Here’s the top prospect going to the Arizona Fall League from every team
As always, the Arizona Fall League is loaded with talent. The developmental circuit, which starts its six-week season on Monday, has sent more than 3,000 players to the big leagues, including Hall of Famers Roy Halladay, Todd Helton, Derek Jeter and Mike Piazza and current stars including Mookie Betts, Bryce Harper, Aaron Judge and Francisco Lindor.
Fourteen members of MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 Prospects list will play in Arizona this fall, headlined by Royals first baseman Jac Caglianone (No. 15), Padres catcher Ethan Salas (No. 17) and Rays first baseman Xavier Isaac (No. 18). In addition, White Sox shortstop Colson Montgomery (No. 25) and Guardians outfielder Chase DeLauter (No. 39) return to the desert after ranking as the Fall League’s two best prospects a year ago.
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Blue Jays: Kendry Rojas, LHP (No. 11)
It’s been a rough year for Toronto pitching prospects, particularly when it comes to injuries to hurlers like Ricky Tiedemann, Brandon Barriera and Landen Maroudis. Rojas was not immune after shoulder issues limited him to 62⅔ innings, primarily with High-A Vancouver, where he looked dominant with a 2.43 ERA and 61 strikeouts in 55⅔ frames. The 21-year-old southpaw can show two above-average pitches in his fastball and slider that could lead to promising Fall League results on top of the needed workload.
Orioles: Creed Willems, C/1B (No. 22)
It looked like Willems was headed to Texas Christian as a talented two-way player when the Orioles changed his plan by taking him in the eighth round of the 2021 Draft and going over slot to sign him for $1 million. He’s a left-handed-hitting catcher with some pop, and he’s swatted 17 homers in consecutive seasons, reaching Double-A for the first time in 2024 while cutting his K rate compared to the year prior. He has arm strength, but has work to do on his overall receiving.
Rays: Xavier Isaac, 1B (No. 2/MLB No. 18)
A surprise pick at 29th overall in 2022, Isaac has made the Rays look smart in his first two full seasons by climbing to Double-A before his 21st birthday. His raw power will arguably be the best in the entire Fall League — right there with Jac Caglianone’s — and the dry desert air could lead to some impressive slugging numbers. Watch out for Isaac’s contact rate — he struck out 40.6 percent of the time during a 31-game Double-A run — and his glovework with Tampa Bay indicates he should get some time in the outfield as well as his typical first base.
