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Tag: AFL Scouting Report

  • 2025 Arizona Fall League Pitchers: Scouting Notes & Prospect Grades

    2025 Arizona Fall League Pitchers: Scouting Notes & Prospect Grades

    Continuing from the AFL hitters recap, we now move to the AFL pitchers scouting reports.

    The Arizona Fall League presented a volatile pitching environment, with inconsistent command, and uncompetitive pitches common across most outings. Rather than repeatedly noting command issues for each arm, the player reports assume below-average command as the baseline unless stated otherwise.

    The evaluations are focused more on a pitcher’s process over results, emphasizing pitch quality, usage, and execution. Pitchers who separated themselves did so by throwing strikes, maintaining a clear plan of attack, and mixing in quality secondary pitches.

    Below is a revamped player grading key that is focused on pitchers.

    All AFL Statcast data was pulled using Prospect Savant, a valuable resource for MiLB Statcast data.

    Arizona Fall League video archives and GameDay data, including pitch velocities and exit velocities, are available on MLB.com.

    A Grades (MVP / Cy Young Potential)

    No AFL pitchers met the criteria this year.

    B Grades (Above-Average MLB Player)

    Anderson Brito – Tampa Bay Rays

    Brito showed some of the most electric raw stuff in the AFL, led by a plus fastball that touched 100 mph and a sharp low 80s curveball. He also mixed in a mid to high 80s sweeper and flashed a usable changeup, giving him the potential for four average to plus pitches if he can command the changeup more consistently. With that development, he has the ceiling of a No. 1 or No. 2 starter. At minimum, the fastball, sweeper, and curveball are all plus and will play at the big-league level.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 100.1 Max Velo
    • 39.2% Whiff Rate
    • 61.3% Strike Rate

    Hagen Smith – Chicago White Sox

    Smith started the AFL All-Star Game and stood out with above average velocity from the left side, sitting mid-90s and touching 97 mph, with good vertical break on the fastball. His 83 to 85 mph slider featured more vertical break than horizontal break and consistently generated whiffs and takes. He did not consistently land a changeup for strikes, and further development of that pitch will be beneficial to sustaining long term success.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 97.5 Max Velo
    • 34.7% Whiff Rate
    • 31.9% Chase Rate

    Luis De León – Baltimore Orioles

    De León showed a strong three pitch mix with a 94 to 97 mph sinker, an 83 to 87 mph slider, and an 86 to 89 mph changeup. While execution wavered at times with non-competitive misses, he showed feel for sequencing, particularly by leaning more on the changeup against right-handed hitters. The combination of stuff and pitch mix gives him a realistic path to a mid-rotation starter role if command continues to improve.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 98.5 Max Velo
    • 37.9% Whiff Rate
    • 25.7% Hard-Hit Rate

    Aiden May – Miami Marlins

    May impressed across the two AFL starts I watched, working with a mid-90s cutter and sinker while throwing a heavy dose of sliders and sweepers from a three-quarter slot. He stood out for his ability to vary pitch usage and execute his plan, and he was one of the more complete pitchers I saw during the AFL. Health permitting, he projects as a viable major league starter.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 98.2 Max Velo
    • 27.3% Whiff Rate
    • 61.4% Strike Rate

    C Grades (MLB Potential)

    Karson Milbrandt – Miami Marlins

    Milbrandt worked primarily as a two-pitch arm, leaning on a fastball that touched 96 to 98 mph and a firm mid to upper 80s breaking ball that was labeled as a cutter but may play closer to a slider. He used both pitches against right and left-handed hitters. As outings progressed, his fastball quality became less consistent, and he was more vulnerable when pitching without his best velocity, leading to hard contact and home runs. Without further development of his curveball or another secondary, he profiles better as a bullpen arm or swingman rather than a long-term rotation piece.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 98.0 Max Velo
    • 45.0% Whiff Rate
    • 62.5% Hard-Hit Rate

    Chen-Wei Lin – St. Louis Cardinals

    Lin is a large framed right hander with a long, whippy arm from a lower three-quarter slot. His four-seam/sinker sat mostly 93 to 95 mph, while his changeup at 86 to 87 mph showed good arm side run and tunneled well off the fastball, particularly against left-handed hitters. The slider backed up at times and needs further refinement. He lost some fastball quality deeper into outings, but the fastball, sinker, and changeup mix gives him a chance to stick as a starter if the breaking ball improves.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 98.4 Max Velo
    • 29.5% Whiff
    • 6.9 ft Extension

