Next generation of MLB stars: Arizona Fall League releases 2026 rosters

By Mark Carlisle
Mail | X: @mwcarlisle

You may not know their names, but you will.

The next generation of MLB stars will be on display in the Valley this fall in the Arizona Fall League, which released its rosters on Tuesday.

Talent from the Arizona Fall League can make a splash in the big leagues fast.

In 2024, Valley baseball fans could watch Athletics prospect Nick Kurtz and Braves prospect Drake Baldwin raking in the Fall League, then watch both burst onto the MLB scene the following year to win the 2025 Rookie of the Year award for their respective leagues.

Tigers prospect Kevin McGonigle won the Fall League MVP in 2025 and is now the overwhelming favorite to win American League Rookie of the Year this season.

Tigers infielder Kevin McGonigle throws to first while playing for the Scottsdale Scorpions in 2025. McGonigle won the 2025 Arizona Fall League MVP and this season was an MLB All-Star and is now the front-runner for American League Rookie of the Year.

(Courtesy Arizona Fall League)

There is good company on the list of players that went straight from a season in the Arizona Fall League to win Rookie of the Year the following season. It includes names like Albert Pujols, Mike Trout, Bryce Harper, Mike Piazza, Buster Posey, Ronald Acuna, Pete Alonso, Ryan Howard, Ryan Braun, Evan Longoria and Cody Bellinger.

There’s also a long list of former Arizona Fall League stars, like Aaron Judge, Derek Jeter, and Corey Seager, who didn’t immediately burst onto the scene but won Rookie of the Year a year or more after playing in the Fall League.

It likely won’t be long until some of the 2026 Arizona Fall League stars are moving from the local spring training stadiums to our TV screens to the MLB record books.

This year’s top prospects

There are 12 players from the MLB Pipeline Top 100 Prospects list on Fall League rosters this year.

The Glendale Desert Dogs are the most stacked lineup as far as that list goes, with four Top 100 prospects, including the top-ranked prospect in the Fall League this year, Dodgers outfielder Eduardo Quintero.

Dodgers prospect Eduardo Quintero is the top-ranked prospect in the Arizona Fall League this year.

(Courtesy Arizona Fall League)

The Scottsdale Scorpions and Salt River Rafters each have three Top 100 prospects, though Scottsdale’s are much higher ranked. Salt River includes Diamondbacks top prospect, second baseman Demetrio Crisantes.

The Mesa Solar Sox and Peoria Javelinas have one Top 100 prospect apiece, with Peoria’s barely making the list at 99. The Surprise Saguaros, who have won three of the last four Fall League championships, are the only team with no prospects on the Top 100 list.

The Arizona Fall League is a pretty offense-heavy league. Teams are careful not to overwork their top pitchers. When a star pitcher does make an appearance in the league, it is usually because he missed time due to an injury and his team wants him to get a chance to throw more innings now that he’s healthy.

That is the case for the only pitcher among the 12 players on the Top 100 Prospects list. Nationals prospect Jarlin Susana, playing for Salt River, missed most of the minor league season recovering from a surgery to repair a torn lat muscle. He has pitched just 17 2/3 innings this year.

Sometimes the Fall League can be a chance for position player to get more experience at a new position in the field. That seems to be the case for Glendale’s 86th-ranked prospect Charles Davalan. The Dodgers prospect played second base in his first year in college but has played exclusively outfield since, in both college and the minor leagues. However, Davalan is listed as an infielder on the Desert Dogs roster.

Rays prospect Nathan Flewelling watches a home run he hit during the MLB Futures Game on July 12 in Philadelphia. Flewelling was the MVP of the game.

(Courtesy Arizona Fall League)

Twelve Top 100 prospects

19. Eduardo Quintero, OF, Dodgers (Glendale)
27. Zyhir Hope, OF, Tigers (Scottsdale)
29. Caleb Bonemer, OF, White Sox (Glendale)
37. Arjun Nimmala, SS, Angels (Mesa)
47. Bryce Rainer, SS, Tigers (Scottsdale)
59. Tate Southisene, SS, Braves (Glendale)
64. Nathan Flewelling, C, Rays (Scottsdale)
67. Jarlin Susana, RHP, Nationals (Salt River)
74. Demetrio Crisantes, 2B, Diamondbacks (Salt River)
85. Dax Kilby, SS, Yankees (Salt River)
86. Charles Davalan, OF/INF, Dodgers (Glendale)
99. Ike Irish, OF/1B, Orioles (Peoria)

Tigers prospect Zyhir Hope was the key piece Detroit acquired in sending two-time reigning AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal to the Dodgers.

