SURPRISE – As the Arizona Fall League barnstorms through the Valley, some of MLB’s top prospects can be found golfing, fishing and jumping into the pool during their downtime. The AFL is in full swing, making its rounds as the premier experience for minor league talent to hone their skills and play competitive baseball during what is normally considered the offseason.
Every autumn, prospects from every major league team come together in Glendale, Mesa, Scottsdale, Surprise, Peoria and Salt River to show off their talents. All 30 MLB teams are affiliated with the six AFL teams, sending their top prospects to get in some offseason work in games that run through mid-November.
The talent level in the fall league is elite as always with eight top 100 prospects participating this year, including a pair of top 10 prospects. Past players who blossomed into modern-day MLB stars, such as Mike Trout, Bryce Harper, Ronald Acuña and Aaron Judge, all spent time in the AFL before bursting onto the world scene.
Texas Rangers’ Sebastian Walcott and the Detroit Tigers’ Kevin McGonigle, both infielders and both No. 1 prospects, will use their fall league performance to work toward making the major league roster next season.
Other top prospects such as Charlie Condon, the Colorado Rockies’ No. 2 prospect, will use the AFL as a way to elongate a season that was interrupted multiple times by a struggle with injuries.
“I had been told basically the day after I broke my wrist to not make any offseason plans because it’s gonna be made up of these kinds of events,” said Condon, who plays first base and outfield. “I’m definitely excited to be out here and to finish these games up.”
While preparing for his time in the AFL and recovering from injury, Condon found himself baiting a hook and exploring fishing holes in Arizona.
“Me and a couple of the other guys who were rehabbing did our best to find some fishing around here,” Condon said. “We got some catfish and some carp, while we had some time to fill down here.”
Condon wasn’t the only player looking for hobbies to fill his free time in Arizona. McGonigle headed for the links, enjoying some of the premier golf courses in Arizona.
Colorado Rockies No. 2 prospect Charlie Condon, right, prepares to tag the runner on a pickoff attempt during the Rafters’ game against the Desert Dogs Oct. 26. (Photo by Hana Kaufman/Cronkite News)
“I shot an 81 out here and that’s the best I’ve ever shot,” McGonigle said. “I’m looking to break 80 at some point while I’m here, but it’s tough…I started playing about three years ago, and I feel like it doesn’t affect my (baseball) swing, so I just play whenever I get the chance.”
McGonigle, a native of Aldan, Pennsylvania, has rocketed his way up through the minor leagues and finished the season in Double-A, helping the Tigers’ high-A affiliate win the Midwest League title on his way. McGonigle hopes to force the Tigers’ hand to continue to push him through the ranks with strong performances and give him a chance at the major league level.
“Keeping the same attitude, playing the same way I played since I was younger, and playing the game the right way…that will help me get up there at some point,” McGonigle said.
Max Anderson, another Scottsdale Scorpion, and McGonigle’s teammate, has been on fire early in the AFL season. Anderson, the No. 9 prospect for Detroit, finished his season in Triple-A, just a step ahead of McGonigle.
Anderson has been a standout in the AFL, boasting a .488 average and a 1.552 OPS in 41 at-bats for the Scorpions. The 23-year-old second baseman has found his groove during his first extended trip in Arizona.
“I‘ve been loving it,” Anderson said. “This is my first time really out in Arizona. I thought the weather was gonna be a lot hotter, but it’s been perfect.”
Along with posting ludicrous offensive stats, Anderson has been focused on his glove during the offseason and is trying to improve his game defensively.
“Locking in on the defensive side of the ball here, focused on hitting the ball as well, of course, but not as much as I am when it comes to defense,” Anderson said. “Getting stronger and being prepared at third base and shortstop for next spring… everything else will fall into place if I just stay locked in and keep a consistent offseason.”
While the players in the Arizona Fall League are focused on the competition, self-improvement, and hard work that comes along with the offseason, it never hurts to hit the links, throw a line in the water and enjoy the Arizona weather.
“We’re all happy to be out here playing baseball,” Anderson said. “Enjoying the golf and all the stuff out here with the boys, everyone’s bonding, hanging out at the pool, it’s good times for sure.”
