As the Arizona Fall League (AFL) gets underway, here are some news, notes, and how to watch some of the best prospects Major League Baseball offers.
Zyhir Hope Turning Heads
A week after making headlines with a 471-foot blast, Zyhir Hope has continued to impress in the Arizona Fall League. The 19-year-old Dodgers prospect hit two more home runs and now leads the league with 12 RBI. Hope had already risen the prospect ranks during a strong season at Single-A Rancho Cucamonga, and his performance thus far in the AFL has further cemented himself as a name to watch in 2025
Zyhir Hope with his 3rd AFL home run. The upside here is massive. pic.twitter.com/NVbT3pdgi9
— Eric Cross (@EricCross04) October 16, 2024
Chase DeLauter Hits First AFL Home Run
The Guardians’ first-round pick from 2022, injuries have hampered Chase DeLauter over his first two minor league seasons and limited him to less than 100 combined games. When he was on the field, the outfielder still exhibited elite raw power and an excellent approach, walking 42 times against 52 strikeouts. DeLauter had his longest stretch of health after returning from injury in July, slashing .292/.356/.607 over his final 24 games. That dominance has continued into the AFL, as he blasted a 425-foot home run in his third game of the year. What once looked like a lost season for the 22-year-old has turned into a rejuvenation story, and Delauter will enter 2025 as one of the best power-hitting prospects in baseball.
"There's that power."
In his third game of the '24 Arizona Fall League, @CleGuardians No. 2 prospect (MLB No. 41) Chase DeLauter crushes this two-run dinger.
425 ft | 109 mph pic.twitter.com/MQLZnIS7FY
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) October 16, 2024
Padres Star Duo Impresses
While the Padres present centers around hard-fought battles with the Dodgers, their future may be found on the fields in Arizona. Two of the best teenage prospects in baseball reside in their system, and both catcher Ethan Salas and shortstop Leodalis De Vries have impressed this fall despite being among the youngest players in the league. De Vries collected four hits in his first four games, while Salas went 10-for-30 with five doubles. It might take a few years, but both 18-year-olds are looking to follow in Jackson Merrill’s footsteps as the next great organizational success stories.
MLB’s No. 19 prospect Ethan Salas (#Padres) continues his doubles tour through the Fall League, this one opening the scoring for Peoria.
The #Padres’ top prospect has 5 two-baggers in 6 contests pic.twitter.com/G2zgh9QVAh
— Jesse Borek (@JesseABorek) October 17, 2024
Niko Kavadas Finding Groove
It has been a whirlwind of a season for Niko Kavadas. The 24-year-old first baseman began the year in the Red Sox system, posting a red-hot .319/.466/.714 line over his first 31 games in Triple-A Worcester. While his average would eventually dip below .300, Kavadas would continue to hit for power and walk at an elite rate. That production caught the Angels’ attention, and he would become one of the four prospects acquired for reliever Luis Garcia. The out-of-contention Halos would give Kavadas an extended look over the final two months, and though he hit four home runs and walked in over 10% of plate appearances, a near-40% strikeout rate would limit his effectiveness. The Angels sent Kavadas to the AFL for some more reps, and though he has continued to whiff at a high frequency, he has collected seven hits in the first 17 at-bats and blasted his first home run on Thursday. As their rebuild picks up steam, the Angels are looking for controllable position players to lock into their lineup, and Kavadas could be the middle-of-the-order back they are looking for.
Niko Kavadas solo HR in the Arizona Fall League pic.twitter.com/YDoRYjmCVp
— AngelsMiLB (@AngelsMiLB) October 17, 2024
Fans can stream the Arizona Fall League all season here.
Photo Credit: Zyhir Hope #13 of the Glendale Desert Dogs bats during the game between the Glendale Desert Dogs and the Peoria Javelinas at Peoria Sports Complex on Monday, October 14, 2024 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
