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Top NL Prospects to Watch in the Arizona Fall League All-Star Game

By Richard Haake
2023 Fall-Star Game

The Arizona Fall League All-Star Game is finally here, the game’s top prospects are assembled into two stacked teams with the Fall League’s top performers. Every player deserves a shout-out but I will highlight some of the key performers for the National League in this article. You will find big names mixed in with surprise performers that could be had for less in dynasty leagues but act fast as the stock will likely be on the rise. Let’s dive into key names to look into on the National League Fall-Stars.

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NL Prospects to Watch in AFL All-Star Game

DJ Herz, LHP WSH

(5 GS, 17 IP, 25 K, 3.71 ERA, 13.2 K/9)

It has been quite a season for DJ Herz starting off in the Cubs organization and now firmly entrenched in the Nationals organization and off to the Fall All-Star Game. Herz has a 13.2 K/9 in 5 starts with Scottsdale, this is on par with the 13.5 K/9 Herz had in 35.1 innings pitched once coming over to the Nationals. What will be key for Herz to remain a starter long-term is to limit the walks, something he has not done well this season (5.6 BB/9 with Cubs, 5.1 BB/9 with Nationals) nor in the Arizona Fall League (4.8 BB/9).

 

Ronan Kopp, LHP LAD

(7 GP, 8 IP, 15 K, 1.13 ERA, 16.9 K/9)

The Dodgers just keep cranking out top-tier prospects on the pitching and hitting side and Ronan Kopp is quickly rising up their rankings. In the Arizona Fall League, Ronan Kopp has been utilized as a relief pitcher making seven appearances with a 1.13 ERA and a stellar 16.9 K/9. This season the Dodgers utilized Kopp as both a starter and reliever so it’s still unclear what they see him as long term but the 6.2 BB/9 in 72.1 innings pitched at High-A and the 6.8 BB/9 pitched in 8 innings in the fall league leads me to lean relief pitcher long term. Don’t let this deter you from a potential high-leverage reliever if that is the case for the Dodgers or as a trade chip in the 2024 season.

 

Eric Brown Jr, SS MIL

(23 GP, .289/.392/.410, 1 HR, 14 RBI, 8 SB)

One of Milwaukee’s premier stolen base prospects in the minor leagues this season was Eric Brown Jr. Heading into the Fall All-Stars game Eric Brown Jr slashed .289/.392/.410 with a .801 OPS over 23 games played. Brown displayed his gap-to-gap hitting with five doubles and one triple in 97 plate appearances. On the base paths, Brown swiped eight bases in 11 attempts. Long term I see Eric Brown as a center field option or as a super-utility bat as I’m not sure the bat will be good enough to stick as an everyday player.

Wes Clarke, 1B/C MIL

(19 GP, .294/.435/.574, 5 HR, 19 RBI)

Putting the exclamation point on a fantastic Arizona Fall League is Wes Clarke as he made the Fall All-Star Game with a stellar performance so far. In 19 games played Wes Clarke is slashing .294/.435/.574 with a 1.009 OPS in 85 plate appearances. The 2023 season saw Clarke almost match his Junior season production at the University of South Carolina where he hit .271/.428/.663 with 23 home runs and took to the Fall League with ease crushing five home runs. This performance in the fall league as well as the season stats in 2023 (99 GP, .241/.392/.498, 26 HR, 80 RBI) has me believing in Wes Clarke, and would not be surprised if he is an MLB regular by the end of the 2024 season.

Ivan Melendez, 1B/3B ARI

(20 GP, .241/.355/.405, 2 HR, 13 RBI, 1 SB)

One of my favorite players to write about in 2022 while with the University of Texas and this past season has got to be Ivan Melendez. Back-to-back seasons with 30 home runs (32 HR in 2022 with Texas) start his professional career off right! No doubt the strikeout rates have some dynasty managers and analysts concerned but Melendez has big-time upside. Going into the Fall All-Stars game Melendez looks tired but has been able to slash .241/.355/.405 with a .760 OPS across 93 plate appearances for the Salt River Rafters. The power has been a bit subdued but with five doubles, one triple, and two home runs Melendez is still showing off his raw power after a big season. I will be curious to see what the Diamondbacks do personnel-wise this off-season and even more so to see if Melendez will work into their early season plans in 2024.

 

Sterlin Thompson, 3B COL

(20 GP, .342/.463/.487, 13 RBI, 6 SB)

For Rockies fans, the future is getting brighter with prospects like Sterlin Thompson, Zac Veen, Benny Montgomery, and more coming up the pipeline. Sterlin Thompson has been fantastic in the Arizona Fall League slashing .342/.463/.487 with 13 RBIs, and swiping six stolen bases across 20 games played. The bat-to-ball skills have been on full display for Thompson with the stellar on-base percentage of .463 and the 17 walks to 24 strikeouts in 95 plate appearances. I’m curious as to what kind of power Thompson can get to as he only hit 14 this season across High-A and Double-A and so far has gone without a home run in the Arizona Fall League. Thompson should start the season back in Double-A Hartford in 2024 with a chance of debuting at some point by the end of the season.

James Triantos, 3B/2B/OF CHC

(21 GP, .425/.505/.700, 3 HR, 15 RBI, 9 SB)

Cubs fans have to be excited for James Triantos, the 20-year-old has been tearing up the Arizona Fall League after having a stellar 2023 in High-A and Double-A. In 21 games played Triantos is currently slashing .425/.505/.700.. That’s right with a 1.205 OPS. Triantos has been a complete contributor with the bat racking up 18 runs scored to go with his 15 RBI’s. Of Triantos’s 34 hits so far in the Fall League, 11 have come as extra-base hits with five of them coming as triples. To cap everything off Triantos has shown his advanced approach on the basepaths swiping bases as he currently has nine stolen bases in 10 attempts. While sitting for a live Fantasy Baseball Today podcast with Chris Welsh and Frank Stampfl, Triantos dropped a personal goal of getting to 30 stolen bases in 2024.. Can’t wait to see how it pans out!

