Seven D-backs Head to the Fall League
Known as the graduate school of the Minors, some of baseball's best have gone through the Arizona Fall League prior to starting their big league careers. Don't believe me? 19 former Most Valuable Players have competed in the league along with six Cy Young award winners. Heck, this season alone is
Known as the graduate school of the Minors, some of baseball's best have gone through the Arizona Fall League prior to starting their big league careers.
Don't believe me? 19 former Most Valuable Players have competed in the league along with six Cy Young award winners. Heck, this season alone is ripe with former Fall Leaguers competing for baseball's biggest awards.
Christian Yelich ('12), Cody Bellinger ('16), Anthony Rendon ('12) are all vying for the National League MVP nod while in the American League, Mike Trout ('11), appears to have run away with the award. Forty-three 2019 Major League All-Stars were Fall Leaguers and Rookie of the Year favorites Yordan Alvarez ('17) and Pete Alonso ('18) are alum as well.
What is this hidden gem? The Arizona Fall League is a six-week-long season operated out of four spring training facilities in the desert after the Minor League schedule has concluded. It gives players a chance to compete against the best players in the Minor Leagues and prove they are ready for the next step.
Reno Aces' infielder, Andy Young, used the Fall League to break out in a big way in 2018. In 20 games, he hit .301 with three home runs, 15 RBIs, and 13 runs scored to go with a .936 OPS. The performance shot Young up baseball's prospect rankings so high he was seen as a valuable piece to the Arizona Diamondbacks' 2018 trade that sent franchise player Paul Goldschmidt to the St. Louis Cardinals.
Young appears to be in the future plans for the D-backs as he hit .280 in 68 games this season with Triple-A Reno. He played every infield position but first base for the Aces and launched 21 home runs, drove in 53 runs, and scored 53 times.
This season, the D-backs are sending seven prospects to the Fall League with a few that you may see in Reno as early as 2020.
Seth Beer
Pos: OF Bats/Throws: L/R Ht: 6' 3" Wt: 195 Age: 22 Acquired: 2019 Trade (HOU) MLB Pipeline Rating: D-backs' No. 4, Overall No. 95
Seth Beer was brought to the organization in the 2019 trade deadline trade that saw Zack Greinke become a Houston Astro. Beer's name may catch peoples' attention, but his play on the field is really what we should be talking about. The lefty is the Diamondbacks' top prospect competing in the Fall League this season coming in as the organization's No. 4 player according to MLB Pipeline. 2019 was his first full season in professional baseball after being selected in the first round out of Clemson in 2018. With High-A Fayetteville, Double-A Corpus Christi, and Double-A Jackson this year he combined to hit .289 (130-for-450) with 26 home runs, 103 RBIs, 72 runs scored, and 24 doubles to go with a .516 slugging percentage. At just 22-years-old, Arizona could be patient as Beer still has some strikeout issues to work through but I'd expect to see the slugger in Reno at some in 2020 if he remains hot at the plate.
Matt Peacock
Pos: RHP Bats/Throws: R/R Ht: 6' 1" Wt: 180 Age: 25 Acquired: Round 23, (2017, ARI)
Matt Peacock battled injuries in 2018 splitting time between Single-A Kane County and High-A Visalia. He threw a combined 98.2 innings compiling a 7-6 record and 4.20 ERA. 2019 was a breakout year for the 25-year-old in Jackson. He was the ace of the staff throwing 115.1 innings while notching an 8-4 record and 2.97 ERA with 81 strikeouts. Starters Alex Young, Taylor Clarke, and Jon Duplantier all have Minor League options left so we may see them again in Reno next year, however, for the time being, they have graduated to the Major Leagues meaning the squad will be looking for starting pitching next year. Peacock throws a heavy sinker which will bode well in hitter-friendly Greater Nevada Field.
Miguel Aguilar
Pos: LHP Bats/Throws: L/L Ht: 5' 11" Wt: 180 Age: 27 Acquired: Free Agent 2017
Miguel Aguilar spent the first five seasons of his professional career playing in Mexico before signing with Arizona in 2016. The lefty reliever has been a stopper out of the bullpen since arriving in Visalia in 2017. He held hitters to a .197 batting average that season with a 1.19 ERA over 22.2 innings during his first season. In 2018, he threw 57.2 innings across High-A Visalia and Double-A Jackson with a very respectable 2.97 ERA and 65 strikeouts. This past season in Jackson, Aguilar posted a 2.12 ERA over 29.2 innings. He struck out 33 and held batters to a .208 average. With Jimmie Sherfy graduated to the big leagues and out of Minor League options, the Sonora, Mexico native is an early candidate to close games for the Aces next season.
