As I wrote back in September, each year in the fall, major league teams send a cadre of prospects to play another month or so in the Arizona Fall League. Playing in the league is considered an honor, even though the minor league season is long and a break might be needed.

Only two former Valley Leaguers appeared in the AFL this year- Luke Leftwich (Aldie 2013) and Nate Pearson (Staunton 2016).

• Leftwich was unscored upon in his 8 appearances for Scottsdale. In 10 1/3 innings pitched, he went 0-0, 0.00, with a 0.874 WHIP, 2.6 BB/9, and 10.5 K/9.
• Pearson was definitely scored upon, but he showed flashes of what caused the Blue Jays to take him 28th overall in the 2017 draft, showing a fastball that regularly topped 100 mph. He had quite a bit of rust to knock off, though, since he had missed almost the entire 2018 minor league season after an injury in his first start. In 6 starts and 20 1/3 innings, Nate went 2-2, 6.20, with a 1.773 WHIP, 5.8 BB/9, and 10.2 K/9.

Pearson

Leftwich