With the Arizona Fall League (AFL) wrapping up, the Texas Rangers prospects on the Surprise Saguaros roster (14-7) have made notable impressions. There isn’t much time left to improve their stats, with the AFL Play-In Semifinals set for Friday, November 15, and the Championship game the day after. Here’s a breakdown of their current stats—and some thoughts on what they mean for these players.
Hitters
Alejandro Osuna, CF (22 years old)
Osuna’s numbers speak volumes: a .364/.512/.561 slash line, equaling a 1.073 OPS. He’s added 2 home runs, 14 RBIs, and has drawn an impressive 19 walks while stealing 2 bases. His 7 doubles highlight his ability to drive the ball to the gaps. There’s no doubt Osuna’s plate discipline is shining here, with an on-base percentage that’s eye-popping. Of course, the Arizona air helps power numbers, but his approach and consistency are what really stand out. He’s showing he could be more than just a speed-and-defense type of player.
He has an incredible season with the RoughRiders slashing .292/.362/.507/.869 with 18 HR and 61 RBI between High-A Hickory and Double-A Frisco. Alejandro Osuna was also named the Texas Rangers Tom Grieve Player of the year for the 2024 season.
Cody Freeman, 3B (24 years old in January)
Freeman has put together a solid line at .283/.387/.491 (.878 OPS), including 2 home runs, 8 RBIs, and 5 doubles. His 8 walks add to his strong OBP, showing a good eye and patience at the plate. He’s also added a stolen base to round out his production. Freeman’s steady bat and defensive reliability make him a great asset, and he’s shown he can step up offensively this season.
Freeman was named the Texas Rangers minor league defender of the year for the 2024 season.
Max Acosta, SS (22 years old)
With a .298/.375/.491 slash line, Acosta’s .866 OPS reflects his all-around contribution—he’s driven in 12 runs, stolen 6 bases, and racked up 6 doubles. His lone home run highlights that he can still muscle one out when he gets the right pitch. He’s known for his defensive skills, but his AFL performance suggests he could contribute offensively at higher levels, too.
Pitchers
Josh Stephan, RHP (22 years old)
Stephan has been a rock for the Saguaros with a 0.54 ERA across 16.2 innings, making him the league leader in both ERA and innings pitched. His consistency in the AFL is something to be excited about, especially as he’s handled the hitter-friendly Arizona environment with ease. He’s only issued 3 walks but he’s struckout 17.
Leandro Lopez, RHP (22 years old)
Lopez was limited to 13 innings in High-A Hickory because of shoulder and elbow injuries. He’s got a 4.73 ERA over 13.1 innings is on the higher side, but his 17 strikeouts show he can miss bats. While the Arizona air may be partially responsible for some of his struggles, tightening his command will be critical as he moves forward.
Marc Church, RHP (23 years old)
Church has had a mixed AFL showing, with a 5.40 ERA over 5 innings. However, he’s struck out 8 batters, demonstrating his strikeout ability. The Arizona climate can sometimes inflate ERAs, so it’s possible he’s been a bit unlucky here.
Skylar Hales, RHP (22 years old)
Hales has had a rough outing with a 17.18 ERA in 3.2 innings, allowing 12 hits and 7 earned runs. He’s struggled with control, issuing 2 walks and hitting a batter.
Avery Weems, LHP (27 years old)
Weems has had one of the better performances among the pitchers with a 1.69 ERA across 5.1 innings. He’s allowed just one earned run and struck out six batters.
I’ll keep this post updated as the AFL wraps up, and look forward to adding even more insight with a daily tracker for Rangers prospects next season.
