Greetings from Scottsdale.
I’m in the middle of my two-week Arizona Fall League shift for MLB Pipeline. Just long enough to have a good assortment of notes. Just short enough that I still have a list of players I’d like to see more before I depart next Monday, though to be frank that list involves everyone before we enter yet another cold baseball-less winter.
But after watching games, interviewing players and following the AFL since its Opening Day, I do want to share some observations and thoughts that I’ll likely carry from the autumn and into the offseason:
Jordan Walker is nearly ready: Given the way the Cardinals used their 2021 AFL class in the Majors this summer, we know that the organization likes to treat the Fall League as a prospect finishing school. Considering Walker had an .898 OPS over a full season at Double-A at just 20 years old, we knew he was close too. St. Louis further demonstrated that by moving him away from third base -- Nolan Arenado isn’t opting out, in case you haven’t heard -- and into the outfield.
Walker’s defense and bat have played just fine in the Fall League. Though he’s gotten a few reps in center, he has looked like a better fit for right field, where he’s already showcased a Major League-ready arm. Entering Tuesday, he is tied for the league lead in homers with five and has a .290/.361/.597 line in 72 plate appearances.
To hear Walker discuss his approach and constant desire to stay on top of his adjustments, you can tell that his offense can transfer beyond Arizona and the Texas League. I don’t know where or how Walker squeezes in an already crowded St. Louis outfield corps, but I know this -- he’s an outfielder you make room for.
Carson Whisenhunt’s changeup is nasty: There’s a good chance Whisenhunt would have gone much higher than 66th overall to the Giants in June, if not for a positive test for a performance-enhancing drug that led to a season-long suspension at East Carolina. Even so, he entered pro ball with a 65-grade changeup, and after a COVID absence, the 22-year-old southpaw got to show all 65 points of that low-80s cambio in his Scottsdale debut Saturday.
He got 10 whiffs on the changeup alone. He accomplished it in only two innings and 26 total pitches. Whisenhunt’s change looks much like his low-90s fastball out of the hand only to dive-bomb seemingly at the last milli-second. It might be the best pitch I’ve seen all fall.
Put Evan Reifert on your radar: Earlier this summer, the Rays right-hander moved back to extended spring training to focus on his control. Now, he might be the Fall League’s most dominant pitcher.
Entering Tuesday, the 23-year-old has struck out 20 batters in 9 2/3 innings (33 batters faced) for Mesa. He’s yet to allow a run or even a hit.
Reifert can sit in the mid-90s with his fastball, but it’s his mid-80s slider that makes him nearly untouchable. He actually commands the breaking stuff better than the heater too, and AFL hitters have been no match for it. The Rays tend to know how to best utilize relief prospects with good stuff, so don’t be surprised if Reifert jumps to Tampa Bay next summer.
Zac Veen is going to be a burner: We have the Rockies’ top prospect down for 55-grade speed. He might have 70-grade baserunning aggression.
After stealing 55 bags in the regular season, Veen leads the AFL with 14 thefts in 16 attempts over 17 games with Salt River. You may have also seen the clip of him taking second base on a walk, hustling for the extra bag after a wild pitch. With long and lithe limbs, Veen is willing to push the envelope whenever he’s presented an opportunity, and he might only be less than a year away from assuming a leadoff spot in Denver.