Arizona Fall League
{{short description|Off-season baseball league in the United States}}
{{distinguish|text=the Arizona Complex League, a summer rookie league}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{Infobox sports league
| logo = Arizona Fall League logo.svg
| sport = Baseball
| founded = 1992
| teams = 6
| country = United States
| champion = Salt River Rafters (2024)
| most_champs = Peoria Javelinas (7)
| website = {{URL|https://www.mlb.com/arizona-fall-league}}
}}
The Arizona Fall League (AFL){{efn|Some websites, such as Baseball-Reference.com, use an abbreviation of AZFL.}} is an off-season baseball league owned and operated by Major League Baseball (MLB) which operates during autumn in Arizona, United States, at six different baseball complexes. Arizona Fall League rosters are filled by many of the top prospects in Minor League Baseball (MiLB) who are assigned by their parent clubs.
Structure
File:AZFallLeague.SaltRiverRafters.jpg with the Salt River Rafters in 2014 while a member of the Colorado Rockies organization; he made his major league debut with the Baltimore Orioles in 2016]]
File:Brandon Marsh and Victor Victor Mesa.jpg (left) and Víctor Víctor Mesa prior to the 2019 Fall Stars Game]]
The six teams of the AFL are organized in two three-team divisions. Each AFL team is affiliated with five teams in Major League Baseball (MLB), and each MLB team provides seven players from their Minor League Baseball affiliates, yielding 35-man rosters.{{cite press release |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/documents/2008/08/26/3370621/1/2008_AFL_Rosters.pdf |title=Arizona Fall League Announces 2008 Rosters |publisher=Arizona Fall League |via=MLB.com |date=August 26, 2008 |access-date=November 21, 2021}} Specific players are invited (not assigned) to play in the AFL by their parent club.{{cite web |url=https://www.thecubreporter.com/book/export/html/3812 |title=Arizona Fall League & AZ Instructional League |website=thecubreporter.com |date=2021 |access-date=November 21, 2021}} The league provides an environment for top prospects to advance their development, in a setting that MLB governs and monitors, as opposed to other offseason leagues (such as the Puerto Rican Winter League) located outside of the contiguous United States.{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/arizona-fall-league/about/ |title=About the AFL |website=MLB.com |access-date=April 25, 2021}}
Player eligibility has changed over time; as of 2008, each MLB organization could only provide one player below the Double-A level, and before 2019 there were service-time limits for any players on the 40-man roster of an MLB team, but as of 2021 all players within an MLB organization are eligible. Free agents are not eligible. The seven players each MLB organization provides consist of four pitchers and three position players. Positional needs for each AFL team (e.g. catchers) are coordinated between player development directors of the affiliated MLB organizations via a "position draft". An MLB organization can assign more than three position players; such players serve as a taxi squad for the AFL team and are limited to playing two games each week.
Play generally begins in early October (10/7 for 2024) and runs until mid-November, although play continued into early December for the first five seasons that the league operated. Each team plays approximately 30 games; schedule length has varied somewhat during the league's history. Following the end of the league's regular season, the two division winners meet in a championship game.
Players wear uniforms of their respective MLB parent club, along with an AFL team-specific hat. The league had its own team-specific uniforms before 1998 and in 2019. The manager, pitching coach, and hitting coach of each AFL team are provided by MLB organizations on a rotating basis.
Each team plays home games at its own ballpark, each of which currently has a seating capacity in excess of 10,000 spectators. For the 2019 season, only four venues were used due to ballpark renovation work.{{cite news |url=https://ballparkdigest.com/2019/03/20/mlb-moves-up-arizona-fall-league-schedule-for-2019/ |title=MLB Moves Up Arizona Fall League Schedule for 2019 |website=BallparkDigest.com |date=March 20, 2019 |access-date=September 24, 2019}}
