Breaking down the Fall Stars Game participants by organization

The Arizona Fall League’s annual Fall Stars Game, a showcase for the sport’s brightest prospects, will be played tonight at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale. The event, created in 2006 to highlight the league’s top talent, has previously featured future major league stars like Ronald Acuña Jr., Pete Alonso, Mookie Betts, Bryce Harper, Aaron Judge, Francisco Lindor, Andrew McCutchen, Buster Posey, Julio Rodríguez, Max Scherzer, Corey Seager and Mike Trout. This year’s game promises another compelling display of up-and-coming players from across professional baseball’s pipeline.

The game, which begins at 8 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. local, will be broadcast on MLB Network and streamed on MLB.com and the MLB app. Play-by-play will be handled by Paul Severino, with analysis provided by former Rockies general manager Dan O’Dowd and MLB Pipeline’s Jim Callis. This year's roster includes Kevin McGonigle and three players from the White Sox who keyed a shocking playoff run this season: Sam Antonacci, Braden Montgomery, and Hagen Smith.

The Arizona Fall League serves as a vital platform for young players to refine their skills and gain valuable experience against elite competition. The league’s history is rich with success stories, and the Fall Stars Game provides a high-profile opportunity for these prospects to further demonstrate their potential. The league offers a unique environment where players can focus on development without the pressures of a regular season, fostering growth and preparing them for the challenges of Major League Baseball. More information about the Arizona Fall League can be found on MLB.com.

Of the 13 Top 100 prospects currently on AFL rosters, ten will participate in tonight’s Fall Stars Game. These include right-hander Jarlin Susana of the Washington Nationals; catcher Nathan Flewelling of the Tampa Bay Rays; second baseman Demetrio Crisantes of the Arizona Diamondbacks; third baseman Aidan Miller of the Philadelphia Phillies; shortstops Dax Kilby of the New York Yankees and Arjun Nimmala of the Los Angeles Angels; Tate Southisene of the Atlanta Braves, Sebastian Walcott of the Texas Rangers; and outfielders Angeibel Gomez of the Kansas City Royals and Ike Irish of the Baltimore Orioles.

Player Profiles

The Fall Stars Game roster is comprised of players representing all major league teams. Each player brings a unique set of skills and experiences to the showcase. Jake Bloss, a right-handed pitcher for the Blue Jays, has faced injury setbacks but aims to regain his form in the AFL. He has dealt with multiple injuries in the Blue Jays' system since his time in The Show with the Astros, most notably last year’s right elbow surgery and this year’s right teres major strain. In the AFL to make up for lost time, he has sat 93-96 mph with a pair of fastballs and shown a full complement of secondaries including a sweeper, slider, curveball and changeup, though results have been mixed (10 ER, 11 K's, 2 BB in 10 2/3 innings). Jake Cook, also of the Blue Jays, is known primarily for his speed, as he’s shown throughout the fall with several Sprint Speeds above 30 ft/sec and 10 steals in 12 attempts over 14 games for Mesa. After missing time early in his first full season due to a hamstring injury, he has a .328/.381/.362 line with a pair of doubles in AFL play.

Aaron Parker, a catcher for Toronto, has demonstrated power hitting capabilities. The UC Santa Barbara product broke out in the power department with 19 homers over 87 games for Double-A New Hampshire in his second full season over the summer, and he has continued producing this autumn with a .351 average and a .479 on-base percentage over 48 plate appearances while mixing in work in left field. Orioles’ participants include Ike Irish, an outfielder who is recovering from a meniscus tear, and Patrick Reilly, a right-handed pitcher with a strong arm. Reilly ranked as high as No. 10 on the Orioles’ Top 30 in the past. He had Tommy John surgery after three starts in 2025, making it back to throw 53 innings in 2026. The pure stuff is very much still there, with a fastball up to 98 mph and a slider that has elicited a 43-percent miss rate this fall.

