SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Major League Baseball today announced the rosters and coaching staffs of the 2022 Arizona Fall League (AFL). Six of MLB Pipeline’s top 25 prospects, and 16 of the top 100, highlight this year’s rosters, headlined by MLB Pipeline No. 6 prospects 3B Jordan Walker (St. Louis Cardinals) and Arizona Diamondbacks No. 1 overall prospect and the No. 6 overall pick of the 2021 MLB Draft OF Jordan Lawlar (No. 13 MLB Pipeline).
Walker and Lawlar will be paired on the Salt River Rafters, following quality offensive Minor League seasons for both players (.300+ BA, 16+ HR, .900+ OPS). At the conclusion of the 2022 MiLB season, both Lawlar and Walker finished at their team’s respective Double-A club, with Lawlar promoted on three different occasions throughout the season. Walker has ties to the diversity development pipeline programs led by MLB and USA Baseball, notably the Breakthrough Series and DREAM Series. Two other Cardinals prospects from MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 also will play in the AFL – SS Masyn Winn (No. 54) and RP Tink Hence (No. 95).
The AFL will also feature the 2021 MLB Draft No. 1 Overall Pick Henry Davis (Pittsburgh Pirates), the University of Louisville product who has played at four different levels of the Minors this year and slashed a combined .265/.387/.459 with eight homers. Davis, MLB Pipeline’s No. 20 prospects, will be joined by two other Top 100 Prospects from the Pirates organization: Quinn Priest (No. 47), and Fall League returnee Nick Gonzales (No. 97).
Below is a complete list of AFL Players in MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 Prospects (listed in order):
6. Jordan Walker – 3B, Salt River Rafters (STL) 51. Brennen Davis – OF, Mesa Solar Sox (CHC)
13. Jordan Lawler – OF, Salt River Rafters (ARI) 54. Masyn Winn – SS, Salt River Rafters (STL)
18. Noelvi Marte – SS, Glendale Desert Dogs (CIN) 69. Andy Pages – OF, Glendale Desert Dogs (LAD)
20. Henry Davis – C, Surprise Saguaros (PIT) 76. Matt McLain – SS, Glendale Desert Dogs (CIN)
23. Robert Hassell III – OF, Peoria Javelinas (WSH) 87. Jackson Merrill – SS, Peoria Javelinas (SD)
24. Zac Veen – OF, Salt River Rafters (COL) 95. Tink Hence – RP, Salt River Rafters (STL)
42. Jason Dominguez – OF, Mesa Solar Sox (NYY) 97. Nick Gonzales – 2B, Surprise Saguaros (PIT)
47. Quinn Priest – SP, Surprise Saguaros (PIT) 98. Zack Lies – 3B, Mesa Solar Sox (OAK)
The AFL is comprised of six teams, with each Major League organization sending seven (7) top prospects to fill the rosters. The AFL teams and their MLB affiliates will be as follows for the 2022 Fall League season:
The AFL’s six coaching staffs will be managed by the following individuals, all of whom are currently Minor League Managers: Justin Jirschele (Glendale; Chicago White Sox), Bobby Crosby (Mesa; Oakland Athletics), Reid Brignac (Peoria; New York Mets), Warren Schaeffer (Salt River; Colorado Rockies), Matt Tuiasosopo (Scottsdale; Atlanta Braves) and Mickey Storey (Surprise; Houston Astros).
MLB also announced that after testing this season in the Minor Leagues, the following new playing rules will be implemented in the Arizona Fall League: pitch timer, restriction on defensive positioning, larger bases and the Automatic Ball-Strike System (“ABS”) Challenge . This Challenge System, which allows hitters, pitchers, and catchers to challenge an umpire’s call at the plate with the ABS System, will only be tested at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick and Chase Field.
Below is a summary of new playing rules that will be used during the Arizona Fall League:
The 2022 AFL season is set to open on Monday, October 3rd, with additional season highlights including:
Tickets for the Arizona Fall League can now be purchased online through the AFL website HERE or at the box office on any game-day.
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