot over the winter, or (C) boost their stocks for a potential trade come offseason time; ex-New York Yankees’ INF Caleb Durbin balled out in the AFL so, with helium, they dealt him to the Milwaukee Brewers for RHP Devin Williams
– prospects who are fringe 40-man candidates the next season (Rule 5 Draft eligible in 2026) that could be used in trades and/or released if they don’t show signs of improvement
Q: What does the AFL scheduling look like?
A: This year, the AFL starts on October 6th and concludes with the league championship on November 15th. Off days are every Monday starting October 13th to November 3rd.
The Fall Stars (All-Star) HR Derby takes place on November 8th, and the ASG takes place on November 9th.
Q: Is there a new playoff format?
A: Yes! This year, all six squads will make the playoffs. The first round will feature two matchups — #3 vs. #6 and #4 vs. #5 — with the top two seeds getting a bye. The winners will face the top two teams, and those winners will clash in the AFL championship. It is a single-elimination tournament.
Q: Which AFL team will my favorite organization’s prospects play for?
A: Here’s the full six-team breakdown below…
- Mesa Solar Sox: Athletics, Chicago Cubs, Miami Marlins, New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays
- Glendale Desert Dogs: Atlanta Braves, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays
- Peoria Javelinas: Baltimore Orioles, Cincinnati Reds, Minnesota Twins, San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners
- Salt River Rafters: Arizona Diamondbacks, Boston Red Sox, Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Angels, Pittsburgh Pirates
- Scottsdale Scorpions: Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros, New York Mets, San Francisco Giants, Washington Nationals
- Surprise Saguaros: Cleveland Guardians, Kansas City Royals, Milwaukee Brewers, Philadelphia Phillies, Texas Rangers
Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s dive in!
Kevin McGonigle, INF, Detroit Tigers
| Height | Weight | Bats/Throws | Age |
| 5’10” | 187 lbs | L/R | 21.1 |
McGonigle is, in my opinion, the best overall prospect in the world. I don’t think it’s crazy to say that at all — in fact, I think it’s crazier that a chunk of outlets don’t have him at number one. Simply put, McGonigle is a hitting machine from the left side. A “demon” in the box, if you will. Not only does the kid absolutely rake, but his ability to take ball four at an elite rate makes him such a valuable asset at the top of the order. On top of the big OBP-ability, McGonigle limits strikeouts and whiffs like nobody else can. He has far more walks (123) than Ks (84) since making his pro debut as an 18-year-old.
This season, the young phenom has slashed a combined .305/.408/.583 with a 182 wRC+, walking at a 15% clip and tallying 19 home runs in 88 games between A-ball and Double-A. Through September 5th, he’s rocking a 1.059 OPS and 193 wRC+ as well. I expect him, barring any setbacks, to make major league contributions next year. He is the future.
Josue De Paula, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers
| Height | Weight | Bats/Throws | Age |
| 6’3″ | 185 lbs | L/L | 20.3 |
De Paula’s numbers alone are impressive, but considering his age, they’re jaw-dropping. Like McGonigle, De Paula has monster OBP potential, drawing walks at an elite rate — his rate of 16% since making his pro debut in 2022 as a seventeen-year-old is star-worthy. While his speed isn’t elite, his knack for stealing bases is, tallying 89 thefts in 109 attempts (82% success rate) since 2022. Even better, he’s had back-to-back years with 27+ SBs.
Combined with the eye and base-stealing ability is De Paula’s frame. He’s going to grow more, certainly get stronger, and with that comes the power. He may “only” have an OPS of .827 in High-A through 98 games, but more is on the way. He already has demonstrated his ability to produce big-time exit velocities.
De Paula’s rocking a .250/.391/.400 slash line with an 18% walk rate and 133 wRC+, all while swiping 32 bases. This played helped him earn a promotion to Double-A recently, playing just four games at the level this season. If he stays on this track, I wouldn’t be shocked if we see him late next year… certainly early 2027. He is, in my humble opinion, a top-five prospect in the sport.
Luis Perales, RHP, Boston Red Sox
| Height | Weight | Bats/Throws | Age |
| 6’1″ | 160 lbs | R/R | 22.5 |
Perales, once inside Baseball America’s top 100 prospects, has seen himself fall in the rankings — not because of his talent, that’s for sure, but because of an elbow injury that sidelined him in early 2024. The young right-hander is so dynamic when healthy, with an 80-grade fastball that gets to 100+ mph and can generate 20+ inches of vertical break. Insane! He also has a cutter that’s proven to be super effective, a splitter that can induce weak contact and generate some silly swings, and a nifty slider and curveball that can be thrown when need be.
