Marlins prospect Alex Vesia is torching the Arizona Fall League

At 10-5, the Salt River Rafters have the best record in the Arizona Fall League, and is in part, thanks to Alex Vesia. This is relevant considering that this is the team that includes seven Marlins high level prospects.

The Rafters roster is comprised of top prospects from the Marlins, Diamondbacks, Rockies, Rays and Twins. Their best reliever so far in the season has been Alex Vesia, who has yet to give up a run in six games while striking out 10 batters.

That alone is impressive but when compounded with the fact that he finished the minor league season not giving up a run in nine games at Double-A Jacksonville while striking out 25 in 16.1 innings, then it looks like the Marlins’ next closer is on the way.

Most of the prospects that play in the Arizona Fall League find themselves in the big leagues not too long after. Case in point is Giancarlo Stanton, the slugger formerly known as “Mike.” He was in the Arizona Fall League in 2009 and made his MLB debut in June 8, 2010.

So consider who are falling victim to Vesia’s vicious velocity. Joe Rizzo is the Seattle Mariners’ 16th ranked prospect, according to MLB Pipeline and Vesia struck him out swinging on three 93-94 MPH fastballs this past Saturday. Greyson Jenista is the Atlanta Braves 11th ranked prospect. After drawing a full count against Vesia on Oct. 2, a series of foul balls and a 92 MPH fastball did him in. Micker Adolfo (No. 11, White Sox) struck out swinging twice in the same week against him. Elehuris Montero (No. 4, Cardinals) is the highest ranked prospect that Vesia struck out.

Vesia’s first performance was his best in the AFL. Zack Short (No. 9, Cubs), Greg Deichmann (No. 17, Athletics) and Nick Allen (No. 6, Athletics) all struck out swinging on the same fastball that has plagued every prospect that’s faced him.

It’s amazing to believe that his minor league season began in Low A Clinton and ended with 100 strikeouts in 66.2 innings through three different levels. At this point, there’s a good chance he joins the Marlins bullpen in 2020 as the next Nick Anderson.