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Rockies Fans, Here’s Reason To Smile
Plus: Esmerlyn Valdez continues his red-hot start in Arizona.
Charlie Condon, OF, Rockies: Condon had just two hits through his first 16 Arizona Fall League at-bats entering Wednesday, but the Rockies slugger broke out in a big way, going 3-for-5 with a grand slam, a triple and a single—coming up just a double shy of the cycle. His triple nearly turned into an inside-the-park homer, but Rafters manager Eric Patterson held him up at third on what would have been a razor-close play at the plate. Condon’s signature moment came in the top of the ninth with his team trailing 9-8. Facing Mets righthander Bryce Jenkins, Condon launched a towering grand slam, capping off a monster performance that snapped his early-season skid in emphatic fashion, giving Salt River the 12-9 win over the Scorpions.
This Charlie Condon swing produced a 106.4 mph exit velocity. Scottsdale Stadium is 430 to center and this shot banged off the top of the wall resulting in a triple. The swing is looking really good.
— Chris Clegg (@ChrisCleggMiLB)
11:53 PM • Oct 15, 2025
Jared Thomas, OF, Rockies: Wednesday night in the Fall League offered Rockies fans a thrilling glimpse into the franchise's future. Jared Thomas went 2-for-4, singling in the fourth inning ahead of fellow Rockies prospect Charlie Condon, who drove him in with a triple. Condon finished 3-for-5 with a grand slam, leading the Rafters’ offense. Thomas added a grand slam of his own in the seventh, cutting Salt River’s lead to 9-8. Two innings later, Condon capped the comeback with another grand slam—this one after Thomas loaded the bases with a walk—sealing a dramatic Rafters win and underscoring the impact the two young hitters can make together.
Esmerlyn Valdez, 1B/OF, Pirates: Valdez cannot be contained by the outfield fences of the Arizona Fall League. For the second straight day, the power-hitting prospect launched another home run, bringing his league-leading total to four and continuing a red-hot stretch at the plate. Valdez's latest blast extended his home run streak and reinforced his status as one of the most dangerous bats in the Fall League. With elite raw power and a knack for timely hits, Valdez is making quite the statement with an important offseason ahead for him as he is up for Rule 5 protection.
Jonny Farmelo, OF, Mariners: Farmelo is a prototypical Arizona Fall League player who is using the desert as a launchpad to make up for lost time. After a tough 2024 season that saw him sidelined by an ACL tear and later slowed by a rib injury in 2025, the Mariners outfielder was sent to the AFL for crucial at-bats and developmental reps. And he's wasting no time making an impact. In his first at-bat Wednesday, Farmelo crushed his first AFL home run with a 103 mph exit velocity. It was a no-doubt shot that served as a reminder of the raw power and athleticism that made him a first-round pick in 2023.
Sam Antonacci, 2B, Mariners: Antonacci has steadily built a reputation within the organization as an unrelenting, hard-nosed grinder who plays the game the right way. His high motor, disciplined approach, and ability to work quality at-bats have put him on the map in Chicago's system, though he still might be flying a bit under the radar. Antonacci crushed his first AFL home run for the Glendale Desert Dogs, showcasing sneaky power to go along with his already solid hit tool. He finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs and is hitting .261.
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Quick Hits
Prospect news and notes from around baseball…
Dominican Winter League action kicked off yesterday as well. Mariners shortstop Felnin Celesten homered in his debut. MLB recently reached a deal with winter leagues that now allows for more participation from affiliated players.
Pirates catcher Axiel Plaz went 2-for-3 in Arizona, including a ball that left the bat at 111 mph.
Seaver King continues to swing a hot bat, roping three doubles in a 4-for-6 showing with three RBIs.
Rangers righty Emiliano Teodo struggled with strike-throwing in an injury-filled 2025 and he walked three batters over just one inning of work on Wednesday.
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