    Tucker Musgrove – San Diego Padres

    Musgrove came out of the bullpen during the AFL but opened /started a few games during the 2025 regular season. I saw him for the first time during the AFL All-Star Game and thought he was one of the most impressive arms from a pure stuff standpoint, standing out with a plus fastball and slider combination. With the level of raw stuff, he could be rising on prospect lists in 2026.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 99.8 Max Velo
    • 27.1% Whiff Rate
    • 7.1 ft Extension

    Dennis Colleran – Kansas City Royals

    Colleran comes from a low arm slot and features a fastball and sinker in the mid to upper 90s, along with a low 90s cutter. His command wavered at times with stretches of bad misses and walks, but overall he limited walks across his AFL appearances. The low slot paired with his high velocity fastball mix gives him a strong chance to carve out a regular role in a major league bullpen.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 99.5 Max Velo
    • 25.5% Whiff Rate
    • 37.9% K Rate

    Hudson Leach – Houston Astros

    Leach throws from a standard overhand slot and sat mostly 93 to 95 mph with his fastball when I saw him, touching higher during the AFL. His standout pitch was a high spin curveball that consistently generated whiffs and already projects as a plus offering. He also mixed in an 88-mph cutter and showed a clear plan of attack against hitters. Good chance we see Leach in the Astros bullpen soon.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 98.0 Max Velo
    • 42.9% Whiff Rate
    • 18.2% Barrel Rate

    Najer Victor – Los Angeles Angels

    Victor comes straight over the top and showed power stuff, working primarily with a high 90s four-seam/sinker that he leaned on heavily. He mixed in a high 80s cutter that generated significant swing and miss along with an occasional low 80s slider. The velocity and whiff ability stand out, but he is heavily reliant on the fastball. He could get a chance in an MLB bullpen with potential for high-leverage situations.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 99.7 Max Velo
    • 72.7% Whiff Rate on Cutter
    • 44.8% Whiff Rate

    David Hagaman – Arizona Diamondbacks

    Hagaman worked primarily with a three-pitch mix featuring a 93 to 95 mph fastball, an 85 to 88 mph slider, and an 82 to 84 mph curveball. The slider generated most of his swing and miss and tunneled well off the fastball. While the fastball plays closer to average, he showed a good feel for his breaking balls and creates good extension. Would like to see him use his changeup more in games as I only remember seeing one thrown. Projects as a back-end starter as he builds up innings.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 96.9 Max Velo
    • 7.2 ft Extension
    • 62.1% GB Rate

    JoJo Ingrassia – Boston Red Sox

    Ingrassia has a deceptive delivery from a lower three-quarter arm slot on the left side. His sinker sat mostly 90 to 94 mph with arm side run, while his changeup averaged 85.2 mph and his slider averaged 84.7 mph, with both secondaries showing above average movement. He could lose control at times and may have a tough time executing pitches at the top of the zone, but the secondary movement gives him a chance to fill a depth starter or bulk relief role.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 94.6 Max Velo
    • 48.3% Whiff Rate on Changeup
    • 31.3% Whiff Rate

    Corey Avant – The Athletics

    Avant throws from an overhand slot and showed a solid fastball at 95 to 98 mph paired with an 85 to 87 mph slider. He generated multiple called strikes and showed an ability to vary his approach, favoring the slider against right-handed hitters and leaning more on his curveball and changeup against left-handed hitters. He still needs to improve execution, but the fastball slider gives him a path to a back-end starter role or a bullpen conversion.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 98.9 Max Velo
    • 17.8% Whiff Rate
    • 55.0% Hard-Hit Rate

    Jakob Wright – Los Angeles Dodgers

    Wright showed an impressive fastball at 94 to 96 mph with life during his time in the AFL. He mixed in a plus 84 to 86 mph slider, an 88 to 89 mph changeup, and a 78 to 79 mph curveball. His command was inconsistent, highlighted by the fact that he walked more hitters than he struck out during the AFL. The raw stuff and four pitch mix give him a chance to reach the majors, but his ability to execute consistently will determine whether he sticks as a starter or moves to a bullpen role.

