RADIO
Marty Tallman highlights 10 prospects in the Arizona Fall League who could breakout in 2027. Read his 2027 breakouts including Sebastian Walcott, Dakota Jordan, and more.
The Arizona Fall League (AFL) kicks off Saturday, October 3, with six teams featuring prospects from all 30 MLB organizations. For fantasy managers, that brings up the obvious question: Which players should I know for my 2027 redraft and draft-and-hold leagues?
We’ll get to that. But first, consider some of the names who played in the AFL before making their MLB debuts: Kevin McGonigle, Nick Kurtz, Ronald Acuna Jr., Aaron Judge, Bryce Harper, and Mike Trout. Not a bad list, right?
The AFL has long been a proving ground for future big-league stars, and there’s a good chance at least one player in this article will help you win your fantasy league next year. With that in mind, let’s dive into the top 10 AFL prospects to know for 2027.
Arizona Fall League Prospects to Know
Sebastian Walcott, SS/3B, Texas Rangers / Surprise Saguaros
If you only draft one prospect from this list, make it Sebastian Walcott. The Rangers’ No. 1 prospect has legitimate plus-plus raw power, a developing hit tool, and enough speed to steal 15–20 bases.
Sebastian Walcott goes yard for Double-A @RidersBaseball.
The @Rangers' top prospect hits his fourth home run in six games this month -- and six in his past eight: pic.twitter.com/rTjfaHa3uJ
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) September 9, 2026
The 20-year-old also has exceptional bat speed and has really worked on his approach. Walcott was expected to play in the AFL last fall but was shut down after experiencing arm fatigue. He was eventually diagnosed with a UCL tear, requiring internal brace surgery.
Five months later, Walcott returned, only to suffer another setback when an errant throw struck him in the back of the head. Once he was finally healthy, the Bahamian hit the ground running.
Walcott recorded 37 of his 41 plate appearances in Double-A, slashing .322/.398/.586 with nine home runs and 11 stolen bases, producing a 148 wRC+. Here’s a look at his Statcast data.
Although there isn’t an obvious spot for him in the Rangers’ lineup right now, his bat is too valuable to keep down. Plus, you don’t have to squint too hard to envision Corey Seager or Josh Jung landing on the IL, which would open the door for Walcott.
Simply put, Walcott should make the Rangers’ Opening Day roster, but even if he doesn’t, he’s worth drafting in all leagues.
Aidan Miller, SS, Philadelphia Phillies / Surprise Saguaros
Aidan Miller is the Phillies’ shortstop of the future, and if he’s healthy, his power-speed combination makes him a must-roster player in all 12-team leagues.
In 2025, Miller posted a 137 wRC+ with 14 home runs and 59 stolen bases across 526 plate appearances between Double-A and Triple-A. He looked like a strong candidate to get the call in 2026, but a mysterious back injury sidelined him for nearly the entire season.
Miller finally returned in September, making 14 plate appearances and slashing .333/.429/.583 with three doubles and a stolen base.
Aidan Miller doubles in his first AB of the season!
Miller missed the first five months of the season with a back issue.#RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/dG5s5Z3Aqu
— Eric Cross (@EricCrossMLB) September 6, 2026
Because back injuries can linger, it’s tough to know whether Miller is fully recovered or can handle a full AFL season. With that said, if he dominates this fall, don’t be surprised if his draft stock goes through the roof.
Zyhir Hope, OF, Detroit Tigers / Scottsdale Scorpions
Detroit Tigers No. 1 prospect, outfielder Zyhir Hope, could follow a similar path to McGonigle and make the Opening Day roster. The Tigers acquired Hope from the Los Angeles Dodgers for veteran ace Tarik Skubal.
Zyhir Hope mashes a 2-run homer during Double-A playoff action for the @erie_seawolves 🚀
The @tigers' top prospect was one of just 3 Minor Leaguers with 25+ HR, 25+ SB, 100+ RBI this year: pic.twitter.com/gEgo3bl36z
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) September 22, 2026
Across 564 plate appearances at Double-A, Hope slashed .287/.367/.513 with 29 home runs and 26 stolen bases.
The biggest concern is his chase and whiff rates. The 21-year-old posted a 25% strikeout rate, 29.5% chase rate, 28% whiff rate, and 84% zone-contact rate in the minors last season. That's not terrible, but he definitely needs to work on it this fall.
As a team, the Tigers have a hole in right field. Max Clark will play center field while Riley Greene plays in right. This gives Hope a legitimate chance to make the team out of camp, especially if he performs well in the AFL and Spring Training.
But even if he doesn't make the Opening Day roster, I wouldn't expect him to spend more than a month in Triple-A. Hope should be drafted in all 12-team leagues. Once he reaches the majors, he should be rostered in all formats.
