As the calendar continues to get deeper into August, the summer inches closer to an end. With an eye on autumn, we begin to turn our attention to the Arizona Fall League, where a number of the game's top prospects will compete in the desert.
The announcement of rosters is still a few weeks away as the Minor League season gears up for its postseason, but the AFL officially released its 2025 schedule on Thursday.
More on the Arizona Fall League:
• Complete coverage | Tickets | Shop | Highlights and interviews
This year's campaign is set to kick off under the lights at Scottsdale Stadium on Monday, Oct. 6, when the Peoria Javelinas visit the Scottsdale Scorpions. A new postseason format will commence with the quarterfinal round taking place on Thursday, Nov. 13, at Scottsdale Stadium. The Championship Game will be played on on Saturday, Nov. 15, at Salt River Fields and can be viewed live on MLB Network, MLB.com and the MLB App.
More from MLB Pipeline:
• Top 100 prospects | Stats | Video | Podcast | Complete coverage
Each Major League club typically sends several of its top prospects to compete at baseball’s finishing school. Those players make up the six AFL squads that participate in the circuit, with each team composed of players from five MLB clubs.
Glendale Desert Dogs: Blue Jays, Braves, Cardinals, Dodgers, White Sox
Mesa Solar Sox: Athletics, Cubs, Marlins, Rays, Yankees
Peoria Javelinas: Mariners, Orioles, Padres, Reds, Twins
Salt River Rafters: Angels, D-backs, Pirates, Red Sox, Rockies
Scottsdale Scorpions: Astros, Giants, Mets, Nationals, Tigers
Surprise Saguaros: Brewers, Guardians, Phillies, Rangers, Royals
In addition to the regular-season games that are held at Cactus League Spring Training facilities, there are several special events that will be held throughout the 30-game season. The AFL will return to Tucson for a tripleheader on Saturday, Oct. 11, with all six teams playing at Kino Sports Complex. The following week, on Saturday, Oct. 18, the league will return to the West Valley area for a tripleheader at Goodyear Ballpark.
Fall-Stars festivities kick off with the AFL Home Run Derby that will take place on Saturday, Nov. 8, at Sloan Park in Mesa. Last year's contest was won by Yankees prospect Garrett Martin who edged out Brewers No. 17 prospect Brock Wilken, 10-9, in the final round.
The weekend concludes with the annual AFL Fall-Stars Game that will take place on Nov. 9 and will be broadcast live on MLB Network.
This year's campaign implements a new playoff format -- which will see all six teams reach the postseason -- with the top two clubs receiving a first-round bye. The quarterfinal round will see the team with the third-best record facing the team with the sixth-best record. The teams with the fourth- and fifth-best records will square off the same day with the winners advancing to the semifinals the following day.
On Friday, Nov. 14, the team with the second-best record will play the winner of the No. 3-6 game, and the top-seeded club will play the winner of the No. 4-5 game.
Entering its 33rd season, the Arizona Fall League has produced hundreds of big league All-Stars, over 20 MVPs, dozens of Silver Slugger and Gold Glove Award winners and more.
All AFL games will once again be streamed on the Arizona Fall League website.