The 2024 Arizona Fall League (AFL) rosters are officially out, and the Texas Rangers have eight players set to represent the Surprise Saguaros. The 2024 Arizona Fall League season begins on October 7th.
A Strong Pitching Contingent, Despite Injury Setbacks
The Rangers are sending five pitchers, most of whom missed significant chunks of the season due to injury. The AFL will serve as a chance for them to make up for lost time and get back into rhythm.
Marc Church, RHP (Age 23)
Church is another pitcher who had his season derailed by injuries—this time, shoulder problems. Drafted in the 18th round of the 2019 MLB Draft, he was added to the Rangers’ 40-man roster last winter. Church only managed 25 innings this season, but his stuff has always been electric when healthy. The AFL will be a key test to see if he can return to form.
Skylar Hales, RHP (Age 22)
Finally, some good news! Hales is the one healthy arm in this group, and he’s coming off a solid season. The Rangers’ 4th round pick in 2023 out of Santa Clara showed real growth, throwing 56 innings across 44 games between Hickory and Frisco. If anyone’s set to keep building momentum, it’s Hales.
Leandro Lopez, RHP (Age 22)
Lopez is one of those guys who you just feel like hasn’t had a chance to show what he can really do. After a solid debut stateside in 2023, Lopez was on track to make an impact with High-A Hickory. Unfortunately, injuries derailed that progress after just five games in 2024. The AFL will be his opportunity to remind everyone why the Rangers signed him out of the Dominican Republic.
Josh Stephan, RHP (Age 22)
Stephan’s journey is an underdog story. Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2020, he has worked his way up to Double-A Frisco. Despite posting a 4.94 ERA over 58 innings in 12 appearances this year, back issues sidelined him in early July. Now, Stephan will be looking to prove he’s still one of the Rangers’ better pitching prospects. I’m excited to see how he bounces back.
Avery Weems, LHP (Age 27)
Weems has been on the shelf since undergoing Tommy John surgery in February 2023. Acquired from the White Sox in the Lance Lynn trade, the lefty was just starting to get game action again this month. The AFL is going to be an important step in his long road to recovery. At 27, it’s a bit of a “make-or-break” moment for him, and I’m curious to see how his arm holds up.
The Position Players Bringing the Pop
The Rangers’ AFL position players all come from Double-A Frisco, and each has shown promise. Cody Freeman and Alejandro Osuna were just named as the Texas League Postseason Allstars:
Maximo Acosta, INF (Age 21)
Acosta is one of those players who has quietly been putting together a breakout season. After signing out of Venezuela in 2021, he had his best year yet in 2024, hitting .288/.353/.425 for Frisco. His development has been slower than some might have expected, but he’s turning heads now, and the AFL could be the perfect stage for him to shine.
Cody Freeman, INF (Age 23)
Freeman is no stranger to Rangers fans. The 2019 4th-rounder played 123 games at Frisco this year, mainly at third base, where he slashed .264/.321/.432. Freeman’s also a rock on defense, and his offensive production has been steadily improving. Seeing him get more reps in the AFL should be exciting.
Alejandro Osuna, OF (Age 21)
Osuna might be the most exciting name on this list. Coming off a fantastic season where he slashed .292/.362/.507 between Hickory and Frisco, he’s shown he can hit for power and average. The fact that he’s only 21 and already this productive is impressive. Don’t be surprised if Osuna keeps rising up the Rangers’ prospect rankings after the AFL.
Why This AFL Season Matters for the Rangers
This year’s AFL is more than just a showcase. For the Rangers, it’s a chance to get key arms healthy, assess some rising stars, and possibly even retool for the future. While injuries have been a theme, the upside of these players is undeniable. The AFL will give them the chance to finish their seasons strong and set the stage for bigger things in 2025.
Final Thoughts
I’m particularly excited to see how guys like Josh Stephan and Alejandro Osuna perform. Stephan has the potential to bounce back after an injury-riddled season, and Osuna could continue his rise as one of the Rangers’ top outfield prospects. The Arizona Fall League is always a blast to keep up with, and this year’s roster gives Rangers fans plenty of reasons to pay attention.
Let’s see how these future stars handle the spotlight in Arizona. Stay tuned here at The Prospect Times for us to keep you updated.