Caleb Bonemer, 3B/SS/OF, Chicago White Sox / Glendale Desert Dogs
White Sox No. 2 prospect Caleb Bonemer slashed .251/.380/.550 with 17 stolen bases and took full advantage of the juiced ball, clobbering 37 home runs over 132 High-A and Double-A games.
Caleb Bonemer with a NO-DOUBTER 💪
The @whitesox No. 2 prospect becomes the 5th Minor Leaguer to hit 37 homers this year. pic.twitter.com/l2oJV01SnJ
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) September 12, 2026
The power is clearly there, but his hit tool is the biggest question mark outside of his defense. Like many young sluggers, Bonemer has struggled to make consistent contact and has trouble handling breaking balls.
Luckily, the 20-year-old has already shown an ability to adjust. The White Sox helped him cut his strikeout rate from 29% in High-A to 25% in Double-A while improving his contact rate from 68% to 74%.
Defensively, Bonemer has the arm and footwork to stick at third base, but the White Sox are also giving him reps at second base and center field.
That makes his defense the biggest thing to watch this fall. If he shows he can handle the outfield, it could accelerate his path to the majors.
For now, he’s a solid late-round target in draft-and-hold leagues while we wait to see how the White Sox plan to use him in 2027.
Eduardo Quintero, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers / Glendale Desert Dogs
Center fielder Eduardo Quintero is the second-highest-ranked prospect in the AFL, and if everything clicks, he has the tools to become a five-category fantasy stud sooner rather than later.
Eduardo Quintero, last 95 games...
428 PA
.348 AVG
.486 OBP
.574 SLG
46 XBH
12 HR
43 SB (6 CS)
19.2% BB
18.9% KFor the season, he's getting on base 1.99 times per game. #Dodgerspic.twitter.com/FoAizAi2EC
— Eric Cross (@EricCrossMLB) September 9, 2026
Quintero started the season at High-A Great Lakes, slashing .309/.445/.495 with 12 home runs and a 149 wRC+. The 21-year-old Venezuelan also posted his second straight season with more than 40 stolen bases.
So, when can we expect him to reach the majors? Dodgers prospects typically take a little longer to reach the big leagues, but Quintero could move faster because Los Angeles lacks a true center fielder.
In 2026, Andy Pages played most of his games in center, but he is better suited for a corner-outfield role. The same goes for other top prospects, Josue De Paula and Mike Sirota.
We don't know exactly when Quintero will get the call, but the Dodgers' need in center field could give him a path to the majors by the All-Star break.
That makes Quintero worth a gamble in 12-team draft-and-hold leagues. Once he reaches the majors, he should be rostered in all formats.
Arjun Nimmala, SS, Los Angeles Angels / Mesa Solar Sox
Infielder Arjun Nimmala is the Los Angeles Angels’ No. 1 prospect and finished the 2026 regular season on fire. After joining the Angels organization, he posted a .557 slugging percentage with nine doubles, eight home runs, and one stolen base over 27 games, good for a 153 wRC+.
And he wasn’t done there. Nimmala kept up the production in the playoffs.
Arjun Nimmala skies a solo homer with a championship on the line!
MLB's No. 35 prospect (@Angels) blasts his third long ball of the postseason for the Double-A @trashpandas: pic.twitter.com/QDqMI5peki
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) September 24, 2026
The 20-year-old has plenty of power, but questions remain about his hit tool. Across three levels in 2026, Nimmala posted a lackluster 72.5% contact rate.
Defensively, he projects as an above-average fielder with a chance to stick at shortstop long-term. However, unless the Angels trade current shortstop Zach Neto, Nimmala will likely move to second base when he reaches the majors.
That wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing for fantasy managers, though, as second base remains one of the thinnest positions in fantasy baseball.
Nimmala has a chance to make the Opening Day roster, and if he does, he would be a solid middle-infield option in 15-team leagues.
Jarlin Susana, SP/RP, Washington Nationals / Salt River Rafters
Right-handed flamethrower Jarlin Susana is the AFL's most exciting pitching prospect, but he has struggled with health and command.
A look at Jarlin Susana's Triple-A National Championship outing:
🔴 All 17 fastballs at 101.5+ mph
🔴 5 whiffs (4 on 70-grade slider)
🔴 2 scoreless IP, 27 pitches (18 strikes)Watch the rest of the action LIVE on @MLBNetwork! pic.twitter.com/z9E9Zq3SiT
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) September 27, 2026
Teams typically don’t send their top pitching prospects to the AFL because of its hitter-friendly environment. But after an injury-shortened season, the Nationals want to get a good look at the 22-year-old heading into 2027.
When he’s on the mound, Susana has some of the nastiest stuff in the minors. His fastball is a 70-grade pitch that has touched 104 mph, while his 70-grade slider generates plenty of swings and misses.