The league has organized an annual all-star game since 2006.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/76488823/rafters-call-surprise-stadium-home-for-f/ |title=Rafters call Surprise Stadium home for Fall League baseball |newspaper=The Arizona Republic |location=Phoenix, Arizona |page=41 |date=October 18, 2006 |access-date=April 25, 2021 |via=newspapers.com}} Initially known as the "Rising Stars Showcase",{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88903266/a-ball-in-the-fall/ |title=A ball in the fall |first=Joseph A. |last=Reaves |website=The Arizona Republic |page=C2 |date=October 8, 2006 |access-date=November 14, 2021 |via=newspapers.com}} it has been branded as the "Fall Stars Game" since at least 2013. Included in the 2022 season was the Homerun derby.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88903393/barrett-stites-manage-to-earn-spots-as/ |title=Barrett, Stites manage to earn spots as Stars |first=Zach |last=Buchanan |newspaper=The Arizona Republic |location=Phoenix, Arizona |page=C14 |date=November 3, 2013 |access-date=November 14, 2021 |via=newspapers.com}} Players for the game are selected by league staff, scouting and farm directors, and MLB.com writers.{{cite news |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/fall-stars-game-arizona-fall-league-rosters |title=Here are Saturday's Fall Stars Game rosters |first=Jonathan |last=Mayo |website=MLB.com |date=October 10, 2019 |access-date=April 25, 2021}}
History
The league's inaugural season was 1992, during which each team played a 54-game schedule that ended in early December.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/76491897/arizona-fall-league-falling-into-place/ |title=Arizona Fall League falling into place |first=Javier |last=Morales |newspaper=Arizona Daily Star |location=Tucson, Arizona |page=4 |date=September 24, 1992 |access-date=April 25, 2021 |via=newspapers.com}} The divisions and teams that season were:{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/76498829/baseball-notebook/ |title=Baseball notebook |first=Larry |last=Stone |newspaper=North County Times |location=Oceanside, California |page=20 |date=September 22, 1992 |access-date=April 25, 2021 |via=newspapers.com}}
- Northern division: Grand Canyon Rafters, Scottsdale Scorpions, Sun Cities Solar Sox
- Southern division: Chandler Diamondbacks, Phoenix Saguaros, Tucson Javelinas
The league's first game was played on October 6, 1992,{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89548233/officials-from-development-league-welcom/ |title=Officials from development league welcome opening day |newspaper=Times-News |location=Twin Falls, Idaho |page=A-7 |date=October 6, 1992 |access-date=November 25, 2021 |via=newspapers.com}} with the Grand Canyon Rafters defeating the Scottsdale Scorpions, 6–4.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89548347/baseball/ |title=Baseball |newspaper=The Sacramento Bee |location=Sacramento, California |page=F6 |date=October 7, 1992 |access-date=November 25, 2021 |via=newspapers.com}}
Before the 1994 season, the Javelinas relocated from Tucson to Peoria, to limit travel distances to the Phoenix metropolitan area.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89547721/javelinas-will-make-trek-to-phoenix-pe/ |title=Javelinas will make trek to Phoenix – permanently |newspaper=Arizona Daily Star |page=C2 |date=April 11, 1994 |access-date=November 25, 2021 |via=newspapers.com}} All teams have been located in greater Phoenix since then.
Since 1995, when the Diamondbacks became the Desert Dogs, no team has changed its nickname. However, each team has changed its location at least once during its history. The most recent change was by the Desert Dogs, who moved from Phoenix to Glendale in 2013.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89301112/fall-league-team-moving-to-w-valley/ |title=Fall League team moving to W. Valley |first=Cale |last=Ottens |newspaper=The Arizona Republic |page=B2 |date=April 14, 2013 |access-date=November 21, 2021 |via=newspapers.com}}
File:Jordan Scorpions.jpg during his time with the Scottsdale Scorpions]]
For the 1998 season, organizers rostered players onto each Arizona Fall League team from a single division in MLB:{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89301709/mesa-loses-fall-league-team/ |title=Mesa loses Fall League team |first=Jim |last=Walsh |newspaper=The Arizona Republic |page=6 EV |date=October 11, 1998 |access-date=November 21, 2021 |via=newspapers.com}}
{{col-begin|width=66%}}
{{col-break}}
- American League East – Grand Canyon Rafters
- American League Central – Phoenix Desert Dogs
- American League West – Peoria Javelinas
{{col-break}}
- National League East – Sun Cities Solar Sox
- National League Central – Maryvale Saguaros
- National League West – Scottsdale Scorpions
{{col-end}}
In 2007, the United States national baseball team and China national baseball team played several games against AFL teams;{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89341397/season-to-open-today-in-the-valley/ |title=Season to open today in the Valley |newspaper=The Arizona Republic |page=C4 |date=October 9, 2007 |access-date=November 21, 2021 |via=newspapers.com}} both teams were later competitors in baseball at the 2008 Summer Olympics. In 2019, the Mesa Solar Sox participated in the Vamos a Tucson Mexican Baseball Fiesta in early October, facing teams of the Mexican Pacific League.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89342501/four-day-baseball-party-returns-with-so/ |title=Four-day baseball party returns, with Solar Sox replacing Wildcats |first=Ryan |last=Finley |newspaper=Arizona Daily Star |page=C1 |date=October 3, 2019 |access-date=November 21, 2021 |via=newspapers.com}}
