The Arizona Fall League (AFL) is back in action, and with it comes a fresh wave of excitement for baseball fans eager to catch a glimpse of tomorrow’s Major League stars. Opening night on October 6, 2025, saw the Scottsdale Scorpions narrowly edged out by the Peoria Javelinas, 4-3, at Scottsdale Stadium, but the real story was the parade of top prospects making their debuts on the desert stage. Among them, the Detroit Tigers’ Kevin McGonigle and Max Anderson, as well as a talented contingent from the Tampa Bay Rays, are seizing the opportunity to develop their games and make strong cases for future big-league roles.
For the Tigers, the AFL opener was a showcase of their organizational depth and commitment to player development. Kevin McGonigle, who has been making headlines as the No. 1 overall prospect in baseball according to MLB Pipeline, started at shortstop and batted second for the Scorpions. Though he finished the night 0-for-4 with a walk and two strikeouts, the 21-year-old’s presence was felt throughout the game. McGonigle’s journey to this point is impressive—selected 37th overall in the 2023 MLB Draft out of Monsignor Bonner High School in Pennsylvania, he has consistently hit .300 or better across all three of his professional seasons. His 2024 campaign at Double-A Erie was nothing short of electric: a .305/.408/.583 slash line, 19 home runs, and 80 RBIs. After missing some early time in 2025 due to injury, his participation in the AFL is designed to help him log additional at-bats and keep his development on track. If he keeps up his torrid pace, there’s a real chance he could leapfrog Triple-A Toledo and earn a Major League call-up in 2026.
Max Anderson, another key Tigers prospect, also made his AFL debut in the opener. Selected 45th overall in the same 2023 draft out of Nebraska, Anderson is ranked as the Tigers’ No. 9 prospect. He started at third base, batted third, and delivered a solid performance: 1-for-3 with a run scored, a walk, and two strikeouts. Anderson’s 2025 season saw him split time between Double-A Erie and Triple-A Toledo, where he played 122 games and posted a .296/.350/.478 line with 19 home runs and 88 RBIs. With experience at both infield spots and a bat that continues to impress, Anderson is eyeing a possible Major League debut of his own in 2026.
The Tigers’ involvement in the AFL extends beyond McGonigle and Anderson. Left-handed pitcher Jake Miller, another Top 30 organizational prospect, joins infielder Jake Penney and right-handed pitchers Daniel Fregio, Carlos Lequerica, and Kenny Serwa on the Scottsdale roster. This diverse group of young talent is set to benefit from the high-level competition and exposure the AFL provides, as the Scorpions prepare for a busy week with games against Salt River, Glendale, Mesa, and another rematch with Peoria. The schedule includes a unique tripleheader against Glendale at Kino Sports Complex in Tucson—a rare treat for fans and a test of endurance for the prospects.
Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Rays are also making waves with their own promising crop of prospects in the AFL. Outfielder Aidan Smith, acquired from the Mariners at the 2024 Trade Deadline in the blockbuster deal for postseason hero Randy Arozarena, is using his time in Arizona to round out his game. Smith’s first full season in the Rays’ system saw him play 102 games for High-A Bowling Green, where he hit .237/.331/.388 with 14 home runs and an impressive 41 steals. His athleticism and defensive versatility have been on display, with the Rays assigning him to center field for 86 of his 94 starts. Still, Smith’s 31.2% strikeout rate was a concern, but he worked closely with the Rays to implement a two-strike approach late in the season. The results were promising: in his final 14 games, he hit .309/.397/.527, and his strikeout rate dipped to 25.4%. "With the Rays right away, immediately, it was OK, we want you to play defense at a high level as well," Smith said. "Not just hit. Not just run. I think that adding that tool has really helped me improve as an overall player."
The Rays’ AFL contingent doesn’t stop there. Outfielder Brailer Guerrero, just 19 years old and the youngest Fall Leaguer this year, is looking to build on a .251/.341/.403 line with six homers in 50 games for Single-A Charleston after battling through injuries. Infielder Brayden Taylor, the 2023 19th overall pick and a Top 100 prospect, is hoping to bounce back from a tough Double-A season where he hit just .173. Taylor’s fly-ball-heavy approach could benefit from the Arizona air, and the Rays are eager to see if he can add more power to his profile.
On the mound, the Rays are represented by a dynamic group of arms. Jackson Baumeister, acquired from the Orioles in the Zach Eflin trade, endured a challenging 2025 with a 4.62 ERA and 51 strikeouts in 62 1/3 innings at Double-A Montgomery, but finished strong after a shoulder injury with a 0.74 ERA in his last six outings. Mason Auer, who has transitioned from outfield to pitching, brings plus-plus arm strength but is still raw, having walked 10 in just 5 2/3 innings at Single-A Charleston. Jadon Bercovich, Andrew Lindsey, and Jonathan Russell round out the Rays’ AFL pitching staff, each bringing their own intriguing skill sets and stories of perseverance.
The AFL is renowned for providing a proving ground for prospects on the cusp of breaking through. With games running through November 12 and most days featuring all six teams in action, the atmosphere is electric and the pressure is real. For McGonigle, Anderson, Smith, and their peers, it’s a chance to show not only what they’ve learned but also how they handle the spotlight. As Smith put it, "You’re not going to see the same guys over and over. You just have to have something that you’re comfortable with going into the box regardless of who’s on the mound and be able to execute that."
With the action just heating up, fans and scouts alike will be keeping a close eye on these rising stars. The next few weeks in Arizona promise plenty of drama, development, and maybe even a glimpse at the future faces of Major League Baseball. For now, the AFL is living up to its reputation as baseball’s premier autumn showcase, providing unforgettable opportunities for both players and fans.
