Vote NOW for the Fall Stars Game Final 2
It happens every autumn. Some of baseball's top prospects, representing all 30 Major League clubs, assemble in the Phoenix area for a six-week showcase circuit -- the Arizona Fall League. And every year, from the elite participants an even more select group is chosen to compete in one of the most prospect-rich games on the calendar. The 17th annual Fall Stars Game is set for 8 p.m. ET on Sunday at Mesa's Sloan Park, and fans have the last word on the rosters. MLB.com's Fall Stars Final 2 Vote is open now.
The polls close at 5 p.m. ET on Friday, with one spot on the American League team and one on the National League team to be determined by the Final 2 results. Voting is underway here.
Here are the players up for selection:
American League
Benjamin Cowles, SS, Mesa Solar Sox, Yankees
A 10th-round pick in the 2021 Draft, Cowles spent most of the regular season in High-A ball but got a three-game taste of the Triple-A level before coming to the Solar Sox. He brought a 10-game hitting streak into Week 5 action, carrying a .326/.448/.522 slash line through 14 games with Mesa.
Jacob Burke, OF, Glendale Desert Dogs, White Sox (CWS No. 20)
The Miami product homered twice in a three-game span from Oct. 12-16 and put up three multihit showings and stole five bases over his first 18 games in the desert. He's also known for covering an impressive amount of ground in the outfield, and he logged an assist from center in his AFL debut.
Justice Bigbie, OF, Salt River Rafters, Tigers (DET No. 21)
Bigbie has been a steady presence in the Rafters' lineup, keeping his on-base percentage near or above the .400 mark and flirting with a .300 batting average after the first several weeks of action. His power has not been a major factor in the Fall League yet, but it's there -- he hit 19 homers while climbing from High-A to Double-A to Triple-A this year -- and could show up in a key moment on Sunday.
Max Muncy, SS, Mesa Solar Sox, Athletics (OAK No. 7)
The 2021 first-rounder has been clutch for the Solar Sox, putting up multiple extra hits in three separate games (totaling seven XBH over his first 16 games). Mesa also gets an edge from Muncy's speed and competitive nature.
National League
Jacob Hurtubise, OF, Surprise Saguaros, Reds
Through 24 games, the Saguaros had a two-game lead in the AFL standings, with Hurtubise as a major factor. Playing in 19 of those games, the Cincinnati outfielder had 22 hits -- eighth-most in the league -- and nine stolen bases.
Nasim Nuñez, SS, Peoria Javelinas, Marlins (MIA No. 17)
With 70-grade speed, Nuñez is always capable of impacting a game in multiple ways. Over a four-game span from Oct. 10-16, the Miami middle-infield prospect swiped six bags, and he reached base safely in 13 of his first 15 games in the league.
Keshawn Ogans, SS, Salt River Rafters, Braves
A 20th-round pick in the 2022 Draft, Ogans posted a .360 on-base percentage with 32 extra-base hits at High-A Rome over his first full season to earn a trip to the AFL, and he's taking advantage of his time there. One game into Week 5, Ogans has more RBIs (16) than games played (15) and has a .365 OBP.
Graham Pauley, 3B, Peoria Javelinas, Padres (SD No. 11)
Pauley mashed 23 homers and stole 22 bases over 98 games while marching from Low-A to High-A to Double-A in his first full season this year, and his pop has played for Peoria. The Padres prospect clobbered three homers and three doubles -- also swiping four bags -- over his first 16 games this fall.