    AFL Statcast Data:

    • 96.1 Max Velo
    • 27.7% BB Rate
    • 72.7% GB Rate

    Kannon Kemp – San Diego Padres

    Kemp has a large frame and showed power stuff in his brief AFL look, working with a 96 to 98 mph fastball and an 88 to 89 mph breaking ball that was labeled as a cutter. He features a simple delivery with a short arm action and does a good job hiding the ball. There are some questions about the fastball shape and overall pitch depth, and at this stage he looks better suited for a power bullpen role rather than a starting profile.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 99.5 Max Velo
    • 26.2% Whiff Rate
    • 70.0% GB Rate

    Sayer Diederich – Baltimore Orioles

    Diederich has a smooth overhand delivery from the left side and worked primarily with a 91 to 92 mph sinker that showed good vertical depth. His 79 to 82 mph curveball featured strong horizontal break and consistently missed bats, standing out as his best pitch. He also mixed in a changeup around 87 mph with solid movement. With below average velocity but a true bat missing breaking ball, he profiles best as a bullpen arm capable of generating weak contact.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 92.7 Max Velo
    • 39.1% Whiff Rate
    • 29.4% Hard-Hit Rate

    Bryce Cunningham – New York Yankees

    Cunningham is a large framed right hander with a smooth overhand delivery. He worked with a 94 to 96 mph fastball, an 83 to 85 mph slider, and an 85 to 87 mph changeup. He was hit hard when pitches leaked back over the plate, particularly when ahead in the count, and will need to refine how he attacks hitters in advantage counts. His size and pedigree suggest there could be more coming as he continues to refine his pitch mix and approach against both sides.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 96.1 Max Velo
    • 15.1% Whiff Rate
    • 6.9 ft Extension

    Koen Moreno – Chicago Cubs

    Moreno featured a below average fastball at 91 to 93 mph and leaned heavily on his changeup as his primary swing and miss pitch. He mixed the fastball and changeup well by executing fastballs up and changeups down in the zone. He also mixed in a low to mid 80s slider that he used almost exclusively against right-handed hitters for chases. While the velocity is light for a right hander, the fastball shape, plus changeup, and ability to throw strikes give him a path to a depth role.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 95.5 Max Velo
    • 40.7% Whiff Rate
    • 7.0 ft Extension

    Jack Mahoney – Colorado Rockies

    Mahoney is a short arm right hander with a deep pitch mix. His fastball sat 92 to 96 mph and included both a four-seam and sinker with arm side run. His slider and cutter tended to blend and were used more against right-handed hitters, while his 81 to 82 mph curveball showed more vertical depth than horizontal movement. His best secondary was an 84 to 87 mph changeup that tunneled well off the sinker. He varied usage against right and left-handed hitters but lacks a true standout pitch and will need to lean more on his secondaries to generate additional swing and miss.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 97.1 Max Velo
    • 24.8% Whiff Rate
    • 30.2% Chase Rate

    James Hicks – Houston Astros

    Hicks worked with a low 90s fastball and mixed in two breaking balls, including a slider and a sweeper with strong horizontal movement. He also featured a changeup that tunneled well off the sinker and consistently attacked the zone during the outings I saw. Without a plus fastball, he will need to continue leaning on his secondaries to keep hitters off balance and carve out a depth role.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 94.1 Max Velo
    • 31.8% Whiff Rate
    • 4.1% BB Rate

    Juan Sanchez – San Francisco Giants

    Sanchez has a deceptive delivery where he closes off heavily, turning his back to the hitter during leg lift. He worked with a 91 to 94 mph fastball and paired it with an 84 to 85 mph changeup that showed both horizontal and vertical movement. His fastball velocity dipped in his second inning of work as he continues building durability after missing the 2025 season. The deception should be particularly challenging for left-handed hitters and points toward a low leverage bullpen role.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 94.7 Max Velo
    • 29.9% Whiff Rate
    • 5.7 ft Extension

    Welinton Hererra – Colorado Rockies

    Herrera showed a loose arm and good rhythm from the left side, working with a 95 to 97 mph fastball that he was not afraid to challenge hitters with. He mixed in an 85 to 87 mph changeup and showed the ability to miss bats with the fastball, highlighted by striking out Hendry Mendez on three straight fastballs. While the frame is not large and the secondary mix is still developing, the velocity and confidence attacking the zone point toward a future bullpen role.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 97.8 Max Velo
    • 25.9% Whiff Rate
    • 76.2% GB Rate

    Jack Sellinger – Miami Marlins

    Sellinger has a unique rhythm in his delivery where he slows down a little on the arm swing, which can create timing issues for hitters. He worked with a fastball that topped out at 94.9 mph and showed below average extension, often missing arm side. His primary secondary was a breaking ball that he leaned on heavily and that generated significant horizontal movement. The combination of delivery disruption and a single bat missing pitch gives him a path to a low leverage bullpen role.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 94.9 Max Velo
    • 35.6% Whiff Rate
    • 19.0% Chase Rate