In 2019, the league adopted a new logo.{{cite news |url=https://news.sportslogos.net/2019/07/23/mlb-unveils-new-logo-for-arizona-fall-league/baseball/ |title=MLB unveils new logo for Arizona Fall League |first=Paul |last=Caputo |website=sportslogos.net |date= July 23, 2019 |access-date=April 25, 2021}} In 2020, the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite news |url=https://www.milb.com/news/2020-arizona-fall-league-season-canceled |title=2020 Arizona Fall League season canceled |first=Tyler |last=Maun |website=MiLB.com |date=September 21, 2020 |access-date=April 25, 2021}}
A number of future MLB All-Stars have had stints in the Arizona Fall League; over 300, per the league's website. These include David Wright (2003), Dustin Pedroia (2004), Andre Ethier (2005), Bryce Harper (2010–2011), Nolan Arenado (2011), Mike Trout (2011), Mookie Betts (2013), Aaron Judge (2014), Gleyber Torres (2016), and Ronald Acuña Jr. (2017).Baseball-Reference.com minor-league records for each player. Retrieved April 25, 2021. In 1994, Michael Jordan played for Scottsdale during his time away from the NBA.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/76486774/baseball-mad-jordan-scorpions-account/ |title=Baseball mad: Jordan, Scorpions account for 80 percent of Arizona Fall League's attendance |agency=Associated Press |newspaper=The Herald-Palladium |location=St. Joseph, Michigan |page=16 |date=November 15, 1994 |access-date=April 25, 2021 |via=newspapers.com}} Similarly, former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow played for Scottsdale in 2016 during his foray into professional baseball.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2016/10/11/tim-tebow-arizona-fall-league-debut/91905824/|title=Tim Tebow makes Arizona Fall League debut, crashes into wall |first=Josh |last=Peter |website=USA Today |date=October 11, 2016 |access-date=November 19, 2016}}
Current teams
{{location map+ |USA Arizona Maricopa County |float=right|width=300|caption=Current team locations:
(Maricopa County, Arizona shown)
|places=
{{location map~ |USA Arizona Maricopa County |lat=33.4313|long=-111.8816|mark = Red pog.svg|label=Solar
Sox|position=bottom}}
{{location map~ |USA Arizona Maricopa County |lat=33.546111|long=-111.885278|mark = Red pog.svg|label=Rafters|position=top}}
{{location map~ |USA Arizona Maricopa County |lat=33.488333|long=-111.921111|mark = Red pog.svg|label=Scorpions|position=right}}
{{location map~ |USA Arizona Maricopa County |lat=33.514167|long=-112.295833|mark = Red pog.svg|label=Desert
Dogs|position=bottom}}
{{location map~ |USA Arizona Maricopa County |lat=33.6319|long=-112.2332|mark = Red pog.svg|label=Javelinas|position=top}}
{{location map~ |USA Arizona Maricopa County |lat=33.627778|long=-112.377778|mark = Red pog.svg|label=Saguaros|position=left}}
}}
Each stadium hosts one or two of its MLB affiliates, denoted in bold, during spring training.
Each listed city is in Arizona. Team affiliations reflect the 2024 season.{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/arizona-fall-league |title=Arizona Fall League |website=MLB.com |accessdate=October 6, 2023}}
Results by season
Results for each team since the league's inaugural 1992 season are listed below. Teams are listed by their nicknames only, independent of location, as various team locations have changed over time. Tie games are not listed, as they are excluded from winning percentage calculations, which determine division standings. The best winning percentage for a season was by the Saguaros who went 26–10 (.722) in 2011, while the worst was by the Saguaros in 2002 with a record of 11–32 (.256).
Through 1997, teams were organized into Northern and Southern divisions. For the 1998 season, American and National divisions were designated. From 1999 to 2021, the divisions were named East and West, except for four seasons (2003–2005 and 2008) when American and National naming was again used.
As of the 2022 season, divisions have been eliminated. The top three teams in the final regular season standings qualify for the postseason. The second- and third-place teams meet in a play-in semi-final game, with the winner facing the first-place team in the championship game.
Division winners appear in bold type from 1992 to 2021; beginning with 2022, the top three teams that qualify for the postseason appear in bold type. Tie-breaking procedures (such as between the Saguaros and Javelinas in 2021 for the West division title) are unclear.