(Courtesy Arizona Fall League)

Where do I know that name?

MLB fans may recognize one name on the list of Arizona Fall League Top 100 talents this year. Tigers outfield prospect Zyhir Hope, playing for Scottsdale, was the key piece Detroit acquired in sending two-time reigning AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal to the Dodgers. Hope also played in the Fall League in 2024 for Glendale, representing the Dodgers.

Root, root, root for the home team

The Diamondbacks are sending eight prospects to the Arizona Fall League, five of them pitchers.

The only players among the D-backs top 30 prospects, according to MLB Pipeline, are second baseman Demetrio Crisantes (No. 1) and pitcher Patrick Forbes (No. 11).

Crisantes is a local product. He was born in Tucson and went to high school in Nogales. He was the D-backs seventh-round draft pick in 2022. The right-hander, who turned 22 earlier this month, has shot up the minor league ranks this year, rising from Rookie to High-A to Double-A to Triple-A in one season. Overall, he is hitting .293 with an .854 OPS this season.

Forbes is the team’s first-round pick from the 2025 draft out of the University of Louisville. The Bowling Green, Kentucky, native was a two-way player during his first year of college but decided to become a full-time pitcher beginning in his sophomore year. The 22-year-old has missed much of the season with injury, throwing just 29 2/3 innings with a 2.73 ERA, mostly with the High-A Hillsboro Hops.

Joe Ariola is a left-handed pitcher out of the Wake Forest University. He was a seventh-round pick in 2025. The 22-year-old has risen from Rookie to Double-A ball this year, pitching 34 2/3 innings with a 1.56 ERA.

Luke Craig is another former seventh-round southpaw, selected by the D-backs in 2024 out of University of North Carolina at Wilmington. The 25-year-old has thrown just 17 2/3 innings this year with a 5.09 ERA, mostly in High-A.

Connor Foley was the team’s fifth-round pick in 2024 out of Indiana University Bloomington. The 6-foot-5 right-hander has pitched 26 innings this year with a 6.92 ERA, mostly with the Low-A Visalia Rawhide. He is 23.

Nathan Hall was the Snakes fifth-round pick in 2025. He had played at Clemson University for two seasons before transferring to the University of South Carolina for his final season. The outfielder, who turns 23 on Thursday, is hitting .357 with a 1.029 OPS in just 11 games at High-A.

Yassel Soler is a 20-year-old from the Dominican Republic. The right-handed-hitting third baseman is hitting .261 with a .737 OPS in High-A this year.

John West was a 12th-round pick in 2024 out of Boston College. The 6-foot-8 right-handed pitcher will turn 25 early in the Fall League season. The Massachusetts native is not an example of a pitcher with a shortened season. He has thrown 100 1/3 innings with a 4.75 ERA, mostly in High-A with some time in Double-A.

Full rosters

Each Arizona Fall League team fields prospects from five different MLB teams. This year, the alignments are:

Salt River Rafters: Diamondbacks, Nationals, Rockies, Twins, Yankees

Peoria Javelinas: Cardinals, Mariners, Orioles, Padres, Reds

Glendale Desert Dogs: Braves, Dodgers, Marlins, Pirates, White Sox

Surprise Saguaros: Guardians, Mets, Phillies, Rangers, Royals

Mesa Solar Sox: Angels, Athletics, Blue Jays, Cubs, Red Sox

Scottsdale Scorpions: Astros, Brewers, Giants, Rays, Tigers

Salt River Rafters

Diamondbacks

Demetrio Crisantes, 2B (No. 1/MLB No. 75); Patrick Forbes, RHP (No. 11); Joe Ariola, LHP; Luke Craig, LHP; Connor Foley, RHP; Nathan Hall, OF; Yassel Soler, 3B; John West, RHP.

Nationals

Jarlin Susana, RHP (No. 3/MLB No. 67); Teo Banks, OF; Noah Dean, LHP; Nolan Hughes, LHP; Jorgelys Mota, OF/3B; R.J. Sales, RHP.

Rockies

Jared Thomas, OF (No. 10); Andy Perez, SS/3B (No. 15); Konner Eaton, LHP (No. 17); Sean Sullivan, LHP (No. 20); Hunter Mann, RHP; Jack O’Dowd, C; Stu Flesland III, LHP.

Twins

Yasser Mercedes, OF (No. 17), Kyle DeBarge, 2B/SS; Ross Dunn, LHP; Cesar Lares, LHP; Cleiber Maldonado, LHP; Jake Murray, LHP; Jacob McCombs, OF; Brian Zeldin, RHP.