    Yordin Chalas – Arizona Diamondbacks

    Chalas has a lanky and projectable frame with good extension from a three-quarter arm slot. He leaned heavily on a 96 to 97 mph fastball with arm side run, throwing it more than 70 percent of the time. His primary secondary was an 83 to 84 mph slider that he used as a chase pitch. While the velocity stands out, he will need to continue improving both the consistency and effectiveness of his secondary offerings to solidify a role.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 98.3 Max Velo
    • 21.8% Whiff Rate
    • 8.6% BB Rate

    Johan Moreno – San Diego Padres

    Moreno throws from a high overhand slot and worked with a four-seam fastball that averaged around 95 mph and topped out near 97 mph, showing limited horizontal movement. He paired it with an 83 to 85 mph slider that featured good vertical depth and tunneled well off the fastball. He attacked the zone and generally limited hard contact, but concerns about fastball shape and the lack of consistent whiffs on the slider cap the overall profile.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 96.8 Max Velo
    • 27.7% Whiff Rate
    • 38.9% Hard-Hit Rate

    D Grades (Organizational Depth)

    Jonathan Harmon – Cincinnati Reds

    Harmon attacked hitters with a 92 to 94 mph four-seam and sinker mix along with an 82 to 85 mph changeup from an overhand slot. He also showed a curveball in the low to mid 80s but it lacked vertical depth. He demonstrated an understanding of how to work arm side with the sinker and changeup and glove side with the breaking ball, though the overall stuff profile points toward depth rather than impact.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 95.8 Max Velo
    • 50%+ Whiff Rates on Changeup and Curveball
    • 29.4% Chase Rate

    MiguelAngel Boadas – Minnesota Twins

    Boadas was building back up after missing the 2025 regular season and worked primarily with a 94 to 97 mph sinker that touched 98 mph and showed good horizontal movement. He mixed in an 87 to 88 mph cutter and an 82 to 84 mph slider that he used for swing and misses. He has a baby face, which gives me hope there could be more physical development, and he will need to work on his approach with his secondaries against left-handed hitters.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 97.6 Max Velo
    • 23.8% Whiff Rate
    • 32.1% Hard-Hit Rate

    Justin Chambers – Los Angeles Dodgers

    Chambers is a deceptive left hander whose pitch tracking at times struggled to classify his arsenal correctly. His primary offering was labeled as a changeup but sat 89 to 91 mph with heavy arm side run, showing up to 20 inches of horizontal break. His fastball showed similar movement traits with comparable arm side run. He also mixed in a sweeping slider around 78 mph. The profile leans heavily on the changeup and deception, limiting his upside to a low leverage bullpen arm.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 93.9 Max Velo
    • 35.6% Whiff Rate
    • 28.6% Hard-Hit Rate

    JP Wheat – Chicago Cubs

    Wheat stood out for his raw velocity, running his fastball/sinker up to triple digits during the AFL. He has a loose and quick arm that produces premium velocity, but he struggled to throw strikes consistently and did not show reliable feel for his cutter or changeup. The velocity is eye catching, but command and secondary development will determine whether he can carve out a bullpen role.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 101.7 Max Velo
    • 20.0% Whiff
    • 43.2% BB Rate

    Brandon Downer – Baltimore Orioles

    Downer has a large frame and a short arm action and was used primarily in relief during the AFL after starting during the regular season. He showed a fastball in the 93 to 95 mph range and mixed in a slider and a changeup, with the changeup standing out as his better secondary due to its horizontal and vertical movement. While he varied his pitch-mix against right and left-handed hitters, the overall profile points toward organizational depth.

