Here’s a look at Monday’s top performers in the Arizona Fall League from each team’s Top 30 Prospects list.
D-backs: Jordan Lawlar, SS (MLB No. 12), Salt River Rafters
Lawlar expects to give fans in his future home state something to get excited about this fall, and he began doing that by homering as part of a three-RBI day in his AFL debut. Lawlar also singled, stole two bases and scored three runs, showing off the well-rounded skillset that made him the sixth overall pick in the 2021 Draft. The 20-year-old climbed three levels during the regular season, from Single-A to Double-A, hitting .303/.401/.509 with 16 homers and 39 steals across 100 games overall. More »
Orioles: Heston Kjerstad, OF (No. 9), Scottsdale Scorpions
Kjerstad looked every bit the No. 2 overall pick he was in 2020 when he finally made his pro debut this year, after sitting out all of 2021 dealing with myocarditis. And he carried that production into his AFL debut, crushing a projected 424-foot home run in Scottsdale’s 7-4 win over Mesa. Kjerstad also singled and drove in an additional run with a double later, showing off the extra-base power that resulted in an .851 OPS across 65 games this season between Single-A and High-A.
Mariners: Bryan Woo, RHP (No. 15), Peoria Javelinas
Woo was lights-out in his AFL debut, striking out five across four hitless innings to lead Peoria to its 5-3 win over Goodyear. He only allowed two baserunners, on a walk and hit batsmen in the second, before striking out Terrell Tatum to to end the threat. Woo retired his final seven hitters in order to cap his night. It was only the 17th appearance in pro ball for Woo, who was as sixth-round Draft pick in 2021 after undergoing Tommy John surgery that spring. He debuted this year and reached High-A before embarking on the AFL. More »
Phillies: Johan Rojas, OF (No. 5), Surprise Saguaros
The 22-year-old Rojas is a dynamic center fielder who stole 62 bases across two levels in 2022. He stole another amid a three-hit day in his AFL debut, reaching four times and driving home a run in Surprise’s 11-6 slugfest win.
Rangers: Aaron Zavala, OF (No. 11), Surprise Saguaros
The very hitterish Zavala debuted in the 3-hole for Surprise on Opening Day and did not disappoint, homering as part of a two-hit game. Zavala walked in the first, singled in the sixth, and clubbed a solo homer to center off Kyle Leahy in the eighth as the Saguaros piled on late. It was an extension of what the 22-year-old showed in his first full pro season, when he hit .283/.428/.462 with 16 homers and 14 steals between High-A and Double-A.
Tigers: Parker Meadows, OF (No. 16), Salt River Rafters
Meadows had a difficult transition to pro ball after the Tigers took him in the second round in 2018, but he’s entering the AFL with some momentum after hit .302/.381/.520 with 15 homers in his last 83 games at Double-A this year. He made a powerful first impression Monday, homering in his second at bat and adding another hit later. Meadows also scored twice out of the leadoff spot.