FREDERICK, MD - Despite the Keys season concluding in September, plenty of Keys alumni have remained active in the MLB Arizona Fall League (AFL). This season the Keys had three top prospects named to the Arizona Fall League by their Major League clubs, providing the players extra time on the field and an opportunity to accelerate their growth within their organization. The 2024 AFL season started back on October 7 and is set to last through Saturday, November 16 when the championship game takes place.
Throughout the first five weeks of the Fall League season, several former Keys players have seen their games improve, most notably Garrett Martin '23. In his first 16 games Martin has hit four home runs for the Salt River Rafters, tying the team lead in homers. As a result, the former Keys slugger punched his ticket to the AFL Home Run Derby that took place Friday night, November 8, at Sloan Park in Mesa, and hit 10 homers in the final round to take home the Arizona Fall League Home Run Derby title. He also got named to the MLB AFL Fall Stars Game on Saturday, November 9 as one of four outfielders to make the American League roster.
Jonathan Pintaro '21-22 continues making big strides on the mound after accelerating to the AAA Syracuse Mets from the A+ Brooklyn Cyclones during the 2024 season. So far in the AFL he has piled up a 1-0 record and a 3.48 ERA through his first four games tossed. In 10.1 innings pitched, Pintaro allowed just four runs on nine hits and recording 10 strikeouts for the Scottsdale Scorpions.
Hayden Harris '22 recently finished his time in the Fall League on a high note, as he recorded 16 strikeouts throughout 8.2 innings pitched for Peoria. He also concluded his second full season in Minor League Baseball in Triple-A Gwinnett, and had 35 strikeouts across 22 innings pitched.
While not in the Arizona Fall League yet, Jonah Tong '22 recently got named as the Mets Pitching Prospect of the Year after he finished with a 34.2% strikeout rate and a 3.03 ERA throughout his second minor league season with the New York Mets organization.
Fans can watch Martin in the AFL Home Run Derby and follow along with other Keys alumni for the final week of regular season action on MLB.com and the Fall League website.
