The Arizona Fall League keeps chugging along and so are we breaking down names to watch for each team. In this article I’ll be giving you names to watch for the Scottsdale Scorpions, This team is comprised of prospects from the LA Angels, Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants, St Louis Cardinals, and the Washington Nationals. Let’s dive in!
Scottsdale Scorpions of the Arizona Fall League
(LAA, PHI, SFG, STL, WSH)
Pitching Prospects To Watch
DJ Herz, LHP WSH
(22 GS, 94.1 IP, 133 K, 3.43 ERA)
It seems like DJ Herz has done so much since being drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the eighth round of the 2019 MLB draft straight out of high school. The 22-year-old left-hander was traded from the Cubs to the Nationals before the trade deadline in 2023 and in his short stint with his new club, Herz was impressive. Across eight starts Herz had a 13.50 K/9 with a .161 average against and a solid 2.55 ERA in just 35.1 innings pitched for Double-A Harrisburg. The only concern for Herz has been his control as he had a 5.64 BB/9 while with the Cubs and followed it up with a 5.09 BB/9 in the Nationals organization.
This assignment to the Arizona Fall League appears to be Washington’s way to see an extended look at Herz against a solid lineup and see if he can work on his control heading into 2024.
Tekoah Roby, RHP STL
(14 GS, 58.1 IP, 69 K, 4.63 ERA)
Similar to DJ Herz, Tekoah Roby found himself in a new organization following the trade deadline this season. Coming over from the Texas Rangers in the Jordan Montgomery trade Roby hit the ground running for his new club. In four starts for Double-A Springfield Roby had a stellar 14.25 K/9 walking only 2.25 per nine with a .146 average against and finished with a 3.00 ERA. This was a big improvement from his 10 starts with the Rough Riders where Roby left with a 5.05 ERA. Though there were clear signs he was potentially a victim of his defense behind him as the 3.84 FIP and inflated BABIP would indicate.
It seems the Cardinals acquired a pitcher that has solid upside and it’s no surprise they want an extended look at Roby in the Fall League as he could be poised to start the season back in Double-A for a short stint before making his way to Triple-A.
🌵🏜️STL RHP Tekoah Roby was impressive once he was traded to the Cardinals at the deadline. In his 4 starts with Springfield Roby had
• 14.25 K/9
• 2.25 BB/9
• .146 AVG
• 3.00 ERASt. Louis might have found a gem for there long term success. @Fantrax https://t.co/2FHogNiwze
— Richard Haake (@Mustbethehawk) October 25, 2023
Hitting Prospects To Watch
Robert Hassell, OF WSH
(121 GP, .221/.324/.321, 9 HR, 41 RBI, 15 SB)
It’s not a stretch to say it has not been a great season for Robert Hassell, the 21-year-old outfielder finished the Double-A season hitting .225/.316/.324 in 106 games played. Compiling a poor performance with hitting Hassell only managed nine home runs on the season and swiped 15 bases. This assignment appears to be a way for the Nationals to build Hassell’s confidence going into the 2024 season. So far Hassell has been alright for Scottsdale hitting .255/.333/.340 with one home run, 10 RBIs, and four stolen bases in 14 games played. Hopefully, this is a sign of better things to come for the young outfield prospect as he makes his climb towards a debut in the majors in the coming season.
Victor Scott ll, OF STL
(132 GP, .303/.369/.425, 9 HR, 63 RBI, 94 SB)
The performance from the 22-year-old Victor Scott this season was nothing short of amazing. The former West Virginia Mountaineer led all of minor league baseball in stolen bases with 94 and finished within the top 30 in runs scored with 95. Victor Scott ll was impressive with his bat-to-ball skills striking out 16.9% of the time in High-A then lowering it further to a 14.5% strikeout rate in the same number of games. Already to this point in the Arizona Fall League, Victor Scott ll has swiped 10 bases in 11 attempts. With a strong finish to the AFL don’t be surprised if Victor Scott ll starts the season in Tripe-A and could make his major league debut sometime in 2024.
🌵🏜️STL OF Victor Scott ll was unstoppable this season on the base-paths and continues to show an advanced bat. In 132 GP he had..
• .303 AVG
• .369 OBP
• 9 HR
• 95 R
• 94 SBNo doubt a 💪 season for the former Mountaineer! @WVUBaseball @Fantrax @Victor_Scott2 https://t.co/L7BLtRHaFP
— Richard Haake (@Mustbethehawk) October 25, 2023
Gabriel Rincones Jr, OF PHI
(120 GP, .248/.351/.427, 15 HR, 60 RBI, 32 SB)
One of the hottest hitters in the Arizona Fall League right now is Gabriel Rincones Jr. In 16 games played Rincones is slashing .312/.432/.525 with two home runs, 11 RBIs, and 10 stolen bases in 11 attempts. This performance is encouraging as Rincones struggled once he was promoted to High-A Jersey Shore. In 72 games played with the Blue Claws Rincones slashed .238/.326/.416 with 10 home runs, 50 runs scored, and swiped eight bases. Despite the lack of batting average Rincones showed solid plate discipline walking 10.3% while only striking out 24.8% of the time in High-A Jersey Shore. With the strong performance in the Fall League so far and good underlining numbers, this might be the last opportunity to buy before his stock jumps through the roof going into the 2024 season.