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Golfing, fishing and fielding: MLB prospects make the most of time in the Valley during Arizona Fall League
Dane Palmer, Cronkite News
November 5, 2025
SURPRISE – As the Arizona Fall League barnstorms through the Valley, some of MLB’s top prospects can be found golfing, fishing and jumping into the pool during their downtime. The AFL is in full swing, making its rounds as the premier experience for minor league talent to hone their skills and play competitive baseball during what is normally considered the offseason.
Every autumn, prospects from every major league team come together in Glendale, Mesa, Scottsdale, Surprise, Peoria and Salt River to show off their talents. All 30 MLB teams are affiliated with the six AFL teams, sending their top prospects to get in some offseason work in games that run through mid-November.
The talent level in the fall league is elite as always with eight top 100 prospects participating this year, including a pair of top 10 prospects. Past players who blossomed into modern-day MLB stars, such as Mike Trout, Bryce Harper, Ronald Acuña and Aaron Judge, all spent time in the AFL before bursting onto the world scene.
Texas Rangers’ Sebastian Walcott and the Detroit Tigers’ Kevin McGonigle, both infielders and both No. 1 prospects, will use their fall league performance to work toward making the major league roster next season.
Other top prospects such as Charlie Condon, the Colorado Rockies’ No. 2 prospect, will use the AFL as a way to elongate a season that was interrupted multiple times by a struggle with injuries.
“I had been told basically the day after I broke my wrist to not make any offseason plans because it’s gonna be made up of these kinds of events,” said Condon, who plays first base and outfield. “I’m definitely excited to be out here and to finish these games up.”
While preparing for his time in the AFL and recovering from injury, Condon found himself baiting a hook and exploring fishing holes in Arizona.
“Me and a couple of the other guys who were rehabbing did our best to find some fishing around here,” Condon said. “We got some catfish and some carp, while we had some time to fill down here.”
Condon wasn’t the only player looking for hobbies to fill his free time in Arizona. McGonigle headed for the links, enjoying some of the premier golf courses in Arizona.
“I shot an 81 out here and that’s the best I’ve ever shot,” McGonigle said. “I’m looking to break 80 at some point while I’m here, but it’s tough…I started playing about three years ago, and I feel like it doesn’t affect my (baseball) swing, so I just play whenever I get the chance.”
McGonigle, a native of Aldan, Pennsylvania, has rocketed his way up through the minor leagues and finished the season in Double-A, helping the Tigers’ high-A affiliate win the Midwest League title on his way. McGonigle hopes to force the Tigers’ hand to continue to push him through the ranks with strong performances and give him a chance at the major league level.
“Keeping the same attitude, playing the same way I played since I was younger, and playing the game the right way…that will help me get up there at some point,” McGonigle said.
Max Anderson, another Scottsdale Scorpion, and McGonigle’s teammate, has been on fire early in the AFL season. Anderson, the No. 9 prospect for Detroit, finished his season in Triple-A, just a step ahead of McGonigle.
Anderson has been a standout in the AFL, boasting a .488 average and a 1.552 OPS in 41 at-bats for the Scorpions. The 23-year-old second baseman has found his groove during his first extended trip in Arizona.
“I‘ve been loving it,” Anderson said. “This is my first time really out in Arizona. I thought the weather was gonna be a lot hotter, but it’s been perfect.”
Along with posting ludicrous offensive stats, Anderson has been focused on his glove during the offseason and is trying to improve his game defensively.
“Locking in on the defensive side of the ball here, focused on hitting the ball as well, of course, but not as much as I am when it comes to defense,” Anderson said. “Getting stronger and being prepared at third base and shortstop for next spring… everything else will fall into place if I just stay locked in and keep a consistent offseason.”
While the players in the Arizona Fall League are focused on the competition, self-improvement, and hard work that comes along with the offseason, it never hurts to hit the links, throw a line in the water and enjoy the Arizona weather.
“We’re all happy to be out here playing baseball,” Anderson said. “Enjoying the golf and all the stuff out here with the boys, everyone’s bonding, hanging out at the pool, it’s good times for sure.”
This article first appeared on Cronkite News and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
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