The Arizona Fall League schedule is coming to a close, and that means the two biggest events of its season are on tap. The 20th annual Fall Stars Game takes place Sunday at 8 p.m. ET/6 p.m. local, and the championship game is set for the following Saturday at the same time. MLB Network will broadcast both games live, and they'll also stream on MLB.com and the MLB app.
Now for your questions ....
How rare is it that a newly drafted guy like Dalton Wentz (Giants) shows up in the AFL and shows he’s at that advanced level right out of the gate? What position does he seem likely to settle at given the Giants' depth at infield in the Minors?
-- Craig L., Novato, Calif.
It's rare in that teams don't send nearly as many current-year draftees to the AFL as they used to. I wish that would change, because it's a great opportunity for players to get acclimated to pro ball against a higher level of competition. Also, selfishly, I want to see more of these guys in action while I'm out here.
In my first year with MLB.com, Kris Bryant went from the No. 2 overall pick in the 2013 Draft to Fall League MVP. Two seasons ago, top-five-overall choices Nick Kurtz and Jac Caglianone impressed in baseball's finishing school.
This year, there are two 2026 draftees in the AFL, and both Royals outfielder Zion Rose and Wentz earned Fall Stars recognition. I spoke to Rose last night and he was excited about playing for the Surprise Saguaros and how that experience is setting him up for success in his first full pro season in 2027.
Wentz entered this year as one of the top college sophomore prospects in the Draft and a potential top-two-rounder. While he slammed 18 homers at Wake Forest, he also struck out 63 times in 60 games while chasing too many pitches and struggling against non-fastballs. He dropped to the 16th round, where he signed for fourth-round money ($584,955).
A switch-hitter with at least plus raw power, Wentz improved his conditioning and athleticism over the past year. He split his college career between third base and second base and has done the same in his nascent pro career. He profiles better at the hot corner and the Giants have a logjam of shortstops, many of whom fit better at second base if they have to move.
Cook is far from the most famous player in the Fall League but has some of the best all-around tools in the circuit. He's a top-of-the-scale runner and quality defender in center field with plus arm strength and a knack for getting on base. He's batting .355/.420/.387 with 14 steals in 15 games for the Mesa Solar Sox, a performance that landed him in the Fall Stars Game.
Cook is a legitimate prospect, and the key to his success going forward will be refining his hitting ability. He struck out just 7 percent of the time as a redshirt sophomore at Southern Mississippi before the Blue Jays selected him in 2025's third round. But his K rate rose to 28 percent in his pro debut and stands at 26 percent in the AFL, and because he doesn't have much power, he's going to have to hit.
Cook does have more room to grow as a hitter than most 23-year-olds because he didn't become a full-time position player until his Draft year. Recruited as a two-way guy by Southern Miss, he pushed his fastball to 96 mph as a left-handed pitcher but his inability to throw strikes limited him to two innings in his first two years in college. If he can make more contact, he can be an everyday center fielder in the big leagues.
You must know that plenty of us wonder where the rookies who didn't graduate would fall in your long-term rookie rankings. In particular: Mariners left-hander Kade Anderson, Twins shortstop Kaelan Culpepper, Dodgers outfielder Josue De Paula, Twins outfielder Walker Jenkins and Padres catcher Ethan Salas. We would gobble it up since Thanksgiving is coming up.
-- David S., Oakland, Calif.
None of my stories creates as much rage as my annual long-term rookie rankings. They only include players who exceeded the rookie limits (130 at-bats, 50 innings, 45 days of active service time) in the most recent year, which is why the players whom David mentioned weren't included. But if they were, here's where I'd slot them in based on projected career value -- and remember that age and positional value are important factors:
1. Konnor Griffin, SS, Pirates (age 20)
2. Kevin McGonigle, SS/3B, Tigers (age 21)
3. Josue De Paula, OF, Dodgers (age 21)
4. J.J. Wetherholt, 2B, Cardinals (age 23)
5. Max Clark, OF, Tigers (age 21)
6. Bryce Eldridge, 1B, Giants (age 21)
7. Kade Anderson, LHP, Mariners (age 21)
8. Ethan Salas, C, Padres (age 20)
9. George Lombard Jr., SS, Yankees (age 21)
10. Carter Jensen, C, Royals (age 22)
11. Samuel Basallo, C/1B, Orioles (age 21)
12. Colt Emerson, SS/3B, Mariners (age 20)
13. Walker Jenkins, OF, Twins (age 21)
14. Carson Benge, OF, Mets (age 23)
15. Chase DeLauter, OF, Guardians (age 24)
16. Nolan McLean, RHP, Mets (age 24)
17. Payton Tolle, LHP, Red Sox (age 23)
18. Bubba Chandler, RHP, Pirates (age 23)
19. Cooper Pratt, SS, Brewers (age 21)
20. Parker Messick, LHP, Guardians (age 25)
21. Travis Bazzana, 2B, Guardians (age 23)
22. A.J. Ewing, OF, Mets (age 21)
23. Sal Stewart, 1B/3B, Reds (age 22)
24. Kaelen Culpepper, SS, Twins (age 23)
25. Trey Yesavage, RHP, Blue Jays (age 22)
I went 40 deep in the original article, and you can check out the rest of the rankings in the link above.
De Paula was easy to place because of his huge offensive ceiling, but the other non-graduates were tough. I go back and forth on whether Anderson might be a tad high and Salas a bit low. Jenkins is difficult to gauge because of all the time he's missed with injuries, while Culpepper is the oldest of this bunch but also talented.