Arizona Fall League Preview: Los Angeles Dodgers
By Emily Sanders ·
The Dodgers have sent nine prospects to the Arizona Fall League, each with different goals and developmental needs. Here is a look at the players heading to the Glendale Desert Dogs and what this fall stint could mean for their futures.
Eduardo Quintero's High-A Success
Eduardo Quintero, a 21-year-old outfielder ranked No. 14 overall and No. 2 in the Dodgers' system by 80Grade, headlines the group. After a dominant season at High-A Great Lakes, where he slashed .309/.445/.495 with 12 home runs and 44 stolen bases, Quintero earned a late-season promotion to Double-A Tulsa. The AFL gives him a platform to test his skills against more advanced competition.
Quintero's strengths are an advanced approach at the plate and disciplined strike-zone judgment (88 walks in 111 games at Great Lakes). He brings speed, athleticism and defensive ability in center field. The key area to watch this fall will be his contact quality against upper-level pitching, particularly as he refines his two-strike approach and develops his power.
Charles Davalan's Versatility Test
Outfielder Charles Davalan, ranked fifth in the Dodgers' system by 80Grade, is set for a position experiment in the AFL. After hitting .292/.402/.535 with 24 home runs at High-A in his first full pro season, Davalan will play second base in Arizona. He split his time between left field and center field this year and has not played second base as a pro, so the move is a real test of his defensive versatility while he tries to keep producing against higher-level pitching.
Chase Harlan's Bounce-Back Opportunity
Chase Harlan, a 20-year-old third baseman, finished the season on the injured list after moving up to High-A Great Lakes in late June. Across Single-A Ontario and Great Lakes, he hit a combined .298/.403/.509 with 14 home runs, and his power is evident. His AFL assignment is a chance to prove he can handle consistent high-quality pitching and improve his contact rate.
Harlan's primary focus in Arizona will be refining his swing decisions and improving his defensive reliability at third base. The stint gives him a chance to regain momentum and show his potential as a middle-of-the-order bat.
Marlon Nieves Eyes Consistency
Right-handed pitcher Marlon Nieves had a season interrupted by injury, which limited him to 53 innings with a 5.09 ERA. His fastball-slider combination remains promising, and the AFL is a chance to show improved command and consistency. Cutting down his walk rate (16.5 percent this year) will be critical to his development as a potential mid-rotation starter.
Brooks Auger's Innings Build-Up
Brooks Auger, a 24-year-old right-hander, had a rebound season with a 3.62 ERA and 85 strikeouts over 59.2 innings at High-A. His assignment aims to build innings and refine his command ahead of potential Rule 5 Draft eligibility in 2027.
Auger's fastball and breaking ball have been effective at generating swings and misses, but his strike-throwing consistency remains a work in progress. The fall league gives him a chance to solidify his role as a potential back-end starter or swingman.
Quick Hits: Aroz, Morse, Fox and Horn
Anson Aroz, 23, is a catcher looking to improve his offensive consistency after a season split between Single-A and High-A. His AFL stint will focus on refining his approach and contact rate.
Cody Morse, a 23-year-old left-handed reliever, will focus on reducing his walk rate (12.1 percent this year) and solidifying his role as a potential bullpen arm.
Luke Fox, 24, enters the AFL in a Rule 5-eligible year. After missing significant time due to injury, he looks to establish a track record of health and effectiveness.
Sam Horn, 23, a former Missouri quarterback, made his pro debut in the AFL after recovering from a fractured tibia. This fall provides a crucial first look at his potential on the mound.
The most important player to watch this fall is Eduardo Quintero. As 80Grade's second-ranked Dodgers prospect, his development could have a significant impact on the organization's future outfield plans, and his AFL performance will be closely monitored.