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size: 95%;" |
rowspan=2|Year
!colspan=2|Desert Dogs{{efn|The Desert Dogs were known as the Diamondbacks during 1992–1994.}} !colspan=2|Javelinas !colspan=2|Rafters !colspan=2|Saguaros !colspan=2|Scorpions !colspan=2|Solar Sox !rowspan=2|Ref. |
---|
Record || Finish
! Record || Finish ! Record || Finish ! Record || Finish ! Record || Finish ! Record || Finish |
1992
| {{winpct|20|33|record=y}} || 3rd South | {{winpct|25|26|record=y}} || 2nd South | {{winpct|26|27|record=y}} || 2nd North | {{winpct|33|18|record=y}} || 1st South | {{winpct|25|28|record=y}} || 3rd North | {{winpct|28|25|record=y}} || 1st North | {{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89546463/arizona-fall-league-standings/ |title=Arizona Fall League (standings) |newspaper=Arizona Daily Star |page=C5 |date=December 7, 1992 |access-date=November 25, 2021 |via=newspapers.com}} |
1993
| {{winpct|28|21|record=y}} || 2nd South | {{winpct|32|17|record=y}} || 1st South | {{winpct|26|22|record=y}} || 1st North | {{winpct|17|32|record=y}} || 3rd South | {{winpct|22|27|record=y}} || 2nd North | {{winpct|21|27|record=y}} || 3rd North | {{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89546030/arizona-fall-league-standings/ |title=Arizona Fall League (standings) |newspaper=The Arizona Republic |page=F8 |date=December 3, 1993 |access-date=November 25, 2021 |via=newspapers.com}} |
1994
| {{winpct|20|30|record=y}} || 2nd South | {{winpct|32|19|record=y}} || 1st North | {{winpct|19|31|record=y}} || 3rd South | {{winpct|32|18|record=y}} || 1st South | {{winpct|26|25|record=y}} || 2nd North | {{winpct|22|28|record=y}} || 3rd North | {{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89545691/arizona-fall-league-standings/ |title=Arizona Fall League (standings) |newspaper=The Arizona Republic |page=D10 |date=December 2, 1994 |access-date=November 25, 2021 |via=newspapers.com}} |
1995
| {{winpct|23|28|record=y}} || 2nd South | {{winpct|28|23|record=y}} || 2nd North | {{winpct|22|28|record=y}} || 3rd South | {{winpct|33|18|record=y}} || 1st South | {{winpct|16|34|record=y}} || 3rd North | {{winpct|30|21|record=y}} || 1st North | {{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89544923/arizona-fall-league-standings/ |title=Arizona Fall League (standings) |newspaper=The Arizona Republic |page=C14 |date=December 1, 1995 |access-date=November 25, 2021 |via=newspapers.com}} |
1996
| {{winpct|26|25|record=y}} || 2nd South | {{winpct|25|26|record=y}} || 2nd North | {{winpct|22|29|record=y}} || 3rd South | {{winpct|27|24|record=y}} || 1st South | {{winpct|29|22|record=y}} || 1st North | {{winpct|25|26|record=y}} || 3rd North | {{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89540513/arizona-fall-league-standings/ |title=Arizona Fall League (standings) |newspaper=The Arizona Republic |page=C19 |date=December 7, 1996 |access-date=November 25, 2021 |via=newspapers.com}} |
1997
| {{winpct|21|24|record=y}} || 2nd South | {{winpct|28|17|record=y}} || 1st North | {{winpct|29|16|record=y}} || 1st South | {{winpct|15|30|record=y}} || 3rd South | {{winpct|20|25|record=y}} || 3rd North | {{winpct|22|23|record=y}} || 2nd North | {{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89539108/arizona-fall-league-standings/ |title=Arizona Fall League (standings) |newspaper=The Arizona Republic |page=C2 |date=November 21, 1997 |access-date=November 25, 2021 |via=newspapers.com}} |
1998
| {{winpct|21|22|record=y}} || 3rd AL | {{winpct|23|21|record=y}} || 2nd AL | {{winpct|26|18|record=y}} || 1st AL | {{winpct|19|25|record=y}} || 3rd NL | {{winpct|20|23|record=y}} || 2nd NL | {{winpct|22|22|record=y}} || 1st NL | {{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89537931/arizona-fall-league-standings/ |title=Arizona Fall League (standings) |newspaper=The Arizona Republic |page=C14 |date=November 20, 1998 |access-date=November 25, 2021 |via=newspapers.com}} |
1999
| {{winpct|25|19|record=y}} || 2nd East | {{winpct|17|27|record=y}} || 3rd West | {{winpct|17|27|record=y}} || 2nd West | {{winpct|17|27|record=y}} || 1st West | {{winpct|25|19|record=y}} || 3rd East | {{winpct|31|13|record=y}} || 1st East | {{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89537506/arizona-fall-league-standings/ |title=Arizona Fall League (standings) |newspaper=The Arizona Republic |page=C14 |date=November 19, 1999 |access-date=November 25, 2021 |via=newspapers.com}} |
2000
| {{winpct|25|16|record=y}} || 1st East | {{winpct|19|22|record=y}} || 2nd West | {{winpct|20|21|record=y}} || 1st West | {{winpct|19|22|record=y}} || 3rd West | {{winpct|25|16|record=y}} || 2nd East | {{winpct|14|26|record=y}} || 3rd East | {{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89358074/arizona-fall-league-standings/ |title=Arizona Fall League (standings) |newspaper=The Arizona Republic |page=C16 |date=November 17, 2000 |access-date=November 21, 2021 |via=newspapers.com}} |