 

Kevin Alcantara, OF CHC

(19 GP, .253/.326/.532, 5 HR, 23 RBI, 2 SB)

If you follow the Arizona Fall League Twitter (X) feed you probably saw Alcantara highlights almost daily it seemed and for good reason. In 19 games played Kevin Alcantara slashed .253/.326/.532 with a .857 OPS in 89 plate appearances. Alcantara showed off the big-time power prospect analysts have been predicting since he was in the Yankees organization. Of Alcantara’s 20 hits this Fall League 11 are of the extra base variety with five coming via the long ball. The strikeouts and general bat-to-ball skills have been a bit of a concern for me long term for Alcantara but still a guy to watch going into the off-season as he could be making his major league debut here in 2024.

Jase Bowen, OF PIT

(23 GP, .304/.366/.533, 4 HR, 17 RBI, 3 SB)

One of my favorite “sleeper prospects” might not be for much longer as Jase Bowen earned his spot in the Arizona Fall League All-Star lineup. In 23 games played Bowen slashed .304/.366/.533 with a .899 OPS in 102 plate appearances. Bowen hit the ball hard while in the Fall League hitting 11 extra-base hits in his 28 total hits with four of those extra-base hits being home runs. The only surprise for me with Bowen was the lack of stolen base efficiency as he swiped three bases in six attempts, while he stole 26 bases in 32 attempts during the 2023 season. Regardless of the stolen bases, this was a great performance from the 22-year-old Bowen who should start the season back in Double-A Altoona and could be a sneaky trade target over the offseason.

Jakob Marsee, OF SDP

(21 GP, .378/.490/.671, 4 HR, 17 RBI, 14 SB)

Dynasty managers have been salivating over the production Jakob Marsee was able to put up in High-A and Double-A in 2023. The production has continued to impress me during the Arizona Fall League as the 22-year-old Marsee has slashed .378/.490/.671 with a stellar 1.161 OPS. The power was solid as Marsee crushed 10 doubles, one triple, and four home runs in 104 plate appearances, that’s 15 extra-base hits out of his 31 total hits in the Fall League. In 2023 Marsee swiped 46 bases and continued to show his base stealing prowess swiping 14 bases in 15 attempts. This is a prospect that will be making his debut in the top 100 lists over the off-season and will be a major target in dynasty leagues and for good reason.

Benny Montgomery, OF COL

(17 GP, .343/.447/.486, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 9 SB)

The Colorado Rockies have to be happy with Benny Montgomery’s performance during the Arizona Fall League. In 17 games played Montgomery is slashing .343/.447/.486 with a .933 OPS so far in 85 plate appearances. Montgomery has been patient at the plate and has walked 13 times while striking out 25 times. This was a great way to cap off the season for Benny Montgomery and should get promoted to Double-A Hartford to start the 2024 season.

Victor Scott ll, OF STL

(22 GP, .272/.366/.407, 3 HR, 17 R, 7 RBI, 16 SB)

One of the biggest risers this season for prospect hounds was Victor Scott. With 94 stolen bases during the regular season between High-A and Double-A and the assignment to the Arizona Fall League, it was no secret all eyes would be on Scott. The performance so far in the Fall League has been stellar as Scott has slashed .272/.366/.407 with a solid .773 OPS in his 94 plate appearances. The speed was still on full display as Scott swiped 16 stolen bases in 18 attempts leading up to the All-Star weekend. What has impressed me was the hard contact Scott had in the games I watched and I wouldn’t be surprised if Scott is able to get to 15-20 home run power annually for the Cardinals.

Gabriel Rincones Jr, OF PHI

(21 GP, .295/.427/.462, 2 HR, 20 R, 13 RBI, 14 SB)

If you are a fan of Victor Scott ll make sure you take a look at Gabriel Rincones Jr of the Philidelphia Phillies. Rincones has impressed me with his performance so far leading up to the Fall Star weekend. In 21 games played Rincones has slashed .295/.427/.462 with a .889 OPS in his 96 plate appearances. The speed has been impressive for Rincones in the Fall League as he has swiped 14 bases in 16 attempts. To me, this is a fantastic dynasty target as the off-season kicks off and it would not surprise me if the Phillies send Rincones to Double-A Reading to start the 2024 season.

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3 Comments
  1. Jose Hernandez says

    Thanks, I am rebuilding a team looking toward 2025. I have a full pitching stable (Painter (2025), Skenes, Horton, Cavalli, Misiorowski and Waldrep).
    I am looking for solid hitters, with good OBP and a little power and speed. Aside from Marsee and Triantos I am also interested 3B Tyler Black and INF Thomas Saggese. What do you think of this two?

    Reply
  2. Jose Hernandez says

    I am very high in OF Marsee and INF/ OF Triantos. When do you see them arriving at MLB?
    Marsee seems more productive than Grisham, and Triantos looks like Chris Taylor , multiposition player with a good bat.

    Reply
    1. Richard Haake says

      Hey Jose! I appreciate you reading the article! There is a real possibility that both James Triantos and Jakob Marsee will make there major league debuts in 2024. I would lean Marsee if you are asking who will get there first though. The Cubs are trying to find a place where James Triantos can stick long term but the bat will play.

      Reply
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