Saturday's top prospect Fall League performers
Here's a look at Saturday's top prospect performers from the Arizona Fall League.
Guardians: Chase DeLauter, OF (MLB No. 85), Peoria Javelinas
The Guardians' No. 4 prospect delivered in a big way for Peoria. In the final frame, DeLauter broke the tie game open with a three-run homer -- his fourth of the Fall League. The blast maintained the 22-year-old's lead in the RBI race, where he has 20 in 16 games. DeLauter also singled in the first inning.
Orioles: Billy Cook, 1B (No. 27), Mesa Solar Sox
Cook hit his second homer in as many days and added a double to drive in three runs for Mesa. The 24-year-old holds seven extra-base hits in the Fall League through four weeks and had four two-XBH nights with Double-A Bowie during the regular season. More »
Padres: Jakob Marsee, OF (No. 12), Peoria Javelinas
Marsee was seeing double as he picked up a pair of two-baggers -- and a couple of runs -- for Peoria. The knocks continue the outfielder's hot streak as Saturday marked his fourth straight game with an extra-base hit. Unsurprisingly, Marsee leads all batters in hits (29) and extra-base hits (14) in 18 games played.
Phillies: Andrew Baker, RHP (Unranked), Scottsdale Scorpions
As far as relievers go, Baker is making the case for being the most dominant in the Fall League. In six outings, he has held opponents to just one hit and struck out the side twice, which he did on Saturday against Surprise. His 0.00 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and .053 BAA illustrate his success in the desert against stiff competition.
Red Sox: Zach Penrod, LHP (Unranked), Glendale Desert Dogs
Penrod got the start for the Desert Dogs on Saturday night, delivering three scoreless innings while striking out three. That continues a strong campaign, as the southpaw has allowed just three runs in four Fall League starts -- he has a 1.29 ERA with a 1.21 WHIP over 14.0 innings. Penrod's ERA is the best in the Fall League amongst qualified pitchers.
Reds: Carson Spiers, RHP (Unranked), Surprise Saguaros
Spiers had a cup of coffee in The Show in 2023, appearing in four games for the Reds and posting a 6.92 ERA. While he may not have had glowing success in the Majors, he did show enough in the Minors to warrant a callup, making his assignment to the Arizona Fall League an opportunity for further seasoning of his game. On Saturday, Spiers started his fourth contest of the fall, and he was dominant. The 25-year-old fanned five en route to delivering four one-run frames for Surprise. Additionally, fellow Cincinnati prospect Bryce Hubbart picked up where Spiers left off, posting three solid innings to finish off the win. More »
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Royals: CJ Alexander, 3B (Unranked), Surprise Saguaros
Alexander didn't arrive in the desert until just over a week ago, but what a week it has been. The older brother of D-backs prospect Blaze Alexander, he's reached base in all seven Fall League games and tallied two or more knocks in three. His most recent of that bunch came on Saturday when he crushed a homer and a double in a 2-for-3 performance. The jack was Alexander’s second of the fall and helped raise his slash line to .292/.387/.750.
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Twins: Kala'i Rosario, OF (No. 19), Glendale Desert Dogs
Rosario hit his AFL-leading sixth long ball of the season on Saturday night. The 21-year-old Hawaii native picked up two hits and raised his OPS to .761. He's looking to find more discipline at the plate, and it showed against Salt River. He waited for a breaking pitch in his second at-bat and sent it 413 feet. More »
Yankees: Trystan Vrieling, RHP (Unranked), Mesa Solar Sox
The 23-year-old put together a solid start, striking out five while allowing two hits in three innings. After he missed his debut season with a fractured elbow, the 2022 third-rounder's first professional outings have come during fall ball. In four starts, the 23-year-old has averaged 11.7 strikeouts per nine innings.