Arizona Fall League Thread

[jay87shot]

News of some other teams prospects who will be in the AFL are starting to slowly trickle in. I figured it would be a nice discussion until we get news. I feel like there are good amount of pitchers who have missed a decent amount of time that are getting healthy.

[ClosetBrewerFan]

Agreed.  This is always a fun topic.  Predicting the pitchers will be hard because, as you say, there are so many candidates for pitchers who were hurt and need more playing time.  I'll start with the hitters, which are surprisingly also hard for the exact opposite reason.  Luis Pena is the only one that fits that category but I think its likely they just want him to have a full offseason to recover.  Unless he is feeling fully healthy.

Maybe Dinges if he can work on catching?  Or Wilken or Jett Williams (if healthy)?

From what I could find, each team can send up to 3 hitters and 4 pitchers, one of which can be below AA.  If any of this is incorrect please correct as I found lots of contradictory info online.

[jay87shot]

I'd like to see JD Thompson and Jacob Morrison on the pitching side. If Meccage is fully healthy he would be an easy send as well. There are a few arms like Epipscope and Russ Smith that I am not sure where they are on injury recoveries but could maybe make it there if healthy. Pena would be the best bat for sure, I kind of would like to see Adams go and maybe get some work in at 3B or even the OF just add some versatility to him as a platoon/bench player, I wouldn't mind someone like Daniel Dickinson going as well to learn some CF even though he played all year.

[Jim Goulart]

34 minutes ago, jay87shot said:

There are a few arms like Episcope and Russ Smith that I am not sure where they are on injury recoveries but could maybe make it there if healthy. 

Smith was released this week, noted in our Transaction Thread.

[ARobsBrewCrew]

Following up on what has already been a breakout campaign, Braylon Payne is expected to take part in the AFL this year.

[nate82]

2 hours ago, ARobsBrewCrew said:

Following up on what has already been a breakout campaign, Braylon Payne is expected to take part in the AFL this year.

That could be an interesting OF with Payne, Theo Gillen (Rays), Dakota Jordan or Bo Davidson (Giants).  The Tigers could also send Zyhir Hope.

 

  

[Ro Mueller]

Thinking some spots could go to Bitonti, Dickinson, Pena (if healthy). Maybe Rylan Mills

[markedman5]

Here we go

 

[igor67]

Very excited to keep seeing what both of them can do in the Fall League

[Ro Mueller]

I didn't have Matt Wood (25-year old catcher -> the oldest position player on the Scottsdale roster by nearly 2 years), Miqueas Mercedes (20-year old starting pitcher) or Ryan Birchard (played in the AFL in 2024) pegged for the 2026 AFL, but wish them success.

It seems they've cut down position players to 3 per MLB team this year.

Also, every team contributed 5 pitchers except the Brewers (4), so perhaps we'll add one more (Meccage???).

No real surprise with Braylon Payne, Eric Bitonti, Jose Meneses or Joshua Quezada.

[Joseph Zarr]

I did not see this thread somehow. LOL. In case anyone else doesn't, I've spread this announcement news in two additional Transaction threads and today's Game Thread. 😅

[Jim French Stepstool]

On 9/15/2026 at 1:49 PM, Joseph Zarr said:

To close this AFL Loop, official roster announcements for the AFL are out. Here's a complete look at the Brewers rostered on Scottsdale:

Since he's only been able to catch 48 times this year, I was wondering if Quero might've been a choice of some merit to catch in the fall league, assuming he's deemed able to get back behind the plate.

Jef could be hearing some footsteps; Wood has turned in a nice season.

[MattK]

14 hours ago, Jim French Stepstool said:

Since he's only been able to catch 48 times this year, I was wondering if Quero might've been a choice of some merit to catch in the fall league, assuming he's deemed able to get back behind the plate.

Jef could be hearing some footsteps; Wood has turned in a nice season.