Matt Brill
Pos: RHP Bats/Throws: R/R Ht: 6' 2" Wt: 190 Age: 24 Acquired: Round 12 (2017, ARI)
Drafted out of Appalachian State in the 12th round in 2017, Matt Brill has ascended quickly through the D-backs' Minor League system ending up in Double-A Jackson this season. A hard-throwing righty from Illinois, Brill is a reliever prospect. He's a strikeout threat anytime he takes the mound as he sat down 143 batters in 117.1 innings pitched over his Minor League career. At 24-years-old, he's a possibility to be promoted to Triple-A Reno next season.
Cody Reed
Pos: LHP Bats/Throws: R/L Ht: 6' 3" Wt: 245 Age: 23 Acquired: Round 2 (2014, ARI)
Cody Reed is using the Arizona Fall League to make up for lost time. He missed all of 2018 with an arm injury and threw just 13 innings in 2019 in Rookie Ball and Short Season Hillsboro. Measuring in at 6-foot-3 and 245 you'd expect Reed to clock in as a power pitcher. However, the 2014 second-rounder is a crafty lefty that uses a slider as his strikeout pitch. Until we see how he responds from injury, he is a tough case to predict. Reed has been quality while he's been healthy holding a 20-22 record with a 3.14 ERA while striking out 351 batters over 320.2 innings pitched in his Minor League career.
Geraldo Perdomo
Pos: SS Bats/Throws: S/R Ht: 6' 2" Wt: 184 Age:19 Acquired: Free Agent 2016 MLB Pipeline Rating: D-backs' No. 7
At just 19-years-old, Geraldo Perdomo appears to be a long way away from the upper levels of the Minors. However, he's got massive upside. MLB Pipeline says Perdomo is possibly the best defensive prospect in the D-backs' system.
"He's a tall and rangy shortstop who has the actions, hands and plus arm strength needed to remain at the position, and he's universally praised for his instincts and internal clock," MLB Pipeline said.
Perdomo may be recognized for his defense, but he is no offensive slouch. The 6-foot-3 switch-hitter hit .275 over 116 games for Class-A Kane County and High-A Visalia this year. The speedster stole 26 bags and got on-base at a .397 mark as well.
Jake McCarthy
Pos: OF Bats/Throws: L/L Ht: 6' 3" Wt: 195 Age: 22 Acquired: Round CBA (2018, ARI) MLB Pipeline Rating: D-backs' No. 28
Last but not least comes outfielder Jake McCarthy. The lefty is known for his advanced approach at the plate after spending three seasons at the University of Virginia. The former first-rounder battled some injuries in 2019 and appeared in just 53 games for High-A Visalia batting .277. Another speedster in the D-backs' system, McCarthy stole 18 bags in his limited time last season and profiles as an everyday centerfielder moving forward. Arizona's No. 28 prospect is definitely someone to keep an eye on in the coming years.
Minor League Baseball partners with TruGreen
FRANKLIN, Tenn. -- TruGreen, the nation's leading lawn care treatment provider, is proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Minor League Baseball that includes activations across all 120 clubs, a makeover of the home dugout in each market, sponsorship of select MiLB team grounds crews, and a new initiative called
Podcast explains why the Syracuse Mets are looking for Jim Morrison
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Dash im-prom-tu promo and Mets' Suero joins the podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Minor League Baseball partners with Circle K
Minor League Baseball announced a new national partnership with Circle K, which will see the convenience store giant become the “Official Convenience Store of Minor League Baseball.” During the 2025 season, the Circle K brand will be integrated into the MiLB in-stadium experience through in-game video board assets at most
These 15 moments led to season No. 15 of Minor League road trips
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
MiLB podcast crew makes Opening Day predictions
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Everything you need to know for Triple-A Opening Day
First, there was big league Opening Day. Now it's Triple-A's turn to take the spotlight. The Minor League season opens Friday when the Triple-A International League and Pacific Coast League seasons get underway for the first of MiLB’s two Opening Days. And right out of the gates, several of baseball's
Top prospects to watch at Triple-A -- one for each organization
It’s Triple-A’s turn up to bat on Friday. The regular season begins for the Minor Leagues’ highest level one day after the action starts on the Major League side. Fun fact: it’ll be the earliest start to a Minor League season since 1951 (March 27). Double-A, High-A and Single-A will
Here's where every Top 100 prospect is expected to start the season
The 2025 Opening Day prospect roster announcements began last week when the Cubs informed Matt Shaw (MLB No. 19) he was making the trip overseas to compete in the Tokyo Series. Roki Sasaki (No. 1) also received the good news, but his assignment was much less of a surprise. Now