Before undergoing Tommy John surgery last season, Perales pitched to a 2.94 ERA/1.91 FIP with a diabolical 39% K rate between High-A and Double-A. Since making his long-awaited return in 2025, Perales has tossed two shutout innings with Double-A and Triple-A, punching out three batters and walking one. His most recent performance was impressive, generating five whiffs and striking out the side in his Worcester debut, using his elite four-seamer once.
Perales will certainly contribute to Boston’s pitching staff in 2026 if he’s healthy. He’s still in consideration to even contribute at the major league level this season to help Boston make one last push for the playoffs, per multiple reports.
You can read a mini breakdown on Perales, as well as the additional seven Boston prospects participating in the AFL on my Medium, here.
Daniel Espino, RHP, Cleveland Guardians
| Height | Weight | Bats/Throws | Age |
| 6’2″ | 225 lbs | R/R | 24.8 |
Espino is another superb right-hander who’s seen his stock plummet (at least on public ranking sites, that is), due to injuries. His case is far more severe than Perales’s is (or was), though, seeing that he’s consistently missed an abundant amount of time every single year. He has yet to surpass 100 innings as a starting pitching prospect and has only exceeded 50 IP once. He has not pitched since 2022, either — not ideal.
When he is on the mound, however, Espino is electric. The flamethrower has an 80-grade fastball that can get up to 103 mph and can be used any time, anywhere. Frankly, it may be the best pitch in the Arizona Fall League. He also has a power slider, a curveball, and a changeup. Through just 33 career starts at the pro level, Espino’s turned in a 3.57 ERA/3.20 FIP with a 1.06 WHIP and — get this — a 41% K rate through 133.2 innings.
Please. Stay. Healthy. He could pitch out of a major league bullpen tomorrow if he just stuck on the mound for a consistent period of time.
Chase DeLauter, OF, Cleveland Guardians
| Height | Weight | Bats/Throws | Age |
| 6’3″ | 235 lbs | L/L | 23.11 |
DeLauter, a left-handed hitter with what I would call a “golf-ish” type of swing, is another uber-talented Guardian that will look to raise his stock in the AFL. The production has been great at every level he’s played at. For instance, slashing .264/.379/.473 (despite a .281 babip) with a clean 16% K/16% BB ratio and a 128 wRC+ this season between the Complex League (rehab) and Triple-A.
One massive difference in 2025 has been the underlying stuff, something I was really hoping to see him step up this season. His average exit velocity (91 mph), max EV (110 mph), and hard hit rate (52%) are all so substantially better than they were the year prior — he had a 19% hard hit rate in 2024, for example.
A couple of foot injuries have messed with DeLauter’s ability to stay on the field. When healthy, he looks like a potential left-handed stick that will mash in the middle of Cleveland’s order. And with all due respect, they sure need him to be that guy. I’d expect him to slot in every day at Progressive Field soon.
Joshua Kuroda-Grauer, INF, Athletics
| Height | Weight | Bats/Throws | Age |
| 6’0″ | 205 lbs | R/R | 22.7 |
Finally, a chance to spread my JKG propaganda! Kuroda-Grauer, a sweet-swinging righty, is one of the highest floor hitters in minor league baseball, effortlessly racking up base knocks left and right. The Athletics selected him in the third round of last year’s draft, and he’s already made it to Double-A, where his production has taken a leap against even better competition. JKG takes walks at a good rate, but the big part of his game is limiting swing-and-miss, maintaining excellent whiff and strikeout rates, notably making a ton of in-zone contact. He can also swipe a handful of bags.
Through 121 games between High-A and Double-A this season, JKG has slashed .296/.359/.372 with a 102 wRC+, 27 stolen bases, and a 7% BB rate compared to a 9% K rate. As previously mentioned, his wRC+ saw a major increase when facing even better pitching, going from 95 to 117. That’s not all — JKG has dropped his strikeout rate down to just 6% at the Double-A level. Absurd!
Not to toot my own horn, but I was extremely high on this kid during the draft process last year. I think the Athletics nailed a majority of their draft — they graded out as a top 3 class in my humble opinion — and JKG is a big reason why. He’s an unbelievably solid add for any dynasty manager moving forward. His hit tool could elevate him to the majors as early as next year.