    AFL Statcast Data:

    • 95.4 Max Velo
    • 18.9% Whiff
    • 8.8% BB Rate

    Logan Martin – San Francisco Giants

    Martin attacked hitters with a 94 to 96 mph fastball and an 86 to 88 mph cutter. He hides the ball well in his delivery and showed confidence attacking early in counts with the fastball. He also mixed in a 75 to 77 mph curveball, but it did not show standout movement, and his slider and changeup were not featured heavily in the outing I saw. Without a carrying secondary pitch, the overall profile points toward organizational depth.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 96.9 Max Velo
    • 21.6% Whiff Rate
    • 10.5% K Rate

    Jared Simpson – Washington Nationals

    Simpson has a long arm swing that gets deep behind him but does not appear to disrupt his timing. He worked with a 93 to 95 mph fastball and paired it with a hard slider that reached 88 mph, though the slider showed little vertical and horizontal movement. His command varied across appearances, and when it was off he tended to miss up and arm side with both the fastball and changeup. While the fastball gives him something to build on, improvement to his secondaries and overall execution will be necessary to elevate his role.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 96.0 Max Velo
    • 24.8% Whiff Rate
    • 35.6% Chase Rate

    Darlin Saladin – St. Louis Cardinals

    Saladin has a smaller build and a noticeable hitch in his arm swing, where his arm can get stuck in the back portion of the delivery. He worked with a 92 to 96 mph fastball and leaned on an 84 to 85 mph changeup that showed vertical depth as his primary secondary. His slider and curveball sit in the low 80s and lack distinctive shape. While the pure stuff does not stand out, he showed some feel to execute his pitches within his approach.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 96.6 Max Velo
    • 31.6% Whiff Rate
    • 70% Hard-Hit Rate
  • 2025 Arizona Fall League Hitters: Scouting Notes & Prospect Grades

    2025 Arizona Fall League Hitters: Scouting Notes & Prospect Grades

    After spending time at First Pitch Arizona in November, including the Arizona Fall League All-Star Game and Home Run Derby, I continued to follow the league throughout the playoffs. Once the postseason concluded, I went back and re-watched multiple earlier AFL games to get a better feel for the hitters across the league.

    Going forward, I plan to continue reviewing the Arizona Fall League annually and publishing scouting reports on the top names and standout performers.

    To keep evaluations consistent and easy to interpret, I used the grading key below to assign player grades.

    All AFL Statcast data was pulled using Prospect Savant, a valuable resource for MiLB Statcast data.

    Arizona Fall League video archives and GameDay data, including pitch velocities and exit velocities, are available on MLB.com.

    With that context in place, let’s dive into the 2025 Arizona Fall League hitter recap.

    A Grades (MVP / Cy Young Potential)

    None this year. While Kevin McGonigle was a close call, he did not quite make the cut.

    B Grades (Above-Average MLB Player)

    Kevin McGonigle – Detroit Tigers

    The top prospect in the AFL, McGonigle consistently put together quality at-bats, making good swing decisions and drawing plenty of walks. One of the more impressive moments during my time in Arizona was a foul ball he hit out of Mesa Stadium during the All-Star Game that reportedly registered at 118 mph. In another game, he just missed a home run to deep center field against Najer Victor, who featured one of the better fastballs in the AFL. He runs well, profiles as a multi-position defender, and lived up to the top-prospect hype, though there could be an adjustment period against top-end breaking stuff.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 15.8% Barrel Rate
    • 13.2% K-Rate
    • 20.3% BB-Rate

    Esmerlyn Valdez – Pittsburg Pirates

    Valdez was the standout performer behind only Tony Blanco Jr. at the derby. Larger than his listed 181 pounds, Valdez sets up deep into his back leg with a low hand setup. In one at-bat on a 1-1 hanging slider, he punished a pitch for a 114 mph home run against Pablo Aldonis. After that at-bat, he walked three straight times and often saw pitchers avoid the zone, highlighted by a 23.2% walk rate. He has shown improved contact rates which may help him be an above average bat in the corner OF.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 73.3 Bat Speed
    • 114.4 Max EV
    • 92.3% Z-Contact Rate

    Seaver King – Washington Nationals

    An athlete who runs well, King showed great balance in his swing with minimal head movement. I liked his approach in most at-bats, as he consistently drove the ball the other way. This included an inside-out home run hit at 103 mph against Najer Victor and a 109 mph double against JoJo Ingrassia. He also showed a two-strike approach by removing his leg lift. A good profile to bet on.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 72.0 Bat Speed
    • 62.5% Hard-Hit Rate
    • 89.8% Z-Contact Rate

    Alfredo Duno – Cincinnati Reds

    Duno is physically mature for his age and appears larger than his listed frame. He was aggressive in the zone and may have overswung at times, leading to some off-balance swings. Overall, I was impressed with his at-bats for such a young player and enjoyed the energy he brought. He just missed a home run on a hanging curveball and showed solid defensive actions behind the plate.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 74.0 Bat Speed
    • 18.3% BB-Rate
    • 20.8% Chase Rate

