 | |
| Sport | Baseball |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1992 |
| No. of teams | 6 |
| Country | United States |
| Most recent champion | Surprise Saguaros (2025) |
| Most titles | Peoria Javelinas (7) |
| Official website | www |
TheArizona Fall League (AFL)[a] is an off-seasonbaseball league owned and operated byMajor League Baseball (MLB) which operates during autumn inArizona, United States, at six different baseball complexes. Arizona Fall League rosters are filled by many of the top prospects inMinor League Baseball (MiLB) who are assigned by their parent clubs.
The six teams of the AFL are organized in two three-team divisions. Each AFL team is affiliated with five teams inMajor League Baseball (MLB), and each MLB team provides seven players from theirMinor League Baseball affiliates, yielding 35-man rosters.[1][2] Specific players are invited (not assigned) to play in the AFL by their parent club.[2] 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 thePuerto Rican Winter League) located outside of thecontiguous United States.[3]
Player eligibility has changed over time; as of 2008, each MLB organization could only provide one player below theDouble-A level,[1] and before 2019 there were service-time limits for any players on the40-man roster of an MLB team,[2] but as of 2021 all players within an MLB organization are eligible.[2]Free agents are not eligible.[2] The seven players each MLB organization provides consist of four pitchers and three position players.[2] Positional needs for each AFL team (e.g. catchers) are coordinated between player development directors of the affiliated MLB organizations via a "position draft".[2] An MLB organization can assign more than three position players; such players serve as ataxi squad for the AFL team and are limited to playing two games each week.[2]
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.[4] Themanager,pitching coach, andhitting coach of each AFL team are provided by MLB organizations on a rotating basis.[2]
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.[5]
The league has organized an annualall-star game since 2006.[6] Initially known as the "Rising Stars Showcase",[7] it has been branded as the "Fall Stars Game" since at least 2013. Included in the 2022 season was the Homerun derby.[8] Players for the game are selected by league staff, scouting and farm directors, andMLB.com writers.[9]
The league's inaugural season was 1992, during which each team played a 54-game schedule that ended in early December.[10] The divisions and teams that season were:[11]
The league's first game was played on October 6, 1992,[12] with the Grand Canyon Rafters defeating the Scottsdale Scorpions, 6–4.[13]
Before the 1994 season, the Javelinas relocated fromTucson toPeoria, to limit travel distances to thePhoenix metropolitan area.[14] 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 fromPhoenix toGlendale in 2013.[15]
For the 1998 season, organizers rostered players onto each Arizona Fall League team from a single division in MLB:[4]
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In 2007, theUnited States national baseball team andChina national baseball team played several games against AFL teams;[16] both teams were later competitors inbaseball at the 2008 Summer Olympics. In 2019, theMesa Solar Sox participated in theVamos a Tucson Mexican Baseball Fiesta in early October, facing teams of theMexican Pacific League.[17]
In 2019, the league adopted a new logo.[18] In 2020, the season was cancelled due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.[19]
A number of futureMLB All-Stars have had stints in the Arizona Fall League; over 300, per the league's website.[3] These includeDavid 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), andRonald Acuña Jr. (2017).[20] In 1994,Michael Jordan played for Scottsdale during his time away from theNBA.[21] Similarly, formerNFL quarterbackTim Tebow played for Scottsdale in 2016 during his foray into professional baseball.[22]
Each stadium hosts one or two of its MLB affiliates, denoted in bold, duringspring training.