Seems to be only a few AA level guys, and the rest below. Unsure if a AAA guy "qualifies"??

[Jim French Stepstool]

3 hours ago, MattK said:

Seems to be only a few AA level guys, and the rest below. Unsure if a AAA guy "qualifies"??

Age-wise he'd be older for fall ball but there are others in that range. I don't know if the level he played at would be a factor. Maybe?

[Joseph Zarr]

Bump. New Brewers addition...

 

[biedergb]

Good to see Jett getting some playing time, and this would seem to indicate that he is healthy enough to play.  

[Spencer Michaelis]

Looks like Peyton Niksch will be with the Scorpions as well. Not sure if he’s replacing someone or how that’s working.

[Jim Goulart]

 

[Ro Mueller]

Scottsdale’s opening game is being broadcast live. 1B Eric Bitonti and LF Braylon Payne are starting.

[Jim Goulart]

Opening Day Box Score

A “combined” 0-for-6

Rough mound outing for Joshua Quezada, retired only two of the six men he faced, two runs allowed.

[narwhalattack]

2 hours ago, Jim Goulart said:

Opening Day Box Score

A “combined” 0-for-6

Rough mound outing for Joshua Quezada, retired only two of the six men he faced, two runs allowed.

Bust alert. 

[Jim Goulart]

Box Score

Scottsdale wins, 5-2

Jett Williams, leading off and playing third base, was on base three times (triple, two walks), fanned in his other three at-bats.

Bitonti, batting 7th and playing first base, walked in addition to his solo shot.

20-year-old RHP Miqueas Mercedes got the start, RHP Ryan Birchard pitched in relief, earning a hold. Six of the ten baserunners Mercedes faced reached, while in addition to a scoreless line, Birchard stranded two baserunners upon entering. Detailed lines at the box score link.

Scottsdale plays Monday night the 5th as well, 8:30 Central.

[Jim French Stepstool]

16 hours ago, Jim Goulart said:

Box Score

Scottsdale wins, 5-2

Jett Williams, leading off and playing third base, was on base three times (triple, two walks), fanned in his other three at-bats.

Bitonti, batting 7th and playing first base, walked in addition to his solo shot.

20-year-old RHP Miqueas Mercedes got the start, RHP Ryan Birchard pitched in relief, earning a hold. Six of the ten baserunners Mercedes faced reached, while in addition to a scoreless line, Birchard stranded two baserunners upon entering. Detailed lines at the box score link.

Scottsdale plays Monday night the 5th as well, 8:30 Central.

Couple of hits for Payne Monday night.

You look at the 2nd half Bitonti had, see that he's ranked 26th, and then realize that's more-or-less where he should be. The organizational depth is just incredible.

So glad to see Williams strapping it up in the Fall League.

[Jim Goulart]

Box Score

Manager Rafael Neda's Scottsdale squad finishes in a tie after ten innings, 6-6

Watch the swing and the speed within -

Here's the video with the more traditional broadcast view of Payne's triple. Impressive.

Payne also singled and walked as part of his 2-for-5 line (two K's).

Catcher Matthew Wood played the full game and was on base four times (two singles, two walks), scoring twice in his fall debut.

RHP Peyton Niksch (pronounced "Nix") allowed only one run over his 2.2 innings, on a home run, as his line reflects.

21-year-old RHP Jose Meneses came in for Niksch and retired the only man he faced, Angels prized prospect Arjun Nimmala, who faced Biloxi in the Southern League finals.

 

Full archived video of this 6-6 contest can be found here. Niksch enters the game at the 55:45 minute mark.

In this brief video, Payne discusses his planned AFL work.

Scottsdale's next game is scheduled for 8:30 Central on Wednesday (hopefully there will be no need for a Brewers game that night!). Box score will be here, and it'll also be available for live viewing via MLB.com.

Late Wednesday night / early Thursday AM, you'll find highlights and the game archive here.

[Joseph Zarr]

A tie?!?