First Player Impressions From MLB Arizona Fall League Games

The Arizona Fall League is up and running for the 2025 season.

The Fall League was a brilliant idea of the late Roland Hemond.

Hemond, a highly respected front office executive, wanted to find a way to keep players stateside during the offseason.

That’s how the Arizona Fall League was born, with the first game being played October 6, 1992.

An incredible number of Hall of Fame and MLB standout players have adorned the rosters of Fall League teams.

Basketball superstar Michael Jordan even played in the league in 1994.

The Arizona Fall League is comprised of six teams, each with players blended from five Major League Baseball organizations.

This year, the teams, and their MLB affiliations are:

Glendale Desert Dogs (Atlanta Braves, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays.)

Mesa Solar Sox (Athletics, Chicago Cubs, Miami Marlins, New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays.)

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, and Washington Nationals)

Surprise Saguaros (Cleveland Guardians, Kansas City Royals, Milwaukee Brewers, Philadelphia Phillies, Texas Rangers)

First Look At Several Fall League Players:

Generally speaking, Fall League rosters are comprised of young prospects who are chosen by their organization to hone their skills in the beautiful fall Phoenix weather.

Most rosters include players from the lower minor league affiliates, but a player like Diamondbacks pitcher Drey Jameson is included this year after missing time with injuries.

This old scout attended two games October 7. The day game featured the Desert Dogs against the home team Salt River Rafters.

The night game saw the Surprise Suguaros play the Mesa Solar Sox.

Some players caught this scout’s eye in the games. These were some initial impressions:

Luis Perales-RHP-Boston Red Sox-6-1, 160 pounds

Some analysis feel Perales is the Red Sox best pitching prospect.

Perales reached Double-A, but required Tommy John surgery for an elbow injury.

Perales went 1.1 innings, yielding one hit, walking two, and striking out two.

Perales threw his fastball at 101.1 miles per hour, with a very sharp cutter to compliment the fastball. He also used a slider, and one very effective changeup.

One would guess Perales will be moved along slowly this fall, but his stuff was outstanding.

Johanfran Garcia-C- Boston Red Sox-5-11, 196 pounds

Well regarded in the Red Sox organization, Garcia made this scout sit up in my seat with a very hard hit line drive to the deepest part of center field. The ball was caught, but it showed the strength Garcia brings to the plate.

Garcia is still making up for missing more than a year with torn knee ligaments in May 2024.

Garcia had 12 minor league home runs in just 196 plate appearances this year.

He also made an almost perfect throw to second base, just missing nailing the runner trying to steal. His POP time was outstanding, and his throw was crisp, with carry.

Poor footwork caused a passed ball in the game.

Jared Thomas-OF/1B-Colorado Rockies-6-2, 190 pounds

It isn’t always the highest ranked players that earn attention in the Fall League.

Jared Thomas smoked two doubles, and a triple in the game this scout watched.

It was impressive that Thomas used the entire field, taking pitches to the right-center gap, and to the left field corner.

To this scout, Thomas looks like a natural hitter for the vast outfield at Coors Field in Denver.

The highly touted Condon was the Rockies No. 1 selection in the 2024 MLB draft.

Condon played first base October 8, and showed some outstanding foot work, and agility, effortlessly scooping up two difficult throws in the dirt.

At the plate, he got only one single in five at-bats, but the ball screamed off his bat with 100+ miles per hour exit velocity.

Daniel Espino-RHP-Cleveland Guardians- 6-2, 225 pounds

A 2019 first round pick of the Cleveland Indians out of high school, Espino has battled injuries since turning professional.

After suffering two shoulder surgeries, and knee issues, Espino made a September start for the Triple-A Columbus Clippers, a Guardians affiliate.

Espino’s Fall League performance had to be very encouraging for the Guardians front office.

Espino threw an aggressive fastball from 95-98 miles per hour, a wicked slider, a cutter, and a curveball in one inning of work.

Espino induced swings-and misses with impactful pitches.

Espino yielded one hit (which could have been called an error) walked one, and struck out one.

Espino’s poise made it seem he had been pitching regularly for years.

Espino has the stuff to start, or pitch late in games as a high-leverage reliever.