Each listed city is in Arizona. Team affiliations reflect the 2025 season.[23]
| Team | MLB affiliates | City | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glendale Desert Dogs | Glendale | Camelback Ranch | 10,300 | |
| Mesa Solar Sox | Mesa | Sloan Park | 15,000 | |
| Peoria Javelinas | Peoria | Peoria Sports Complex | 10,714 | |
| Salt River Rafters | Scottsdale | Salt River Fields at Talking Stick | 11,000 | |
| Scottsdale Scorpions | Scottsdale | Scottsdale Stadium | 11,200 | |
| Surprise Saguaros | Surprise | Surprise Stadium | 11,000 |
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 fromwinning 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 inbold type from 1992 to 2021; beginning with 2022, the top three teams that qualify for the postseason appear inbold type. Tie-breaking procedures (such as between the Saguaros and Javelinas in 2021 for the West division title) are unclear.
| Year | Desert Dogs[b] | Javelinas | Rafters | Saguaros | Scorpions | Solar Sox | Ref. | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record | Finish | Record | Finish | Record | Finish | Record | Finish | Record | Finish | Record | Finish | ||
| 1992 | 20–33 (.377) | 3rd South | 25–26 (.490) | 2nd South | 26–27 (.491) | 2nd North | 33–18 (.647) | 1st South | 25–28 (.472) | 3rd North | 28–25 (.528) | 1st North | [24] |
| 1993 | 28–21 (.571) | 2nd South | 32–17 (.653) | 1st South | 26–22 (.542) | 1st North | 17–32 (.347) | 3rd South | 22–27 (.449) | 2nd North | 21–27 (.438) | 3rd North | [25] |
| 1994 | 20–30 (.400) | 2nd South | 32–19 (.627) | 1st North | 19–31 (.380) | 3rd South | 32–18 (.640) | 1st South | 26–25 (.510) | 2nd North | 22–28 (.440) | 3rd North | [26] |
| 1995 | 23–28 (.451) | 2nd South | 28–23 (.549) | 2nd North | 22–28 (.440) | 3rd South | 33–18 (.647) | 1st South | 16–34 (.320) | 3rd North | 30–21 (.588) | 1st North | [27] |
| 1996 | 26–25 (.510) | 2nd South | 25–26 (.490) | 2nd North | 22–29 (.431) | 3rd South | 27–24 (.529) | 1st South | 29–22 (.569) | 1st North | 25–26 (.490) | 3rd North | [28] |
| 1997 | 21–24 (.467) | 2nd South | 28–17 (.622) | 1st North | 29–16 (.644) | 1st South | 15–30 (.333) | 3rd South | 20–25 (.444) | 3rd North | 22–23 (.489) | 2nd North | [29] |
| 1998 | 21–22 (.488) | 3rd AL | 23–21 (.523) | 2nd AL | 26–18 (.591) | 1st AL | 19–25 (.432) | 3rd NL | 20–23 (.465) | 2nd NL | 22–22 (.500) | 1st NL | [30] |
| 1999 | 25–19 (.568) | 2nd East | 17–27 (.386) | 3rd West | 17–27 (.386) | 2nd West | 17–27 (.386) | 1st West | 25–19 (.568) | 3rd East | 31–13 (.705) | 1st East | [31] |
| 2000 | 25–16 (.610) | 1st East | 19–22 (.463) | 2nd West | 20–21 (.488) | 1st West | 19–22 (.463) | 3rd West | 25–16 (.610) | 2nd East | 14–26 (.350) | 3rd East | [32] |
| 2001 | 25–16 (.610) | 1st East | 21–10 (.677) | 2nd West | 26–15 (.634) | 1st West | 12–29 (.293) | 3rd West | 22–19 (.537) | 2nd East | 17–24 (.415) | 3rd East | [33] |
| 2002 | 25–19 (.568) | 2nd East | 26–17 (.605) | 1st West | 20–23 (.465) | 2nd West | 11–32 (.256) | 3rd West | 29–15 (.659) | 1st East | 19–24 (.442) | 3rd East | [34] |
| 2003 | 18–13 (.581) | 1st NL | 9–22 (.290) | 3rd NL | 13–18 (.419) | 2nd NL | 17–16 (.515) | 3rd AL | 16–15 (.516) | 2nd AL | 20–13 (.606) | 1st AL | [35] |
