Padres prospects to watch as Arizona Fall League playoffs begin

The 34th edition of the Arizona Fall League moves into its playoff stretch Thursday, when the six-team prospect showcase turns into a three-day postseason to crown a champion.

All six Arizona Fall League clubs reach the postseason, with the Surprise Saguaros and Peoria Javelinas earning first-round byes based on the league’s top regular-season records. Quarterfinals run Thursday at Sloan Park in Mesa, followed by semifinals Friday at Peoria Sports Complex, and the championship Saturday night also at Peoria Sports Complex.

For Padres fans, the most direct “where to look” name in the published playoff field is Alex McCoy. McCoy is listed as part of Peoria’s lineup group (labeled SD among the five MLB-team affiliations in the playoff matchup), alongside hitters Yerlin Confidan and Tai Peete, as well as Orioles first-rounder Ike Irish and breakout outfielder Vance Honeycutt.

The quarterfinals set up two promising matchups. In the Glendale vs. Scottsdale game at 3:30 p.m. ET Thursday, the published preview highlights Dodgers prospects Eduardo Quintero, Tate Southisene and Charles Davalan, plus third baseman Chase Harlan. In the Mesa vs. Salt River game at 8:30 p.m. ET Thursday, the focus is on top prospects including Angels shortstop Arjun Nimmala and Blue Jays Home Run Derby winner Aaron Parker, among others.

Friday’s semifinals include the winner of Glendale/Scottsdale taking on the Surprise club, which the preview notes is built around players such as catcher/first baseman Sebastian Walcott and switch-hitting shortstop Welbyn Francisca, who led the circuit in hitting for most of the campaign.