    Charlie Condon – Colorado Rockies

    Condon has a slightly crouched stance that takes away some of his height at the plate. His swing currently produces more line-drive contact than over-the-fence power. He makes consistent hard contact, but the home run power he showed in college at Georgia has yet to fully translate. He should get plenty of runway in Colorado, though expectations may need to be tempered from draft-day projections.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 71.4 Bat Speed
    • 50.8% Hard-Hit Rate
    • 76.5% Z-Swing Rate

    Cam Collier – Cincinnati Reds

    Collier has been a hyped prospect since being taken in the first round out of junior college after taking the Bryce Harper route out of high school. He shows multiple positive tools, including good defense, a strong arm, plus power, and a patient approach. He recorded the third-highest exit velocity of the AFL season at 115.3 mph and doubled on a 109 mph 1-1 slider. The biggest critiques are that his contact currently plays more to ground balls than game power, and he can get overly patient in early counts.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 74.5 Bat Speed
    • 63.1% Z-Swing Rate
    • 6.6° Avg. LA

    C Grades (MLB Potential)

    Braden Montgomery – Chicago White Sox

    One of the top hitting prospects at the AFL, Montgomery showed a patient approach and limited chase. This approach gives him a strong offensive foundation, though I did note multiple whiffs on pitches on the outer half of the plate. How the bat plays against higher-quality pitching will ultimately determine his ceiling. Overall, Montgomery’s best trait seems to be his willingness to take his walks. Have him as a player I need to watch more in 2026 to get a better feel for his bat.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 71.1 Bat Speed
    • 13.0% Chase Rate
    • 17.9% Barrel Rate

    Sam Antonacci – Chicago White Sox

    Antonacci has an incredibly balanced swing with an open stance and loose hands. He consistently put the ball in play early in counts and showed a strong feel for using the whole field. The offensive profile carries a high floor, but the ceiling is capped by limited power output unless the approach changes.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 69.8 Bat Speed
    • 92.7% Z-Contact Rate
    • 11.5% Whiff Rate

    Luke Adams – Milwaukee Brewers

    Adams was a fun player to watch. Despite his size and unique stance, he stayed short to the ball and consistently put together good at-bats. One standout moment was an 0-2 count he worked into a 10-pitch plate appearance, ending with a two-run home run in the ninth. He also showed good instincts as a baserunner.

     AFL Statcast Data

    • 73.3 Bat Speed
    • 13% Whiff Rate
    • 19.5% Chase Rate

    Blake Mitchell – Kansas City Royals

    Mitchell impressed as an overall hitter. He did not look overmatched against a left-handed matchup against Hagen Smith and showed more gap-to-gap power than home run power, though his 116.5 Max EV suggests more could come. He has enough juice in the bat to move off catcher if needed.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 73.0 Bat Speed
    • 116.5 Max EV
    • 35.7% Whiff Rate

    Tony Blanco Jr – Pittsburg Pirates

    A monster among men physically, Blanco stole the show at the AFL Home Run Derby with a record 122.9 mph home run. The power is real, but so is the swing-and-miss. He profiles as a true three-outcome bat and likely fits best as a DH at the next level.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 75.4 Bat Speed
    • 120.4 Max EV
    • 41.3% Whiff Rate

    Thomas Sosa – Baltimore Orioles

    Sosa, larger than his 160 listing on FanGraphs, has natural tilt in his swing and drove low pitches well. He homered at 107.5 mph and just missed another on a changeup, but better velocity and fastballs up in the zone may challenge the swing as he moves up. Already has a plus arm and bat speed.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 77.3 Bat Speed
    • 18.0° Avg. LA
    • 36% Whiff Rate

    Jonny Farmelo – Seattle Mariners

    Farmelo is a unique athlete with a strong, well-built frame. He generally does not chase much, though I did see him expand the zone on a 2-1 slider from Milbrandt. His standout hit during the time I watched was a 109.2 mph opposite-field single. On the basepaths, he looked jumpy and was nearly picked off multiple times, often relying more on raw speed and athleticism than refined instincts. He profiles to have above average power and speed along with solid walk rates, but I would expect volatility in his batting averages.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 72.8 Bat Speed
    • 20.4% Chase Rate
    • 36.2% Whiff Rate

    Ethan Petry – Washington Nationals

    Petry has power traits, but head movement during the load may affect consistency. He. crushed a single at 114.6 mph and has tools worth monitoring as he gets more reps in 2026 (only 101 MiLB PA in 2025).