Nathan Flewelling, a catcher for the Rays, has shown significant growth in his development. The pride of Red Deer, Alberta, grew in prospect stature by clubbing 21 homers and finishing with a 112 wRC+ over 106 games at High-A Bowling Green in his age-19 season in 2026, but he hasn’t stopped there with more work with Scottsdale this fall. He’s gone 20-for-72 (.278) with two doubles in 19 games (14 of which have been behind the plate) for the Solar Sox. Marcus Johnson, also of the Rays, focuses on control and command on the mound. The 25-year-old has very much been control-over-stuff as a pro with a career 4.4 percent walk rate in the Minors between the Marlins' and Rays' systems. He’s worked primarily with a 90-92 mph sinker and 87-89 mph cutter in the Fall League (where he has a 7.45 ERA and 19 strikeouts in 19 ⅓ innings) while also folding in a slider, four-seamer and curveball.

Antonio Anderson, a first baseman/third baseman for the Red Sox, is a switch-hitter with notable offensive potential. Signed for a well over-slot $1.5 million as a 2023 third-rounder from a Georgia high school, he ranks third in the AFL in OPS (1.123) while slashing .361/.500/.623 with three homers and 17 walks in 16 games. Dax Kilby, a shortstop for the Yankees, is recognized for his hitting ability and power. A 2025 supplemental first-rounder, Kilby is one of the best pure hitters in the Fall League, makes advanced swing decisions and possesses plus raw power and speed. After missing much of the Minor League season with a hamstring injury, the Georgia prep product is batting .295/.357/.623 with 12 extra-base hits and five steals in 15 games.

Kyle West, also a Yankee, is known for his aggressive approach and power hitting. West's aggressive approach yields top-tier exit velocity, plenty of power but also swings and misses. The 13th-rounder in 2025 from West Virginia is hitting .257/.316/.543 with a league-best six homers and 23 strikeouts in 21 games. Luke Hill, a second baseman for the Guardians, demonstrates discipline at the plate. Hill established himself as one of the most disciplined hitters in the Southeastern Conference while at Mississippi, which got him drafted in the fourth round in 2025. He showed increased power in his first full pro season and is hitting .333/.420/.548 with two homers in 11 games.

Welbyn Francisca, a shortstop for the Guardians, has emerged as a breakout performer in the AFL. Signed for $1,375,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2023, he has the hitting ability, pop and speed to become a 20-20 player and potentially could stick at shortstop. He is slashing .409/.467/.667 with three homers and five steals in 14 games, and he leads the league in batting, hits (27) and RBI (24). Angeibel Gomez, an outfielder for the Royals, is making history as one of the youngest players ever to participate in the league. As the second-youngest player ever to appear in the AFL, the 17-year-old outfielder has held his own nicely in the jump from the Dominican Summer League with a .306/.390/.444 line over 10 games for Surprise. Gomez has true five-tool potential and has seen time at all three outfield spots this fall, though the bulk of his time has come in right.

Zion Rose, also of the Royals, is recovering from injuries and showcasing his offensive skills. Rose may have been a surprise in the industry as the sixth overall pick this year, but he’s fit right in offensively among the AFL’s top prospects this fall with a .327/.493/.519 line, two homers, two triples, 14 walks and 12 steals in 13 games. The outfielder is in the AFL in the first place to help make for lost at-bats from the spring when he dealt with ankle and hamstring injuries at Louisville. Justin Lamkin, a LHP for the Royals, looked well on his way to a breakout this season with a 2.04 ERA and 53 strikeouts in 39 2/3 innings at High-A and Double-A before a left shoulder injury ended his regular season in late May. Back and healthy, he’s still building up velocity in the AFL but has been exceptional at getting ahead of hitters early with his fastball while showing two good breakers in his curveball (a relatively new pitch).