| 2004 | 21–15 (.583) | 1st NL | 16–21 (.432) | 2nd NL | 18–17 (.514) | 3rd NL | 17–17 (.500) | 2nd AL | 21–15 (.583) | 1st AL | 14–22 (.389) | 3rd AL | [36] |
| 2005 | 22–10 (.688) | 1st NL | 17–14 (.548) | 2nd NL | 16–16 (.500) | 3rd NL | 8–23 (.258) | 3rd AL | 17–15 (.531) | 1st AL | 15–17 (.469) | 2nd AL | [37] |
| 2006 | 20–11 (.645) | 1st East | 14–18 (.438) | 3rd West | 16–16 (.500) | 1st West | 15–17 (.469) | 2nd West | 15–17 (.469) | 3rd East | 15–16 (.484) | 2nd East | [38] |
| 2007 | 20–11 (.645) | 1st East | 17–15 (.531) | 2nd West | 19–13 (.594) | 1st West | 10–22 (.313) | 3rd West | 16–16 (.500) | 2nd East | 14–17 (.452) | 3rd East | [39] |
| 2008 | 18–18 (.500) | 1st NL | 16–22 (.421) | 2nd NL | 12–26 (.316) | 3rd NL | 26–12 (.684) | 2nd AL | 14–22 (.389) | 3rd AL | 26–12 (.684) | 1st AL | [40] |
| 2009 | 19–13 (.594) | 1st East | 18–14 (.563) | 1st West | 16–16 (.500) | 2nd West | 14–18 (.438) | 3rd West | 15–16 (.484) | 2nd East | 13–18 (.419) | 3rd East | [41] |
| 2010 | 11–17 (.393) | 3rd East | 20–10 (.667) | 1st West | 17–12 (.586) | 2nd West | 9–22 (.290) | 3rd West | 20–12 (.625) | 1st East | 13–17 (.433) | 2nd East | [42] |
| 2011 | 14–22 (.389) | 3rd West | 16–19 (.457) | 2nd West | 22–16 (.579) | 1st East | 26–10 (.722) | 1st West | 14–22 (.389) | 3rd East | 17–20 (.459) | 2nd East | [43] |
| 2012 | 13–15 (.464) | 3rd West | 19–13 (.594) | 1st West | 17–13 (.567) | 1st East | 17–14 (.548) | 2nd West | 15–16 (.484) | 2nd East | 10–20 (.333) | 3rd East | [44] |
| 2013 | 13–16 (.448) | 2nd West | 12–19 (.387) | 3rd West | 19–12 (.613) | 2nd East | 18–12 (.600) | 1st West | 10–21 (.323) | 3rd East | 19–11 (.633) | 1st East | [45] |
| 2014 | 14–15 (.483) | 3rd West | 15–14 (.517) | 1st West | 17–11 (.607) | 1st East | 16–15 (.516) | 2nd West | 12–20 (.375) | 3rd East | 15–14 (.517) | 2nd East | [46] |
| 2015 | 13–15 (.464) | 2nd West | 12–15 (.444) | 3rd West | 16–13 (.552) | 2nd East | 19–11 (.633) | 1st West | 18–12 (.600) | 1st East | 9–21 (.300) | 3rd East | [47] |
| 2016 | 17–15 (.531) | 2nd West | 14–15 (.483) | 3rd West | 15–15 (.500) | 2nd East | 17–14 (.548) | 1st West | 13–18 (.419) | 3rd East | 16–15 (.516) | 1st East | [48] |
| 2017 | 16–14 (.533) | 2nd West | 18–12 (.600) | 1st West | 13–15 (.464) | 2nd East | 13–17 (.433) | 3rd West | 12–17 (.414) | 3rd East | 16–13 (.552) | 1st East | [49] |
| 2018 | 12–18 (.400) | 2nd West | 21–9 (.700) | 1st West | 16–14 (.533) | 1st East | 11–19 (.367) | 3rd West | 14–15 (.483) | 3rd East | 15–14 (.517) | 2nd East | [50] |
| 2019 | 14–15 (.483) | 2nd West | 14–15 (.483) | 3rd West | 17–11 (.607) | 1st East | 17–12 (.586) | 1st West | 12–17 (.414) | 3rd East | 15–13 (.536) | 2nd East | [51] |
| 2021 | 17–13 (.567) | 3rd West | 17–12 (.586) | 2nd West | 10–20 (.333) | 3rd East | 17–12 (.586) | 1st West | 12–18 (.400) | 2nd East | 15–13 (.536) | 1st East | [52] |
| 2022 | 15–13 (.536) | 2nd | 14–14 (.500) | 3rd | 12–18 (.400) | 6th | 19–10 (.655) | 1st | 13–16 (.448) | 5th | 13–15 (.464) | 4th | [53] |
| 2023 | 12–18 (.400) | 6th | 15–14 (.517) | 2nd | 14–16 (.467) | 5th | 19–11 (.633) | 1st | 15–14 (.517) | 3rd | 14–16 (.467) | 4th | [54] |