He also mixes in a sinker and changeup to keep hitters honest. Across five minor-league levels, Susana has struck out 417 batters in just 288 1/3 innings, including a ridiculous 39.4% strikeout rate this season.
The problem has been his command. Over that same span, he posted an 11.7% walk rate, along with a 6.20 ERA and 1.43 WHIP. That’s why his AFL performance is so important. Can he stay healthy and improve his command?
There’s also the question of how many innings the Nationals will allow him to throw and whether they still view him as a starter. Those questions remain unanswered.
But even if Susana eventually moves to the bullpen, his stuff gives him the upside to become one of the most dominant relievers in the game.
From a fantasy perspective, he’s worth drafting in 15-team leagues. Depending on his role once he reaches the majors, he could quickly become someone worth rostering in all formats.
Tate Southisene, 2B/SS, Atlanta Braves / Glendale Desert Dogs
Tate Southisene is a 19-year-old speed-first infielder who is starting to turn his raw power into game power. He is the Braves' No. 2 prospect and slashed .278/.408/.467 with 12 home runs and 45 stolen bases across three levels last season, finishing the year in Double-A.
The 5-foot-11 right-handed hitter has legitimate bat speed and has paired it with an improving approach at the plate. Last season, he posted a strong 15.5% walk rate while keeping his strikeout rate manageable at 22.4%.
Scouts currently project him as an average power hitter, but his high-end exit velocities offer plenty of reason for optimism. If that raw power translates, he could eventually reach 15 home runs over a full season.
Southisene will be just 20 years old when next season begins, but don’t be surprised if he makes his major-league debut in 2027.
His stolen-base upside makes him an intriguing dart throw toward the back end of 15-team draft-and-hold leagues.
Braylon Payne, OF, Milwaukee Brewers / Scottsdale Scorpions
At 20, outfielder Braylon Payne became the youngest minor leaguer to hit at least 25 home runs and steal 25 bases since Hall of Famer Adrian Beltre did it in 1997.
Braylon Payne delivers his third multihomer game of the year 💪
The @Brewers' No. 6 prospect is one of two players 20 or younger with 25+ HRs and 25+ SB this season. pic.twitter.com/Ixb087NLsY
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) September 13, 2026
Payne finished the 2026 season with 28 home runs and 25 stolen bases while slashing .277/.358/.552 across 467 plate appearances between High-A and Double-A.
His best tool is his 70-grade speed, but he has shown plenty of power potential, too. Last season, he posted a 117 mph max exit velocity, suggesting he could have more pop than his scouting reports indicate.
The biggest concern is his contact rate. Payne struck out 29.1% of the time and made contact on just 67% of his swings between High-A and Double-A.
That makes the AFL particularly important for Payne. He already has the speed and raw power to make an impact in fantasy, but if he can cut down on the swing-and-miss, he has legitimate five-category upside.
There’s still a good chance Payne doesn’t make his major-league debut in 2027. However, the Brewers have been aggressive with his assignments, so a late-season call-up after the All-Star break isn’t out of the question.
Like Southisene, Payne is worth taking a shot on toward the back end of 15-team draft-and-hold leagues.
Charles Davalan, 2B/OF, Los Angeles Dodgers / Glendale Desert Dogs
Stop the presses! The Dodgers have another top prospect who could make an impact as soon as 2027.
Charles Davalan played only a few games at Double-A last season, but the experienced college bat has already shown a promising combination of contact, power, and speed.
Charles Davalan blasts his FIRST Double-A home run to put the Drillers ahead! 💥 pic.twitter.com/9NJGWg5g8A
— Tulsa Drillers (@TulsaDrillers) September 16, 2026
Davalan has a 60-grade hit tool and slashed .291/.400/.532 with 24 home runs and 17 stolen bases across 115 games at High-A. The 22-year-old Arkansas product has power to all fields and posted an impressive 84% contact rate.
He also showed excellent plate discipline, drawing 63 walks while striking out just 57 times. The big question now is whether he can earn a spot on the Dodgers’ roster, and his best path might be through second base.
Since the start of 2024, Miguel Rojas is the only Dodgers second baseman to post an above-average wRC+, and his 101 mark barely cleared league average.
That’s why the Dodgers will give Davalan plenty of reps at second base this fall. He has played the position before, but it was a few years ago in college.
The AFL will give us a chance to see how Davalan handles better pitching and how he looks defensively at the keystone. If he performs well in both areas, a 2027 call-up could be on the table. If everything breaks right, Davalan will be a solid waiver wire target later in the year.
Honorable Mentions
Jett Williams, 3B/SS/OF, Milwaukee Brewers / Scottsdale Scorpions
The Brewers acquired Jett Williams in the trade that sent Freddy Peralta to the Mets. For fantasy, Williams brings two useful skills: speed and the ability to get on base.