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 75.4 Bat Speed
    • 114.8 Max EV
    • 74.6% Contact Rate

    Max Anderson – Detroit Tigers

    Anderson was one of the standout performers, slashing .447/.609/.809 in 69 plate appearances. He has a compact swing and found consistent hard contact. His in-game power may be closer to average given a contact profile built more on line drives than lift. He is likely to end up at a corner defensively, though he lacks the typical power.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 68.5 Bat Speed
    • 71.1% Hard-Hit Rate
    • 8.8° Avg. LA

    Parks Harber – San Francisco Giants

    A big-bodied hitter who still looks athletic for his size, Harber showed a patient approach and put together multiple quality at-bats in the limited time I saw him. I was impressed by an opposite-field home run that came on a 10-pitch at-bat. He has been on a tear since being traded from the Yankees and will get his first taste of the upper minors soon. He is an older prospect for the lower minors, but will be an interesting name to monitor as he gets tested against upper-minors pitching given the underlying power metrics.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 72.9 Bat Speed
    • 114.3 Max EV
    • 25.6% Barrel Rate

    Johanfran Garcia – Boston Red Sox

    Garcia is an offense-first catcher with quick hands and plus raw power. He consistently produced hard contact including a line-drive single to right-center field (109 EV) and a lineout to left field a(111 EV). Still yet to play above High-A, I think Garcia’s bat will get him to the MLB even with some contact concerns.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 73.3 Bat Speed
    • 112.3 Max EV
    • 68.6% Contact Rate

    Aidan Smith – Tampa Bay Rays

    Smith showed steady bat to ball ability and athleticism. The speed and defensive skills are present, but the power has yet to show up consistently in games. How the bat develops will determine whether he settles into an everyday role or depth option.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 70.8 Bat Speed
    • 92.8% Z-Contact Rate
    • 3.1% Barrel Rate

    Chris Suero – New York Mets

    Suero is strong for his size and is a plus runner. He uses a big leg kick that he turns into aggressive swings at the plate, which can lead to hard contact but also results in chases and whiffs. I saw two line drives (112 & 105.3 EVs) on 0-2 counts showing his ability to capitalize on mistakes. Suero has tools across the board and athleticism that gives him multiple role pathways if the contact improves.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 74.6 Bat Speed
    • 112.5 Max EV
    • 32.8% Whiff rate

    Josh Adamczewski – Milwaukee Brewers

    Adamczewski showed aggression in the zone with a smooth left-handed swing. He showed strong at-bats and confidence, highlighted by a 3-0 grand slam after striking out twice earlier in a game as well as a game-tying double in the AFL Championship. He may struggle against left-handed breaking pitches but profiles as a versatile role bat.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 68.3 Bat Speed
    • 17.1% Chase Rate
    • 68.1% Z-Swing Ring

    Charlie Pagliarini – Seattle Mariners

    Pagliarini’s swing generates elite bat speed, but the mechanics come with contact tradeoffs. He has a twitchy swing, and his body starts in a closed, loaded stance, with his load mostly a leg lift and forward drift. The power shows up in flashes, though contact inconsistency and defensive fit limit his role projection.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 78.1 Bat Speed
    • 15.6% Barrel Rate
    • 18.8° Avg. LA

    Logan Wagner – Los Angeles Dodgers

    Wagner showed a good feel for the strike zone and hunted fastballs early. He has a smooth swing with a small leg kick and a neutral stance. Wagner spent most of his time at first base during the AFL and has also spent time in the past at 2B/3B/SS. The bat itself may not profile strongly enough for a corner-only role, but his plate discipline and contact could make him an utility infielder.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 70.8 Bat Speed
    • 19.8% Chase Rate
    • 21.3% Whiff Rate

    Josh Kasevich– Toronto Blue Jays

    Kasevich was one of the more experienced prospects at the AFL having already played in the upper minors. He has a simple setup and makes consistent quality contact by getting the barrel on plane early. He does not consistently create lift or backspin to generate over-the-fence power and profiles best as a second baseman or infield depth.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 67.3 Bat Speed
    • 83.3% Contact Rate
    • 0.0% Barrel Rate

    Dylan Campbell – Philadelphia Phillies

    Campbell doesn’t have your typical projectable frame, but still hit the ball hard consistently. Campbell showed feel for pitches up and down the middle of the zone and drove the ball to all fields including homeruns to center field and right field. He is an average to above-average runner with a limited ceiling as his body does not project well.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 73.6 Bat Speed
    • 72.0% Contact Rate
    • 38.6% Swing-rate