Nationals prospect King joins MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Here are the 2025 All-Spring Breakout Teams
Fifteen games, several jersey swaps and countless highlights later, the second edition of Spring Breakout has officially concluded – and it lived up to its billing. Of the 16 contests sprinkled across four days, only one game (Dodgers vs. Cubs) was rained out. Coincidentally, the Cubs were one of two
Rox young sluggers aim to bring pop back to Coors Field
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Coors Field may provide the best run-scoring environment in Major League Baseball, but the Rockies haven’t taken advantage of it in recent years. Even without adjusting for Coors, they have fielded offenses worse than the league average the past three seasons, and they scored the fewest runs
Astros brass sees potential in consistently 'underranked' farm system
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The last time the Astros landed in the top 10 of MLB Pipeline’s farm system rankings was before the 2019 season. Since those rankings expanded to all 30 teams ahead of the 2020 season -- 11 lists in total -- they’ve never ranked higher than
Complete results and highlights from Spring Breakout
The second edition of MLB Spring Breakout is complete, and there was no shortage of highlights from the future stars of Major League Baseball over the four-day showcase. Here's a complete breakdown of the 16-game exhibition:
Southpaw Spring Breakout: White Sox future on display with Schultz, Smith
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- If all goes as planned for the White Sox, left-handers Hagen Smith and Noah Schultz won’t spend much time following each other to the mound in a single game. Schultz, the No. 1 White Sox prospect and No. 16 overall, per MLB Pipeline, and Smith, who is
In first pro game, Rainer offers pop, promise to Tigers fans
NORTH PORT, Fla. -- Bryce Rainer’s pro career consisted of workouts and batting practice until Sunday.
'Me and Brady on the dirt again': House, King reunite at Spring Breakout
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The 2025 Spring Breakout was a flashback for Brady House and Seaver King. Over 10 years ago, the infielders were travel ball teammates in Georgia who shared the dream of making it to the Major Leagues. Now, they are top prospects in the same organization,
Lambert -- 'an adrenaline guy' -- hoping to be next Mets bullpen gem
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Ryan Lambert loves throwing hard. He relishes the idea of getting to two strikes and blowing hitters away. “Get me in a game,” Lambert said, “cool things will happen.”
Stewart embraces Spring Breakout: 'What's not to love?'
PHOENIX -- Sal Stewart was one fired-up Reds prospect. On Sunday in the first inning during the organization's 9-7 Spring Breakout win over Brewers prospects, Stewart lifted a 2-2 pitch that sailed over the center fielder's head to the wall. Already not known as a speedster, he stumbled running between
Prospect Peña quietly drawing raves in Brewers' farm system
PHOENIX – Jesús Made was at the top of the Brewers’ lineup for Sunday’s 9-7 loss to the Reds in the finale of MLB’s four-day Spring Breakout, a fitting perch when you consider that the 17-year-old infielder is under a bright spotlight as MLB Pipeline’s No. 55 prospect. Made could
Brecht -- in 1st outing since '24 Draft -- wows at Spring Breakout
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Sunday's Spring Breakout showcase was the perfect unveiling for Rockies No. 5 prospect Brody Brecht. A right-handed pitcher from the University of Iowa whom the Rockies selected 38th overall last summer, Brecht had a nice collegiate resume, an interesting backstory as a former wide receiver for the
Braves prospects show promise in Spring Breakout
NORTH PORT, Fla. -- As Terry Pendleton prepared to serve as the manager of the Braves prospect team that played the Tigers prospect team in a Spring Breakout game on Sunday afternoon, he said fans should be patient with John Gil and Luis Guanipa, a pair of teenagers who have
Yanks' Lagrange flashes triple-digit heat in Spring Breakout
SARASOTA, Fla. -- There was an audible “Ooh” from the crowd at Ed Smith Stadium, and Carlos Lagrange quickly glanced beyond the right-field wall, checking the velocity of the pitch he’d just thrown in Saturday’s 5-4 Spring Breakout loss to the Orioles. It had registered in the triple digits, and
Bradfield dedicates Spring Breakout performance to late friend
SARASOTA, Fla. -- It was about more than playing in the national spotlight. More than the dinner bet placed with an old college teammate earlier in the month. More than a game. As Enrique Bradfield Jr. slid home to score a run during the first inning of Saturday night’s Spring