The Arizona Fall League is often called a showcase circuit or prospect graduating school – a place where the Minors’ top talents gather for six weeks in the Valley of the Sun to compete before putting their stamps on the Majors.
But the six AFL rosters aren’t loaded with Top 100 overall and Top 30 organizational prospects alone. There are under-the-radar names playing in the desert too, hoping to make a name for themselves both within their own systems and across the industry at large. Or at least they’re under the radar for now.
Here is one prospect ranked outside his organization’s Top 30 to keep an eye on during this Arizona Fall League season:
AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST
Blue Jays: Adrian Pinto, 2B/OF
Ranked No. 30 on our preseason Blue Jays list, Pinto fell off after opening the season on the IL with a rib issue and playing only 26 games in the regular season, 17 with High-A Vancouver. He was effective in that time, going 21-for-70 (.300) with three homers, 12 total extra-base hits and only 10 strikeouts. That power is especially impressive for a prospect who is thought to be a high-contact, good-speed type and stands only 5-foot-6 in the box. Pinto needs reps to elbow his way back into the Top 30 and will get them with Scottsdale.
Orioles: Jake Cunningham, OF
Ranked No. 147 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 250 Draft prospects list ahead of the 2023 Draft, Cunningham was taken in the fifth round (No. 154 overall) by the Orioles and signed for just under slot ($375K). He entered pro ball with a reputation for having a power-speed combination and with some questions about his hit tool. Those remain, as he has work to do with his approach, and the power didn’t show up in his first full season. The speed did (29 steals) and he did hit better when he moved up to High-A Aberdeen to finish his first full season while showing he can play all three outfield spots well.