Yankees

Dax Kilby, SS (No. 2/MLB No. 85); Core Jackson, SS (No. 12); Mack Estrada, RHP; J.T. Etheridge, RHP; Chris Veach, RHP; Kyle West, 1B.

Peoria Javelinas

Mariners

Boston Smith, C/OF (No. 13); Ty Cummings, RHP; Reid Easterly, LHP; Brandon Eike, 1B/3B; Matthew Ellis, C/1B; Jose Geraldo, RHP; Calvin Schapira, LHP; Adam Smith, RHP.

Padres

Ty Harvey, C (No. 4); Kannon Kemp, RHP (No. 13); Winyer Chourio, RHP (No. 15); Alex McCoy, OF (No. 26); Justin DeCriscio, INF; Igor Gil, LHP; Francis Peña, RHP; Jordan Valenzuela, RHP.

Cardinals

Brandon Clarke, LHP (No. 9); Tekoah Roby, RHP (No. 14); Tai Peete, OF (No. 17); Nate Dohm, RHP; Frank Elissalt, RHP; Sammy Hernandez, C/1B; Cade McGee, INF; Michael Watson, LHP.

Orioles

Ike Irish, OF/1B (No. 5/MLB No. 99); Braxton Bragg, RHP; Brandon Butterworth, INF/OF; Kailen Hamson, LHP; Vance Honeycutt, OF; Kiefer Lord, RHP; Patrick Reilly, RHP; Teddy Sharkey, RHP.

Reds

Carlos Sanchez, 3B/SS/OF (No. 15); Jay Allen II, OF (No. 22); Carter Graham, 1B (No. 23); Luke Holman, RHP (No. 24); Cody Adcock, RHP; Victor Diaz, RHP; Trent Hodgdon, RHP; Jose Montero, RHP.

Glendale Desert Dogs

Dodgers

Eduardo Quintero, OF (No. 3/MLB No. 19); Charles Davalan, OF (No. 6/MLB No. 86); Chase Harlan, 3B (No. 9); Marlon Nieves, RHP (No. 27); Brooks Auger, RHP (No. 29); Anson Aroz, C; Luke Fox, LHP; Sam Horn, RHP; Cody Morse, LHP.

White Sox

Caleb Bonemer, 3B/SS/OF (No. 2/MLB No. 29); Mathis LaCombe, RHP (No. 18); Pierce George, RHP (No. 19); Anthony DePino, 1B (No. 22); Colby Shelton, INF (No. 24); Nick Altermatt, RHP; Jonathan Clark, RHP; Grant Magill, C; Garrett Wright, RHP.

Braves

Tate Southisene, SS/2B (No. 3/MLB No. 59); Briggs McKenzie, LHP (No. 8); Owen Carey, OF (No. 21); Isaiah Drake, OF (No. 29); Tanner Bauman, LHP; Owen Hackman, RHP; Tyle LaPorte, RHP; Logan Samuels, RHP.

Marlins

Dillon Lewis, OF (No. 11); Max Williams, OF (No. 27); Samuel Carpio, RHP; Carter Johnson, INF; Brayan Mendoza, LHP; Emmett Olson, LHP; Tristan Stevens, RHP; Alex Williams, RHP.

Pirates

Wyatt Sanford, SS (No. 5); Easton Carmichael, C (No. 8); Jhonny Severino, 3B/OF (No. 28); Brandon Cain, RHP; Cameron Keshock, RHP; Zander Mueth, RHP; Cristhian Tortosa, LHP; Michael Walsh, RHP.

Surprise Saguaros

Rangers

Jacob Johnson, RHP (No. 17); Paxton Kling, OF (No. 20); Mason McConnaughey (No. 30); Julian Brock, C; Alejandro Chiquillo, RHP; Casey Cook, 2B; J'Briell Easley, RHP; Jesus Gamez, RHP.

Royals

Zion Rose, OF (No. 6); Justin Lamkin, LHP (No. 8); Steven Zobac, RHP (No. 14); Brooks Bryan, C; Austin Charles, SS/3B; Josh Hansell, RHP; Frank Mozzicato, LHP; Hiro Wyatt, RHP.

Guardians

Luke Hill, 3B/2B (No. 17); Welbyn Francisca, SS/2B (No. 21); Aaron Davenport; RHP; Magnus Ellerts, RHP; Aidan Major, RHP; Cam Schuelke, RHP; Kyle Scott, RHP; Tyreese Turner, 2B/3B.

