Esmerlyn Valdez, 1B/OF, Pirates: Valdez was one of the breakout prospects of the first half of the 2025 MiLB season. He hit 20 home runs in just 72 games at High-A Greensboro, but after his promotion to Double-A Altoona, Valdez hit just six in his final 51 games.

His power has once again been quite apparent in the Arizona Fall League. Valdez homered twice on Sunday, which gives him seven home runs in just eight AFL games.

The only player to hit more home runs over the last two AFL seasons was 2024 home run leader Josue Briceño (10). Valdez has already hit as many as any player hit in the 2023 AFL season, and more than anyone in 2022. Brandon Wood hit an AFL record 14 home runs in 2005, and Mike Olt hit 13 in 2011, but in most years, no AFL player reaches double digits in home runs.

Valdez is hitting .500/.686/1.600 so far. He's got a chance to have one of the best seasons in AFL history.

Trey Yesavage, RHP, Blue Jays: After making just three starts with the Blue Jays in the regular season, Trey Yesavage picked up his second playoff win, as he baffled Seattle for 5.2 innings. Yesavage allowed six hits and three walks while striking out seven. He entered the sixth inning having held the Mariners scoreless, but Josh Naylor homered and Randy Arozarena singled. He was pulled at that point, but Louis Varland allowed a Eugenio Suarez RBI single that scored Arozarena. The Blue Jays still won 6-2 and Yesavage's second win in three postseason starts sets up a deciding Game 7 of the ALCS.

Enrique Bradfield Jr., OF, Orioles: Bradfield Jr. had his third straight two-hit game in the Arizona Fall League on Sunday, going 2-for-5 with a pair of RBIs, but it was his work on the basepaths that truly stood out. Bradfield stole four bases in four attempts. On each of his singles, he quickly stole both second and third. Bradfield now has eight steals in eight attempts in just seven games. He leads the AFL in stolen bases, two steals ahead of Patrick Clohisy, Nick Morabito and Stanley Tucker.

Jared Serna, SS, Marlins: Serna is proving to be Jalisco's star in the early going of the Mexican Pacific League season. While playing multiple positions (right field, second base and shortstop) in his first four games, Serna is hitting .636/.714/1.182. On Sunday, Serna went 3-for-4 with a run scored. He doubled and tripled, falling a home run short of hitting for the cycle.

Jadher Areinamo, 2B, Rays: The Rays have to decide this offseason whether to add the recently acquired Areinamo to the 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. After another solid season at the plate, Areinamo is making a further push to be added with a strong start in the Venezuelan winter league. Areinamo went 3-for-5 with a walk and a stolen base on Sunday. He's now hitting .533/.588/.600 in four games with La Guaira.

Editor’s Picks

October Org Reports: Each month, Baseball America correspondents check in on notable prospects from each MLB organization. You can find our first batch below: 

• Izaac Pacheco, Tigers

• Gabriel Davalillo, Angels

• Spencer Jones, Yankees

• Sam Antonacci, White Sox

• Ryan Sloan, Mariners

• Petey Halpin, Guardians

• Gabriel Gonzalez, Twins

• A.J. Causey, Royals

In Case You Missed It