The Buzz: Colt Emerson Rakes in AFL Debut
George Bissell recaps standout AFL performances by Colt Emerson, Matt McLain, Termarr Johnson, Brock Wilken, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Ethan Salas and Jett Williams.
On the heels of a low-scoring Arizona Fall League lid-lifter, it was the offenses that roared back during Tuesday's action, capitalizing on sizzling-hot triple-digit temperatures to the tune of 47 runs combined in a pair of contests. It was Mariners shortstop prospect Colt Emerson who put together a historic five-hit performance, Reds rehabbing youngsters Matt McLain and Christian Encarnacion-Strand also provided some fireworks, while former top pick Termarr Johnson made some serious noise in the nightcap. Here's everything you need to know from Tuesday's offensive explosion in the AFL.
Arizona Fall League Recap
Colt Emerson, SS, Mariners
5-for-5, 4 2B, 2 R, 5 RBI, SB
Emerson cobbled together a historic AFL debut on Tuesday afternoon, recording the first four-double performance in the AFL in two decades, according to MLB Pipeline. The 19-year-old top prospect was limited to just 70 contests this past season, including only 29 at High-A Everett, where he struggled to a .225/.331/.317 triple-slash line in 139 plate appearances. It's worth noting that he's still extremely advanced for his age, checking in at nearly a half-decade younger than the rest of his competition. Opinions vary on Emerson from a fantasy standpoint, but if you're confident projecting him growing into some additional over-the-fence pop, while also continuing to hit for average and steal bases, it's easy to envision him blossoming into a future five-category impact fantasy contributor. A strong AFL performance will go a long way towards boosting his fantasy appeal, especially in dynasty formats. I've slotted him just inside the top-100 overall and as a borderline top-15 shortstop heading into the 2025 campaign. He's the real deal.
Brock Wilken, 3B, Brewers
2-for-5, HR, RBI
Wilken missed a significant chunk of this past season when he suffered multiple facial fractures when he was hit by a pitch during an early-April contest for Double-A Biloxi, finishing the year with a pedestrian .675 OPS with 17 big flies in 108 contests. The 22-year-old first-round pick from the 2023 MLB Draft was always intriguing for dynasty managers based on his potential to move quickly through Milwaukee's system following a standout collegiate career at Wake Forest. He's making up for some lost time at the moment and projects as a bit of a one-dimensional power-only fantasy contributor once he finally reaches the big leagues. That's not a knock on Wilken, who boasts some impressive power, and figures to make a fantasy impact at some point.
Matt McLain, 2B/SS, Reds
2-for-3, HR, 2 RBI
If you had to pick a fantasy rebound candidate for 2025, it would have to be McLain. The 25-year-old former top prospect, who batted .290 with 16 homers and 14 steals in just 89 games during his extremely impressive 2023 big-league debut, missed all of this past season due to shoulder surgery and a stress reaction in his ribs that arose during his rehabilitation process. The 25-year-old has finally returned to game action in the AFL and should be a full-go by the time spring training rolls around. Barring something unexpected, McLain projects as a true five-category impact fantasy contributor and should enter the 2025 campaign as a top-100 dynasty contributor and a borderline top-12 shortstop. There might be some initial turbulence given his extended absence, but he was pretty much universally-regarded as a top-50 overall dynasty contributor entering this past year.
Christian Encarnacion-Strand, 1B, Reds
2-for-4, 3 RBI
Let's stick with the Reds for a moment. It's difficult to figure out where to rank Encarnacion-Strand after missing nearly the entire 2024 season recovering from surgery to repair ligament damage in his right wrist. The positive news here is that he'll get some at-bats during the AFL and should have a normal offseason heading into spring training. He figures to open next year as Cincinnati's primary first baseman under new manager Terry Francona, and still boasts 30-homer upside, if he can stay on the field. The contact issues persist, but if he can keep that number under 30 percent, he's going to make an impact for fantasy managers. I've got him just outside the top 15 options at the position from a dynasty standpoint, but he's slipped outside the top 250 overall heading into the offseason given how much time he's missed.
Ethan Salas, C, Padres
1-for-5, HR, 2 RBI
Salas is one of the more difficult prospects to evaluate from a dynasty standpoint as catchers are notoriously challenging to project from an offensive perspective. The fact that he's so much younger than the competition he's faced over the past two seasons also makes things exponentially more challenging as the Padres continue to push him with aggressive assignments. The 18-year-old prodigy has been up to the challenge so far, managing to hold his own at High-A Fort Wayne, despite being roughly four years younger than his competitors. He's still a hyperspace jump away from the big leagues, but he's worth monitoring closely in the AFL as his continued growth at the plate will continue to increase his appeal for dynasty managers.
Termarr Johnson, 2B, Pirates
2-for-4, HR, RBI, BB
The fourth overall pick from the 2022 MLB Draft hasn't quite lived up to the pre-draft hype from a fantasy perspective, but he's on the verge of reaching the big leagues at some point in the near future after compiling a .753 OPS with 15 homers and 22 steals across 544 plate appearances this past season between High-A Greensboro and Double-A Altoona. At just 20 years old, his power/speed combo blend is notable, especially since he's also displayed solid plate skills throughout his professional career. He took right-hander Dylan Ray deep in the opening frame for a 393-foot blast before reaching base twice in five plate appearances in his AFL debut. He wound up leaving the game in the eighth inning with a severe cramp in his right leg, but appears to have avoided serious injury. He's one of the more exciting prospects to monitor in the AFL, especially if his extraordinary bat-to-ball skills translate against top competition.
Jett Williams, SS, Mets
1-for-5, 2B, RBI
Speaking of missed development time, Williams is making up for it with some extra AFL at-bats after being limited to just 33 contests this past season due to early June surgery on his right wrist. The 20-year-old shortstop, who was a first-round selection in the 2023 MLB Draft, should have a normal offseason and be ready to roll for spring training. He was a borderline top-25 overall prospect in the game entering this past year, but it's going to take some time for him to get back to that lofty status. This is where it starts. I've got him in the top-200 range dynasty heading into the 2025 season.