Detroit Tigers and the Arizona Fall League: Polishing Prospects Under the Desert Sun
The Arizona Fall League doesn’t always get the attention it deserves, but for many prospects, it’s the last classroom before the big leagues. Since 2005, the Detroit Tigers have sent dozens of players to the AFL to refine their skills, test themselves against elite competition, and, in some cases, fast-track their way to Comerica Park.
Created in 1992 by Major League Baseball, the AFL has always served one purpose — development. It’s a controlled environment where the best minor leaguers face each other for six weeks every fall. Each of the six AFL teams draws from five MLB organizations, and every club typically sends around seven players. usually four pitchers and three position players. For the Tigers, it’s a mix of injury rehab assignments, extra at-bats for rising prospects, and auditions for those on the cusp of breaking through.
And while it’s easy to overlook these games played in front of sparse Arizona crowds, the league’s track record speaks for itself: more than 3,000 AFL alumni have made it to the majors. The Tigers have been a consistent part of that pipeline.
From Prospects to Big Leaguers
Detroit’s AFL alumni list reads like a timeline of its player development over the last two decades.
Nick Castellanos starred in the 2012 AFL with Mesa, refining the plate discipline that helped make him a cornerstone bat for Detroit before moving on to All-Star seasons in Cincinnati and Philadelphia.
Eugenio Suárez spent time in Arizona a year later and, after a short stint with the Tigers, turned into one of baseball’s premier power hitters with the Reds and Mariners.
JaCoby Jones and Christin Stewart followed in 2015 and 2016, respectively. Jones was sent to Arizona after being acquired from Pittsburgh, hitting .280 before a suspension cut his fall short. He returned the next year as Detroit’s “priority player” and parlayed that opportunity into a multi-year MLB stay. Stewart showcased his trademark power in 2016 and reached the bigs two years later.
Pitchers have found success there too. Spencer Turnbull logged AFL innings in 2016, working on his command and secondary pitches. He went on to throw a no-hitter for the Tigers in 2021. And Gregory Soto, part of the 2018 Mesa Solar Sox squad, turned a raw fastball-slider combo into a weapon, eventually becoming a two-time All-Star closer for Detroit.
That same 2018 group included Jake Rogers and Daz Cameron, two players who were part of the Justin Verlander trade. Rogers’ defensive skills stood out in Arizona, he even made the Fall Stars Game. Cameron later reached Detroit as well, flashing the speed and range that made him a top prospect.
Then came Spencer Torkelson, Detroit’s No. 1 overall pick in 2020. Though his 2021 AFL stint was brief, he made an impression, hitting .450 before an ankle tweak ended his run early. The next year, he was Detroit’s Opening Day first baseman.
And most recently, Josue Briceño put the entire league on notice. In 2024, the 20-year-old catcher became the first player in AFL history to win the Triple Crown, hitting .433 with 10 homers and 27 RBIs. It was one of the most dominant fall league performances ever, and it came from a player who started the year outside most national prospect rankings.
How Many Made It?
From 2005 through 2024, the Tigers have sent roughly 133 players to the Arizona Fall League. A conservative estimate: more than half eventually reached the majors. Some became stars, others role players, and a few never quite broke through, but the success rate speaks volumes about the AFL’s value.
The Tigers’ 2016 group is a great example. Of the seven players they sent, five were ranked in the team’s Top 30 prospects at the time. Four eventually played in Detroit. The same pattern followed in 2018, with Rogers, Soto, and Cameron all making it to the show within two years. It’s clear that, for most Tigers prospects, a fall trip to Arizona often means they’re on the short list for a future call-up.
Tigers in the AFL: By the Numbers
Years covered: 2004–2024
Total participants: Roughly 133*
Made the majors: About 60%
Most represented positions: Pitchers (52%), Outfielders (25%), Catchers/Infielders (23%)
Notable alumni: Nick Castellanos, Curtis Granderson, Ryan Raburn, Eugenio Suárez, Gregory Soto, Spencer Turnbull, Jake Rogers, Spencer Torkelson
AFL MVPs: Chris Shelton (2004), Josue Briceño (2024 Triple Crown winner)
Best team finish: Mesa Solar Sox, 2018 (AFL Championship appearance)
Recent affiliate: Scottsdale Scorpions
*Estimate based on MLB’s standard assignment of seven prospects per club per season (with the 2020 AFL season canceled).
Fun fact: Before Josue Briceño’s historic Triple Crown in 2024, no Tigers prospect had won AFL MVP since Chris Shelton in 2004.
Trends in How Detroit Uses the AFL
Detroit’s approach to the AFL has remained steady, a balance of hitters and pitchers who need extra work or evaluation time. Sometimes it’s about getting reps; other times, it’s about exposure. Prospects returning from injuries, like Jackson Jobe in 2023, used the league to build innings and prove they were healthy. (Like Jake Miller) In other years, it’s been about seeing how advanced hitters like Colt Keith handle upper-level pitching before moving to Triple-A.
What’s changed in recent years is the emphasis on development over results. The Tigers don’t necessarily care about box scores in the desert, they care about progress. Whether it’s refining a slider grip, improving two-strike recognition, or adding versatility in the field, Arizona is where they can experiment.
A Look Ahead
As the 2025 AFL season continues, Detroit’s prospects are once again suiting up for the Scottsdale Scorpions. Among them: infielder Kevin McGonigle, one of the system’s most promising bats, looking to make up for lost time after an injury. The Tigers see this as a perfect environment to test his defense for a potential spring training tryout. Rene Rivera, who led the Flying Tigers to a Single-A title this season, will be the manager for Scottsdale.
The AFL might not draw national headlines, but for the Tigers, it’s an essential piece of their development puzzle. It’s where hitters learn to adjust to better pitching, where pitchers regain their confidence, and where the next wave of Tigers gets a little closer to Detroit.
Every fall, under the desert sun, the future takes shape, one at-bat, one inning, and one breakthrough at a time.
Chris Brown 
Jerry McKennan