Commonly referred to as “baseball’s finishing school,” the Arizona Fall League will begin its 32nd season on Monday night when the Scottsdale Scorpions host the Peoria Javelinas. The six-team league runs through mid-November, giving some of the game’s top prospects a chance at additional development while others make up for reps missed due to injuries.
Each MLB club sends seven players to Arizona to make up the six teams. 13 players listed in MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 prospect rankings will participate this season.
Detroit selected McGonigle in the first round of the 2023 draft. The 21-year-old has looked at times like one of the most complete hitters in the minor leagues this season, showcasing an exceptional ability to make contact at the plate.
McGonigle slashed .305/.408/.583 with 31 doubles, 19 home runs and 80 RBI over 397 PA across three levels, topping out at Double-A. He struck out just 46 times. He finished second in Minor League Hitting Prospect of the Year voting to Pittsburgh’s Konnor Griffin.
Detroit could bring McGonigle and fellow top prospect Max Clark to spring training with the expectation that he will win a spot on their Opening Day roster. McGonigle is primarily playing shortstop now, but some scouts believe he’ll eventually slide over to second base.
Sebastian Walcott | SS/3B | Texas Rangers
An international amateur free agent signing out of the Bahamas in January 2023, Walcott is among the youngest top prospects in the sport. He spent the past season at Double-A at just 19 years of age, nearly five years younger than his average competition.
Still, that didn’t slow the lanky prospect. Walcott hit .255/.355/.386 with 19 doubles, 13 homers and 32 stolen bases over 552 PA.
Like McGonigle, Walcott has primarily played shortstop so far, but some feel he will outgrow the position, necessitating a move to either third base or the outfield.
Cleveland selected DeLauter with the 16th pick in the 2022 draft. He has the unique distinction of being just the sixth player to make their MLB debut in the postseason.