Community Impact

The Arizona Fall League and its Fall Stars Game have a positive impact on the Rochester community and beyond. The league provides opportunities for young players to develop their skills and pursue their dreams of playing in Major League Baseball, offering inspiration to aspiring athletes. The Fall Stars Game itself draws fans and media attention, boosting the local economy and showcasing the region's commitment to baseball. The presence of these future stars underscores the enduring appeal of America's pastime and its ability to unite communities.

For families in Rochester, the Fall Stars Game represents a chance to witness the next generation of baseball talent. Many young players look up to these prospects, aspiring to follow in their footsteps. The game serves as a reminder of the importance of hard work, dedication, and perseverance in achieving one's goals – values that resonate deeply within our community’s traditional emphasis on strong families and personal responsibility. The success of these players reflects the broader American dream: the opportunity for anyone, regardless of background, to achieve greatness through effort and determination.

What's Next

The Fall Stars Game is a crucial stepping stone for these prospects. The game will be broadcast on MLB Network, ensuring that fans across the country can witness the talent on display. For players like Ike Irish and Dax Kilby, who are among the top prospects in the league, this game could be a turning point in their careers. Their performances could attract the attention of scouts and team officials, potentially leading to a promotion to higher levels of play.

The game also serves as a reminder of the broader impact on the Rochester community. As these players continue to develop, they bring hope and inspiration to local youth, encouraging them to pursue their dreams in baseball and beyond. The support from the community is crucial in nurturing these talents and ensuring their success. Following tonight’s Fall Stars Game, the Arizona Fall League season will continue with regular season games and the championship game. The league’s success in developing future major league talent is a testament to its unique format and the dedication of its staff and players. The players participating in the Fall Stars Game will continue to hone their skills and prepare for their next steps in their professional careers, with many expected to make significant contributions to their respective major league teams in the coming years. Fans can stay updated on the AFL’s progress through MLB.com and the MLB app.

Katherine's Take

Watching these young players compete in the Fall Stars Game always brings a sense of hope and anticipation. It’s a privilege to witness the potential that lies within these athletes, and it’s easy to imagine them one day representing their teams in the World Series. Beyond the excitement of the game itself, I’m struck by the importance of mentorship and development that the Arizona Fall League provides. These young men are not just honing their baseball skills; they're learning valuable life lessons about teamwork, perseverance, and humility—qualities essential for success both on and off the field.

The stories behind these players – the injuries overcome, the challenges faced, the sacrifices made – are a testament to their dedication and resilience. It’s a powerful reminder that success isn’t simply about talent; it’s about character and commitment. As a community, we can draw inspiration from these young men and their unwavering pursuit of excellence, reinforcing the values of hard work and integrity that are so vital to our society. The stability and support of strong families undoubtedly play a role in shaping these young men into the athletes and individuals they are becoming.

The question that remains is: how can we, as a community, better support the development of young athletes in Rochester? Perhaps through increased investment in youth sports programs, mentorship opportunities, and a renewed emphasis on character development. It’s an investment not just in our future baseball stars, but in the future of our community as a whole. We must continue to champion the values of faith, family, and hard work that underpin the American dream.

Resources

For those interested in learning more about the Arizona Fall League and its players, several resources are available. The official MLB.com page provides comprehensive coverage of the league, including schedules, rosters, and statistics. Fans can also follow the AFL on social media for updates and highlights. The Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce offers information about the economic impact of the AFL on the local community. The Twins organization also provides regular updates and news for fans. You can sign up for their email list to receive the latest information directly to your inbox: Twins News.

The Arizona Fall League represents a unique opportunity to witness the future of baseball and celebrate the dedication and talent of these young players. It’s a testament to the enduring power of sport to inspire and unite communities.

Closing paragraph: The Arizona Fall League’s Fall Stars Game serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring appeal of baseball and the potential for greatness within each individual. As these young players continue their journey toward the major leagues, we can all take pride in witnessing their development and celebrating their accomplishments. The values of hard work, dedication, and perseverance that these athletes embody are qualities that we should all strive to emulate in our own lives, strengthening families and building a stronger Rochester for generations to come.