2001
| {{winpct|25|16|record=y}} || 1st East | {{winpct|21|10|record=y}} || 2nd West | {{winpct|26|15|record=y}} || 1st West | {{winpct|12|29|record=y}} || 3rd West | {{winpct|22|19|record=y}} || 2nd East | {{winpct|17|24|record=y}} || 3rd East | {{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89357658/arizona-fall-league-standings/ |title=Arizona Fall League (standings) |newspaper=The Arizona Republic |page=C12 |date=November 16, 2001 |access-date=November 21, 2021 |via=newspapers.com}} |
2002
| {{winpct|25|19|record=y}} || 2nd East | {{winpct|26|17|record=y}} || 1st West | {{winpct|20|23|record=y}} || 2nd West | {{winpct|11|32|record=y}} || 3rd West | {{winpct|29|15|record=y}} || 1st East | {{winpct|19|24|record=y}} || 3rd East | {{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89356406/arizona-fall-league-standings/ |title=Arizona Fall League (standings) |newspaper=The Arizona Republic |page=C21 |date=November 24, 2002 |access-date=November 21, 2021 |via=newspapers.com}} |
2003
| {{winpct|18|13|record=y}} || 1st NL | {{winpct|9|22|record=y}} || 3rd NL | {{winpct|13|18|record=y}} || 2nd NL | {{winpct|17|16|record=y}} || 3rd AL | {{winpct|16|15|record=y}} || 2nd AL | {{winpct|20|13|record=y}} || 1st AL | {{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89355939/arizona-fall-league-standings/ |title=Arizona Fall League (standings) |newspaper=The Arizona Republic |page=C16 |date=November 14, 2003 |access-date=November 21, 2021 |via=newspapers.com}} |
2004
| {{winpct|21|15|record=y}} || 1st NL | {{winpct|16|21|record=y}} || 2nd NL | {{winpct|18|17|record=y}} || 3rd NL | {{winpct|17|17|record=y}} || 2nd AL | {{winpct|21|15|record=y}} || 1st AL | {{winpct|14|22|record=y}} || 3rd AL | {{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89355336/arizona-fall-league-standings/ |title=Arizona Fall League (standings) |newspaper=The Arizona Republic |page=C14 |date=November 19, 2004 |access-date=November 21, 2021 |via=newspapers.com}} |
2005
| {{winpct|22|10|record=y}} || 1st NL | {{winpct|17|14|record=y}} || 2nd NL | {{winpct|16|16|record=y}} || 3rd NL | {{winpct|8|23|record=y}} || 3rd AL | {{winpct|17|15|record=y}} || 1st AL | {{winpct|15|17|record=y}} || 2nd AL | {{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=4839f3d3 |title=2005 Arizona Fall League |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=November 21, 2021}} |
2006
| {{winpct|20|11|record=y}} || 1st East | {{winpct|14|18|record=y}} || 3rd West | {{winpct|16|16|record=y}} || 1st West | {{winpct|15|17|record=y}} || 2nd West | {{winpct|15|17|record=y}} || 3rd East | {{winpct|15|16|record=y}} || 2nd East | {{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=b67f2b09 |title=2006 Arizona Fall League |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=November 21, 2021}} |
2007
| {{winpct|20|11|record=y}} || 1st East | {{winpct|17|15|record=y}} || 2nd West | {{winpct|19|13|record=y}} || 1st West | {{winpct|10|22|record=y}} || 3rd West | {{winpct|16|16|record=y}} || 2nd East | {{winpct|14|17|record=y}} || 3rd East | {{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=360ab227 |title=2007 Arizona Fall League |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=November 21, 2021}} |
2008
| {{winpct|18|18|record=y}} || 1st NL | {{winpct|16|22|record=y}} || 2nd NL | {{winpct|12|26|record=y}} || 3rd NL | {{winpct|26|12|record=y}} || 2nd AL | {{winpct|14|22|record=y}} || 3rd AL | {{winpct|26|12|record=y}} || 1st AL | {{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=d500c798 |title=2008 Arizona Fall League |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=November 21, 2021}} |
2009
| {{winpct|19|13|record=y}} || 1st East | {{winpct|18|14|record=y}} || 1st West | {{winpct|16|16|record=y}} || 2nd West | {{winpct|14|18|record=y}} || 3rd West | {{winpct|15|16|record=y}} || 2nd East | {{winpct|13|18|record=y}} || 3rd East | {{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=95d70b27 |title=2009 Arizona Fall League |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=November 21, 2021}} |
2010
| {{winpct|11|17|record=y}} || 3rd East | {{winpct|20|10|record=y}} || 1st West | {{winpct|17|12|record=y}} || 2nd West | {{winpct|9|22|record=y}} || 3rd West | {{winpct|20|12|record=y}} || 1st East | {{winpct|13|17|record=y}} || 2nd East | {{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=f995cfde |title=2010 Arizona Fall League |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=November 21, 2021}} |
2011