Mets

Cole Mathis, 1B/3B (No. 13); Bruin Agbayani, SS (No. 29); Boston Baro, INF; Irving Cota, RHP; Brendan Girton, RHP; Ryan Lambert, RHP; Peyton Prescott, RHP; Calvin Ziegler, RHP.

Phillies

Aroon Escobar, 2B/3B (No. 6); Dante Nori, OF (No. 7); Keegan Batka, RHP; Luke Davis, C; Ryan Dromboski, RHP; Kehden Hettiger, C; Estibenzon Jimenez, RHP; Jose Pena, RHP; Kevin Warunek, LHP.

Scottsdale Scorpions

Giants

Dakota Jordan, OF (No. 7); Miguel Mendez, RHP (No. 16); Kaeden Kent, SS/2B (No. 20); Alexander Fuentes, RHP (No. 26); Drake George, RHP; Randy Rodriguez, RHP; Darien Smith, RHP; Dalton Wentz, 3B/2B.

Astros

Juan Bello, RHP; Joey Dixon, RHP; Francisco Frias, RHP; Waner Luciano, 3B; Nick Monistere, 2B/SS; Nehomar Ochoa, OF; Railin Perez, RHP; Jank Pichardo, RHP.

Brewers

Braylon Payne, OF (No. 6); Eric Bitonti, 1B/3B (No. 26); Ryan Birchard, RHP; Miqueas Mercedes, RHP; Jose Meneses, LHP; Josh Quezada, RHP; Matt Wood, C.

Rays

Nathan Flewelling, C (No. 4/MLB No. 64); Brendan Summerhill, OF (No. 28); Cesar DeJesus, LHP; Marcus Johnson, RHP; Mason Nichols, RHP; Narciso Polanco, SS/3B; Andy Rodriguez, RHP; Yereny Teus, LHP.

Tigers

Zyhir Hope, OF (No. 1/MLB No. 27); Bryce Rainer, SS (No. 2/MLB No. 47); Logan Berrier, RHP; Jalen Evans, RHP, Preston Howey, RHP; Maddox Long, RHP; Win Scott, LHP.

Mesa Solar Sox

Cubs

Myles Bailey, 1B (No. 8); Juan Cabada, 2B (No. 12); Dominick Reid, RHP (No. 28); Jhon Cabral, RHP; Anhuar Garcia, RHP; Yoendris Gonzalez, RHP; Jake Knapp, RHP; Kade Snell, OF; Miguel Useche, C/1B/OF (Salt River).

Athletics

Breyson Guedez, OF (No. 9); Davis Diaz, C/3B/1B (No. 19); Cole Conn, C/OF (No. 21); Kenya Huggins, RHP (No. 23); Jay Dill, RHP; Jared Johnson, RHP; Tucker Novotny, LHP; Grant Richardson, LHP.

Angels

Arjun Nimmala, SS (No. 1/MLB No. 37); Jake Munroe, 3B (No. 20); Peyton Olejnik, RHP; Kyle Robinson, RHP; Sam Tookoian, RHP; Yeferson Vargas, RHP; Najer Victor, RHP; Ryland Zaborowski, 1B.

Blue Jays

Jake Bloss, RHP (No. 12); Jake Cook, OF (No. 22); Jake Casey, OF (No. 25); Brandon Barriera, LHP; Gilberto Batista, RHP; Aaron Parker, C; Fernando Perez, RHP; Yondrei Rojas, RHP.

Red Sox

Mason White, 2B/SS (No. 26); Antonio Anderson, 3B/1B; Harry Blum, RHP; Madinson Frias, RHP; Nicholas Judice, RHP; Trennor O'Donnell, RHP; Caden Vire, LHP; Nazzan Zanetello, 2B.

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Mark Carlisle
Associate Editor | Phoenix

mcarlisle@iniusa.org

Meet Mark

Mark Carlisle joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2017, covering Glendale. He has since moved to the Daily Independent team, primarily covering the city of Phoenix along with other topics affecting the Valley at-large.

Community: Mark enjoys taking his two young sons to parks, the Phoenix Zoo, the Phoenix Public Library  and other fun events around the Valley. He also participates in a local book club.

Education: Chapman University with a BA in English Journalism and one in Screenwriting.

Random Fact: Mark worked at a tuxedo shop in college. Just don’t ask him to tie a bowtie.

 Hobbies: Spending time with his wife, sons and dog, watching sports and TV shows, listening to audiobooks and occasionally writing fiction or designing a board game.