    Owen Ayers – Chicago Cubs

    Ayers showed quality at-bats and strong defensive actions, including catching multiple runners stealing. Had multiple quality at bats and EVs over 100 including a 110.6mph lineout. He is older for his level, but will be an interesting name to watch as he faces upper-minors competition given the combination of defensive value and strong underlying metrics.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 74.2 Bat Speed
    • 15.8% Chase Rate
    • 18.3% Whiff Rate

    D Grades (Organizational Depth)

    Daniel Vasquez – Kansas City Royals

    Vasquez showed athleticism and opposite-field contact, but the offensive profile does not project to meaningful MLB impact. He looks to have put on more muscle than the 150 would have you think. He did put together some strong at bats against top pitching including a 107 mph single against Hagen Smith.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 67.5 Bat Speed
    • -2.0° Avg. LA
    • 88.6% Z-Contact Rate

    Enrique Bradfield – Baltimore Orioles

    Bradfield showed a new and unorthodox setup in the AFL, with his hands in front of his face and the knob pointing at the pitcher. He also has a good amount of loft in his swing for a player with his kind of speed, which led to a lot of routine fly outs. Fouled off and missed balls in the middle of the zone, showing less contact than expected. The flyball heavy approach and holes in the swing limit how often his speed can impact the game.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 66.4 Bat Speed
    • 78.8% Contact Rate
    • 0.0% Barrel rate

    Brailer Guerrero – Tampa Bay Rays

    Guerrero has plus bat speed and raw power but showed swing-and-miss tendencies in his limited 29 plate appearances. At the plate he has a simple setup with his hands on his shoulders but can possibly lose his timing with a large leg kick. He is already physically mature and do not expect more physical projection. He remains a long-term development project.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 73.5 Bat Speed
    • 64.2% Contact Rate
    • -30.5° Avg. LA

    Jansel Luis  – Arizona Diamondbacks

    Luis made plenty of contact but without impact. The bat projects below average, and he remains raw defensively. At the AFL he primarily played 3B and SS but hss also mixed in at 2B. Needs time to physically mature and find a long term position

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 69.6% Bat Speed
    • 91.6% Z-Contact Rtae
    • 0.5°  Avg. LA

    PJ Morlando – Miami Marlins

    Morlando looks the part physically but did not consistently impact the ball. His standout at bat I saw was a 10 pitch walk that started off 0-2 against Jakob Wright (LHP). He needs more offensive and defensive reps after limited pro experience.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 73.0  Bat Speed
    • 39.8% Whiff Rate
    • 27.2% Chase Rate

    Brayden Taylor – Tampa Bay Rays

    Taylor worked deep counts and drew walks but struggled to square up pitches consistently. His lofty swing with flyball tendencies and limited contact significantly impacts his ability to hit for a decent average. Mixing in time at 3B and 2B, the profile fits organizational depth.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 70.4 Bat Speed
    • 31.1% Whiff Rate
    • 24.5° Avg. LA

    Maui Ahuna – San Francisco Giants

    Ahuna struggled to make quality contact and was frequently beaten inside by AFL pitching. Though fine defensively at SS and 2B, the bat does not currently project to stick at the MLB level.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 36.4% Whiff Rate
    • 29.2% Chase Rate
    • 0.0% Barrel Rate

    Travis Honeyman – St. Louis Cardinals

    Honeyman put the ball in play frequently but lacked consistent quality contact. There is a lot going on in his swing with his head and body movement which I think will be an issue against top level pitching. He primarily played CF and does not have the bat to profile in the corner outfield. He profiles as organizational depth.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 70.2 Bat Speed
    • 30.3% Hard-Hit Rate
    • 20.7% Whiff Rate

    Brandon Winokur– Minnesota Twins

    Winokur’s long levers create challenges against higher-level pitching. He likely shifts to a corner role, with the bat being the main question.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 73.5 Bat Speed
    • 43.2% Whiff rate
    • 37.2% Chase rate

    Billy Amick – Minnesota Twins

    Amick showed significant swing-and-miss and struggled to impact hittable pitches. The profile faces steep challenges moving forward as he gets ready to test the upper minors.

    AFL Statcast Data

    • 67.6 Bat Speed
    • 46.6% Whiff Rate
    • 10.0% Hard-Hit Rate