| {{winpct|14|22|record=y}} || 3rd West | {{winpct|16|19|record=y}} || 2nd West | {{winpct|22|16|record=y}} || 1st East | {{winpct|26|10|record=y}} || 1st West | {{winpct|14|22|record=y}} || 3rd East | {{winpct|17|20|record=y}} || 2nd East | {{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=8bc2c6a2 |title=2011 Arizona Fall League |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=November 21, 2021}} |
2012
| {{winpct|13|15|record=y}} || 3rd West | {{winpct|19|13|record=y}} || 1st West | {{winpct|17|13|record=y}} || 1st East | {{winpct|17|14|record=y}} || 2nd West | {{winpct|15|16|record=y}} || 2nd East | {{winpct|10|20|record=y}} || 3rd East | {{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=2ea90300 |title=2012 Arizona Fall League |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=November 21, 2021}} |
2013
| {{winpct|13|16|record=y}} || 2nd West | {{winpct|12|19|record=y}} || 3rd West | {{winpct|19|12|record=y}} || 2nd East | {{winpct|18|12|record=y}} || 1st West | {{winpct|10|21|record=y}} || 3rd East | {{winpct|19|11|record=y}} || 1st East | {{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=f9262129 |title=2013 Arizona Fall League |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=November 21, 2021}} |
2014
| {{winpct|14|15|record=y}} || 3rd West | {{winpct|15|14|record=y}} || 1st West | {{winpct|17|11|record=y}} || 1st East | {{winpct|16|15|record=y}} || 2nd West | {{winpct|12|20|record=y}} || 3rd East | {{winpct|15|14|record=y}} || 2nd East | {{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=d5b9a18e |title=2014 Arizona Fall League |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=November 21, 2021}} |
2015
| {{winpct|13|15|record=y}} || 2nd West | {{winpct|12|15|record=y}} || 3rd West | {{winpct|16|13|record=y}} || 2nd East | {{winpct|19|11|record=y}} || 1st West | {{winpct|18|12|record=y}} || 1st East | {{winpct|9|21|record=y}} || 3rd East | {{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=c63fb600 |title=2015 Arizona Fall League |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=November 21, 2021}} |
2016
| {{winpct|17|15|record=y}} || 2nd West | {{winpct|14|15|record=y}} || 3rd West | {{winpct|15|15|record=y}} || 2nd East | {{winpct|17|14|record=y}} || 1st West | {{winpct|13|18|record=y}} || 3rd East | {{winpct|16|15|record=y}} || 1st East | {{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=bbe884e3 |title=2016 Arizona Fall League |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=November 21, 2021}} |
2017
| {{winpct|16|14|record=y}} || 2nd West | {{winpct|18|12|record=y}} || 1st West | {{winpct|13|15|record=y}} || 2nd East | {{winpct|13|17|record=y}} || 3rd West | {{winpct|12|17|record=y}} || 3rd East | {{winpct|16|13|record=y}} || 1st East | {{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=5e93c6fc |title=2017 Arizona Fall League |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=November 21, 2021}} |
2018
| {{winpct|12|18|record=y}} || 2nd West | {{winpct|21|9|record=y}} || 1st West | {{winpct|16|14|record=y}} || 1st East | {{winpct|11|19|record=y}} || 3rd West | {{winpct|14|15|record=y}} || 3rd East | {{winpct|15|14|record=y}} || 2nd East | {{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=8be13145 |title=2018 Arizona Fall League |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=November 21, 2021}} |
2019
| {{winpct|14|15|record=y}} || 2nd West | {{winpct|14|15|record=y}} || 3rd West | {{winpct|17|11|record=y}} || 1st East | {{winpct|17|12|record=y}} || 1st West | {{winpct|12|17|record=y}} || 3rd East | {{winpct|15|13|record=y}} || 2nd East | {{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=97215cc7 |title=2019 Arizona Fall League |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=November 21, 2021}} |
2021
| {{winpct|17|13|record=y}} || 3rd West | {{winpct|17|12|record=y}} || 2nd West | {{winpct|10|20|record=y}} || 3rd East | {{winpct|17|12|record=y}} || 1st West | {{winpct|12|18|record=y}} || 2nd East | {{winpct|15|13|record=y}} || 1st East |
2022
| {{winpct|15|13|record=y}} || 2nd | {{winpct|14|14|record=y}} || 3rd | {{winpct|12|18|record=y}} || 6th | {{winpct|19|10|record=y}} || 1st | {{winpct|13|16|record=y}} || 5th | {{winpct|13|15|record=y}} || 4th |
2023
| {{winpct|12|18|record=y}}|| 6th | {{winpct|15|14|record=y}}|| 2nd | {{winpct|14|16|record=y}}|| 5th | {{winpct|19|11|record=y}}|| 1st | {{winpct|15|14|record=y}}|| 3rd | {{winpct|14|16|record=y}}|| 4th |
2024
| {{winpct|16|14|record=y}}||4th | {{winpct|8|20|record=y}}||6th | {{winpct|16|14|record=y}}||1st | {{winpct|18|10|record=y}}||2nd | {{winpct|16|14|record=y}}||3rd | {{winpct|14|16|record=y}}||5th |
Championship history
From 1992 to 2021, the first-place teams from both divisions met for the league championship. Originally a best-of-three series, it was played as a single game from 2001 to 2021.