| 2024 | 16–14 (.533) | 4th | 8–20 (.286) | 6th | 16–14 (.533) | 1st | 18–10 (.643) | 2nd | 16–14 (.533) | 3rd | 14–16 (.467) | 5th | [55] |
| 2025 | 11–16 (.407) | 5th | 12–15 (.444) | 2nd | 11–17 (.393) | 6th | 16–10 (.615) | 1st | 18–10 (.643) | 3rd | 14–14 (.500) | 4th | [56] |
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.
For the 2025 season due to weather concerns, the league went to a play-in style tournament with the top two teams from the regular season receiving a bye, the number six seed played against the number three seed, number five seed playing the number four seed. The winner of the three/six matchup would play the number two seed and the four/five matchup would play the number one seed.[57]
ThePeoria Javelinas have won the most championships, seven. The most consecutive championships is five, accomplished by thePhoenix Desert Dogs during 2004–2008. No championship game was held in 2020, as the season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
| Appearances | Team | Wins | Losses | Win pct. | Seasons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | Surprise Saguaros | 5 | 10 | .333 | 1992, 1994,1995, 1996, 1999, 2011,2013, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2021,2022,2023, 2024,2025 |
| 13 | Salt River Rafters | 6 | 7 | .462 | 1993, 1997, 1998,2000, 2001, 2006, 2007,2011, 2012,2014, 2018,2019, 2024 |
| 12 | Peoria Javelinas | 7 | 5 | .583 | 1993,1994,1997,2002,2009, 2010,2012, 2014,2017,2018, 2023, 2025 |
| 10 | Mesa Solar Sox | 6 | 4 | .600 | 1992, 1995,1998,1999,2003, 2008, 2013,2016, 2017,2021 |
| 9 | Glendale Desert Dogs | 6 | 3 | .667 | 2000,2001, 2003,2004,2005,2006,2007,2008, 2009 |
| 6 | Scottsdale Scorpions | 3 | 3 | .500 | 1996, 2002, 2004, 2005,2010,2015 |
Notes:
First presented in 2002 and named forJoe Black of theBrooklyn Dodgers, the award honors the 1952National League Rookie of the Year.[95]
Source:[102]
The Dernell Stenson Sportsmanship Award was created in 2004, in memory ofDernell Stenson,[106] an outfielder for theScottsdale Scorpions (Cincinnati Reds), who was killed in a carjacking on November 5, 2003.[107] The award is voted on by the managers and coaches of the six Arizona Fall League teams.[108]
_(cropped).jpg)
The AFL Community Champion Award was created in 2025, is presented each season to an AFL player who exemplifies a strong commitment to community service and positive impact beyond the game. is presented each season to an AFL player who exemplifies a strong commitment to community service and positive impact beyond the game. This award celebrates a player’s contributions to local communities through charitable activities, volunteer work, mentorship, and other acts of service. The recipient is recognized not only for their performance on the field but for their dedication to giving back and being a role model within the community.[119]
| Year | Player | Organization | Position | Team | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Logan Wagner | Los Angeles Dodgers | INF | Glendale Desert Dogs | [120] |
In 2021, the league added several awards: pitcher, hitter, reliever, breakout player, and defensive player of the year.[121] Winners are listed in the below table with their position and major-league organization.
