Arizona Fall League is here
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My view at the Arizona Fall League opener, where the Scottsdale Scorpions took on the Surprise Saguaros on Oct. 3. Photo: Gitanjali Poonia/Axios
The Diamondbacks' season may be over, but there's still plenty of baseball to catch in town — and I'm rooting for the Scottsdale Scorpions.
Why it matters: For families missing baseball after the MLB regular season, the six-week minor league offers an intimate, affordable way to keep watching in person.
The latest: I went to Saturday's Arizona Fall League opener at Scottsdale Stadium, where the Scorpions sadly lost 9-3 to the Surprise Saguaros.
State of play: Since affiliations can change each year, Scottsdale's 2026 roster combines prospects from the San Francisco Giants, Detroit Tigers, Tampa Bay Rays, Milwaukee Brewers and Houston Astros.
- The regular season ends Nov. 11; the championship is Nov. 14.
Flashback: NBA legend Michael Jordan played for Scottsdale in 1994, while 12-time MLB All-Star Mike Trout and Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper shared its outfield in 2011.
Zoom in: A new Scottsdale Stadium exhibit honors Cactus League players who served in the military and explores the mystery surrounding Bobby Thomson's Shot Heard 'Round the World baseball.
If you go: Every seat is general admission, starting at $14. Free admission for children 10 and younger.
- Scottsdale Stadium, 7408 E. Osborn Rd.
- You can also stream the games for free on the AFL website.
💠My thought bubble: Admission is cheap, but concessions aren't: Beers run as high as $15.
- I sat above the visitors' dugout with a clear view of home plate and heard every crisp crack of the bat, which was very satisfying.
Here are three games I marked on my calendar.
- Thursday: You could see Rangers infielder Sebastian Walcott, the Fall League's highest-ranked prospect, when Scottsdale hosts Surprise. 6:30pm.
- Oct. 31: Halloween game against Mesa could feature Angels top prospect Arjun Nimmala, who hit 12 home runs over his final 30 minor league games. It's Scottsdale's final Saturday home game. 3:30pm.
- Nov. 6: Home finale against Glendale, whose opening roster featured four Top 100 prospects, including Dodgers outfielder Eduardo Quintero and White Sox slugger Caleb Bonemer. 6:30pm.