As of the 2022 season, divisions have been eliminated. The top three teams in the final regular season standings qualify for the postseason. The second- and third-place teams meet in a play-in semi-final game, with the winner facing the first-place team in the championship game.
The Peoria Javelinas have won the most championships, seven. The most consecutive championships is five, accomplished by the Phoenix Desert Dogs during 2004–2008. No championship game was held in 2020, as the season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
File:Mikesosh.jpg was manager of the 1997 champion Peoria Javelinas.]]
File:Bob Melvin 2012.jpg was manager of the 1999 runner-up Maryvale Saguaros.]]
=Appearances by team=
class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center" | |||||
Appearances | Team | Wins | Losses | Win pct. | class=unsortable|Seasons |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
14 | Surprise Saguaros | 4 | 10 | {{winpct|4|10}} | 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 |
13 | Salt River Rafters | 6 | 7 | {{winpct|6|7}} | 1993, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2006, 2007, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2018, 2019, 2024 |
11 | Peoria Javelinas | 7 | 4 | {{winpct|7|3}} | 1993, 1994, 1997, 2002, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2017, 2018,
2023 |
10 | Mesa Solar Sox | 6 | 4 | {{winpct|6|4}} | 1992, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2008, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2021 |
9 | Glendale Desert Dogs | 6 | 3 | {{winpct|6|3}} | 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 |
6 | Scottsdale Scorpions | 3 | 3 | {{winpct|3|3}} | 1996, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2010, 2015 |
Notes:
- In the Seasons column, bold type indicates a championship
- Each current team has appeared under at least one former name:
- Glendale Desert Dogs made eight appearances as the Phoenix Desert Dogs and one as the Mesa Desert Dogs
- Mesa Solar Sox made three appearances as the Sun Cities Solar Sox
- Peoria Javelinas made one appearance as the Tucson Javelinas
- Salt River Rafters made five appearances as the Grand Canyon Rafters and one each as the Tempe Rafters and Surprise Rafters
- Scottsdale Scorpions made one appearance as the Surprise Scorpions
- Surprise Saguaros made three appearances as the Mesa Saguaros and one each as the Phoenix Saguaros and Maryvale Saguaros
Awards
=Most Valuable Player award=
{{see also|Baseball awards#Winter leagues (affiliated)}}
First presented in 2002 and named for Joe Black of the Brooklyn Dodgers, the award honors the 1952 National League Rookie of the Year.{{cite web |title=Desme Wins AFL MVP Award |date=November 23, 2009 |work=CBS Sports |url=http://www.cbssports.com/mcc/messages/chrono/18505780 |access-date=January 30, 2010}} See Grant Desme, the 2009 recipient.
File:20100522 Eric Duncan Mississippi Braves.jpg was league MVP in 2005.]]
File:Royce Lewis.jpg was league MVP in 2019.]]
=Stenson Award=
{{see also|Baseball awards#Winter leagues (affiliated)}}
The Dernell Stenson Sportsmanship Award was created in 2004, in memory of Dernell Stenson,{{cite web| url = http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=stensde01| title = Dernell Stenson Stats}}. Baseball Almanac website. Retrieved December 31, 2010. an outfielder for the Scottsdale Scorpions (Cincinnati Reds), who was killed in a carjacking on November 5, 2003.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88922016/town-mourns-outfielder/ |title=Town mourns outfielder |agency=Cox News Service |newspaper=Rocky Mount Telegram |location=Rocky Mount, North Carolina |page=3C |date=November 7, 2003 |access-date=November 14, 2021}} The award is voted on by the managers and coaches of the six Arizona Fall League teams.{{cite web|title=Stenson Award|publisher=Baseball Almanac|url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/stenson_award.shtml|access-date=December 31, 2010}}
File:Mark Teahen on July 29, 2009.jpg won the first Stenson Award in 2004.]]
File:Tyler Stephenson (35226179322) (cropped).jpg won the Stenson Award in 2019.]]
=Performance-based awards=
In 2021, the league added several awards: pitcher, hitter, reliever, breakout player, and defensive player of the year. Winners are listed in the below table with their position and major-league organization.
