Irving Cota lights up Arizona Fall League in Week 2, one of seven standouts

Irvine Cota continued his hot start in the Arizona Fall League, becoming one of the week’s most noticeable performers among the circuit’s top prospects. Through his first three AFL outings with the Surprise Saguaros, Cota has allowed just one hit and has not allowed a run, earning a fresh burst of momentum in Week 2.

In his latest appearance, the 6-foot-5 right-hander produced his best start yet. He retired every batter he faced en route to nine straight outs, striking out five and matching the dominant form he had shown since beginning the season with a scoreless first frame.

The outing also reinforced why hitters have struggled against him. According to MLB’s Week 2 recap, Cota averaged 93 mph on his sinker and generated multiple swings-and-misses with his changeup and curveball, coming in with six whiffs on the changeup and curveball combined on seven swings.

Cota’s swing-and-miss production carried his season strikeout total up the leaderboard. MLB reported that he is tied for second in the Fall League with 12 strikeouts through three outings.

The broader AFL Week 2 picture included more offensive explosions and another wave of high-impact pitching performances. MLB’s recap highlighted 18 home runs across 14 games and noted that 70 pitchers did not allow a run to cross the plate during the week.

Among the other players singled out in the same Week 2 feature were position prospects and pitchers across multiple teams, including a top-ranked hitter in Sebastian Walcott, a high-velocity fastball display from Kannon Kemp, and a power-and-speed start from Teo Banks.