| Year | Pitcher | Hitter | Reliever | Breakout player | Defensive player | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Owen White (RHP,TEX) | Juan Yepez (1B,STL) J. J. Bleday (OF,MIA) | Graham Spraker (RHP,TOR) | Elijah Dunham (OF,NYY) | Jackson Cluff (SS,WSN) | [122] |
| 2022 | Connor Thomas (LHP,STL) | Zac Veen (OF,COL) | Evan Reifert (RHP,TB) | Edouard Julien (2B,MIN) | Luis Matos (OF,SF) | [121] |
| 2023 | Ricky Tiedemann (LHP,TOR) | James Triantos (3B,CHC) | Emiliano Teodo (RHP,TEX) | Oliver Dunn (2B,PHI) | Ryan Bliss (2B,SEA) | [123] |
| 2024 | Andrew Painter (SP,PHI) | Niko Kavadas (1B,BOS) | Luis Mey (RHP,CIN) | Caleb Durbin, (2B,New York Yankees) | Andrew Pintar (SS,Miami Marlins) | [124] |
| 2025 | James Hicks (SP,HOU) | Esmerlyn Valdez (OF,PIT) | Cade Denton (RHP,COL) | Owen Ayers (C,CHC) | Enrique Bradfield Jr | [125] |
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 AFLmanagers 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 aRookie of the Year, aMost Valuable Player, anAll-Star, or aGold Glove orSilver Slugger Award winner. Through 2024, there were 46 inductees to the hall.[126]
Through the 2025 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 intoextra innings.
| Season | Game date | Winner | Score | Loser | Venue | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | October 27 | East | 3–1 | West | Surprise Stadium | [132] |
| 2007 | October 26 | 3–2(10) | [133] | |||
| 2008 | October 24 | National | 7–6 | American | [134] | |
| 2009 | November 7 | West | 8–7 | East | [135] | |
| 2010 | November 6 | 3–2 | [136] | |||
| 2011 | November 5 | 11–2 | [137] | |||
| 2012 | November 3 | East | 9–4 | West | Salt River Fields at Talking Stick | [138] |
| 2013 | November 2 | West | 9–2 | East | Surprise Stadium | [139] |
| 2014 | November 1 | East | 6–2 | West | Salt River Fields at Talking Stick | [140] |
| 2015 | November 7 | West | 8–3 | East | [141] | |
| 2016 | November 5 | 12–4 | Surprise Stadium | [142] | ||
| 2017 | November 4 | East | 4–2 | West | Salt River Fields at Talking Stick | [143] |
| 2018 | November 3 | West | 7–6 | East | Surprise Stadium | [144] |
| 2019 | October 12 | East | 4–2 | West | Salt River Fields at Talking Stick | [145] |
| 2020 | Not played, season canceled | [146] | ||||
| 2021 | November 13 | East | 6–5 | West | Salt River Fields at Talking Stick | [147] |
| 2022 | November 6 | National | 9–3 | American | [148] | |
| 2023 | November 5 | American | 6–3 | National | Sloan Park | [149] |
| 2024 | November 9 | 6–5 | [150] | |||
| 2025 | November 9 | 5–4 | [151] | |||
Cobb will become the 46th member of the AFL Hall of Fame
 Sports teams based inArizona | ||
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| Australian rules football |  | |
| Baseball | ||
| Basketball | ||
| Football | ||
| Hockey | ||
| Pickleball |
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| Roller derby | ||
| Rugby |
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| College athletics (NCAA Division I) | ||
| College athletics (NAIA) | ||
| College athletics (NJCAA) |
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