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+ Performance-based award winners |
Year
! Pitcher ! Hitter ! Reliever ! Breakout player ! Defensive player ! Ref. |
---|
2021
| Owen White (RHP, TEX) | Juan Yepez (1B, STL) | Graham Spraker (RHP, TOR) | Elijah Dunham (OF, NYY) | Jackson Cluff (SS, WSN) |
2022
| Connor Thomas (LHP, STL) | Evan Reifert (RHP, TB) | Edouard Julien (2B, MIN) | Luis Matos (OF, SF) |
2023
| Ricky Tiedemann (LHP, TOR) | James Triantos (3B, CHC) | Emiliano Teodo (RHP, TEX) | Oliver Dunn (2B, PHI) | Ryan Bliss (2B, SEA) |
2024
|Niko Kavadas (1B, BOS) |Andrew Painter (SP, PHI) |Luis Mey (RHP, CIN) |Caleb Durbin, (2B, New York Yankees) |Andrew Pintar (SS, Miami Marlins) | |
Hall of Fame
{{see also|Baseball awards#Winter leagues (affiliated)}}
The Arizona Fall League Hall of Fame was created in 2001. The AFL has had over 1,200 former players reach Major League Baseball. Additionally, 18 former AFL managers or players have gone on to manage a major league club after managing in the league. To be considered by the selection committee, a player must be recognized at the major league level as a Rookie of the Year, a Most Valuable Player, an All-Star, or a Gold Glove or Silver Slugger Award winner. Through 2019, there were 46 inductees to the hall.
File:Dusty Baker 1991.jpg, manager, inducted 2001]]
File:Alfonso Soriano at bat.jpg, player, inducted 2006]]
File:Jeff Nelson umpire 2011.jpg, umpire, inducted 2018]]
All-star game results
Through the 2021 edition, East and West have each won 7 of their 14 contests. The 2008 edition was staged as National vs. American, with the National team prevailing. No game was held in 2020, as the season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Only one game, the 2007 edition, has gone into extra innings.
File:Surprisestadium.JPG in 2006]]
File:Salt River Fields - 2011-02-23 - Home Base Entry.JPG in 2011]]
class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" | ||||||
scope="col"| Season
!scope="col"| Game date !scope="col"| Winner !scope="col"| Score !scope="col"| Loser !scope="col"| Venue !scope="col"| Ref. | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2006 | October 27
| rowspan="2" | East | 3–1 | rowspan="2" | West
| rowspan="6" | Surprise Stadium | |||
2007 | October 26 | 3–2 {{small|(10)}} | ||||
2008 | October 24
| National | 7–6 | American | |||
2009 | November 7
| rowspan="3" | West | 8–7 | rowspan="3" | East | |||
2010 | November 6 | 3–2 | ||||
2011 | November 5 | 11–2 | ||||
2012 | November 3
| East | 9–4 | West | |||
2013 | November 2
| West | 9–2 | East
| Surprise Stadium | |||
2014 | November 1
| East | 6–2 | West
| rowspan="2" | Salt River Fields at Talking Stick | |||
2015 | November 7
| rowspan="2" | West | 8–3 | rowspan="2" | East | |||
2016 | November 5 | 12–4
| Surprise Stadium | ||||
2017 | November 4
| East | 4–2 | West
| Salt River Fields at Talking Stick | |||
2018 | November 3
| West | 7–6 | East
| Surprise Stadium | |||
2019 | October 12
| East | 4–2 | West
| Salt River Fields at Talking Stick | |||
2020 | colspan=5|Not played, season canceled | {{cite web |url=https://www.milb.com/news/2020-arizona-fall-league-season-canceled |title=2020 Arizona Fall League season canceled |first=Tyler |last=Maun |website=MiLB.com |date=September 21, 2020 |access-date=November 14, 2021}} | ||||
2021 | November 13
| East | 6–5 | West
| rowspan="2" | Salt River Fields at Talking Stick | |||
2022 | November 6 | National | 9–3 | American | {{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/arizona-fall-league-fall-stars-game-2022 |title=AFL NL 9, AFL AL 3 |website=MLB.com |date=November 6, 2022 |access-date=November 6, 2022}} | |
2023 | November 5 | rowspan="2" | American | 6–3 | rowspan="2" | National | rowspan="2" | Sloan Park | {{Cite web |title=Top performers of 2023 Fall Stars Game |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/top-performers-of-the-2023-fall-stars-game?t=arizona-fall-league-coverage}} |
2024
|November 9 | 6–5 | {{Cite web |title=Top Performers |url=https://www.mlb.com/gameday/al-fall-stars-vs-nl-fall-stars/2024/11/09/787606/final/wrap}} |
See also
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{Official website}}
{{Arizona Fall League}}
{{Phoenix Sports}}
{{Professional Baseball}}
Category:Baseball leagues in Arizona
Category:Sports in Maricopa County, Arizona
Category:Minor baseball leagues in the United States
Category:1992 establishments in Arizona