Across 81 games at Triple-A, Williams stole 21 bases and posted a .340 on-base percentage before missing time with wrist and elbow injuries. The aptly named Jett also ranks in the 98th percentile in sprint speed, while his 13.2% walk rate ranks in the 75th percentile.
The 22-year-old should get a chance in the majors at some point in 2027, but it’s tough to know exactly when. Milwaukee just had one of the best seasons in franchise history, and the Brewers already have Cooper Pratt at shortstop, Brice Turang at second base, and Joey Ortiz at third.
For Williams to make the team out of camp, he’ll need a strong AFL and Spring Training. The Brewers’ No. 10 prospect could also work his way into the outfield mix, giving the team another way to get his speed into the lineup.
Either way, it feels like only a matter of time before Williams gets his opportunity. Until then, he’s best suited for the back end of 15-team draft-and-hold leagues if you’re looking for cheap speed.
Demetrio Crisantes, 2B, Arizona Diamondbacks / Salt River Rafters
Second baseman Demetrio Crisantes is the Diamondbacks’ No. 1 prospect, and the good news is that he’s a really good contact hitter. The bad news is that he doesn’t offer much power or speed.
Think of Los Angeles Angels first baseman Nolan Schanuel, but with a little more raw power. MLB Pipeline gives Crisantes a 60-grade hit tool, and his contact rates back that up.
He posted an 88.4% in-zone contact rate and an 84% overall contact rate across 209 Triple-A plate appearances. The 22-year-old also posted a 15.5% strikeout rate and an 8.7% walk rate.
The biggest question is where Crisantes will play. The Diamondbacks already have Ketel Marte at second base, and unless they move him, Crisantes may not have an obvious path to playing time.
Still, after hitting .292/.377/.477 in 209 Triple-A plate appearances, Crisantes has little left to prove in the minors.
From a fantasy perspective, his lack of power will likely limit him to deeper leagues, especially those with a middle-infield spot. However, it’s not impossible that he develops more pop, and the AFL is a great place for him to gain some confidence.
If Crisantes takes another step forward this fall, he could become an interesting waiver-wire target in deep leagues.
Ike Irish, 1B/OF, Baltimore Orioles / Peoria Javelinas
Ike Irish was drafted in 2025 and has already risen to the Orioles' No. 5 prospect. In his first professional season, he slashed .286/.388/.528 with 16 home runs and 20 stolen bases across 343 plate appearances at High-A.
MLB Pipeline gives the 22-year-old 55-grade hit and power tools, giving him the upside to hit for a solid average while developing into a 20-plus home run threat.
Ike Irish smashes his second long ball of the day at High-A for his second multihomer game of July!@Orioles | @FrederickKeys | @OsPlayerDev pic.twitter.com/RDmirQa681
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) July 19, 2026
Unfortunately, Irish suffered a torn meniscus in July, but he appears to be fully healthy heading into the fall.
Before the injury, he posted a .241 ISO, 72% zone-contact rate, and .466 wOBAcon. He also doesn't strike out too much and walks 12.5% of the time.
His 61st-percentile sprint speed isn’t anything special, but Irish has shown good instincts on the basepaths. He probably won’t become a 20-steal player in the majors, but 12-15 steals from a first baseman would be a huge boost for fantasy managers.
So, when could Irish reach the majors? If he dominates Double-A and earns a quick promotion to Triple-A, he could put himself in position to make his MLB debut by August.
That timeline would require a lot to go right, so for now, fantasy managers should take a wait-and-see approach with the left-handed hitter out of Auburn.
Dakota Jordan, OF, San Francisco Giants / Scottsdale Scorpions
Outfielder Dakota Jordan is the Giants' No. 7 prospect and might be the highest-risk, highest-upside fantasy prospect on this list.
MLB Pipeline gives him 60-grade raw power and 70-grade speed. Across 443 plate appearances between High-A and Double-A, Jordan slashed .283/.343/.500 with 19 home runs and 21 stolen bases, good for a 117 wRC+.
DAKOTA JORDAN LEGACY GAME!@Kota_1k has three home runs and it’s the 4th inning. He is now tied for the Northwest League lead with 18 HR.#RootedHere pic.twitter.com/VItBAveh0n
— Eugene Emeralds (@EugeneEmeralds) July 11, 2026
Unfortunately, the biggest concern is his contact. He struck out 28% of the time and made contact on just 68% of his swings last season.
The 23-year-old out of Mississippi State has consistently struggled against in-zone fastballs and breaking balls, which could be a death sentence if it continues.
This fall will be crucial for Jordan and his 2027 outlook because he needs to show he can handle upper-level pitching while tapping into his raw power.
He may never hit for a high average, but the tools are there for an elite power-speed combination. He's a long shot to make the Giants' roster, but keep an eye on his progress. If he eventually gets the call, his upside would be worth the gamble.
More Fantasy Baseball Advice
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy baseball app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, sleepers, prospects & more. All free!
