Three Toronto Blue Jays prospects will be showcased during this year’s Arizona Fall League Fall Stars Game: first baseman Peyton Williams, second baseman/outfielder Adrian Pinto and right-hander Lazaro Estrada.
Williams, also selected to participate in the AFL’s home run derby on Friday, will be one of three players representing the Blue Jays organization during Saturday’s game at Sloan Park — the Chicago Cubs’ spring training home and the host for the Mesa Solar Sox. The contest will consist of an American League versus National League matchup.
#BlueJays prospects Peyton Williams (also participating in the HR derby), Adrian Pinto & T.J. Brock have all been named to the AFL Fall Stars Game. https://t.co/RgGtRQKVoI
— Thomas Hall (@Hall_Thomas_) November 8, 2024
The 24-year-old first baseman spent most of this past season at high-A Vancouver, logging 77 games and 334 plate appearances with the Canadians, showcasing his impressive left-handed power stroke via 11 home runs and a .476 SLG. He also produced a .289 AVG and .362 OBP, finishing 33 per cent above league average per his 133 wRC+.
Williams, who’ll be Rule 5-eligible after next season, endured a late start to 2024 while recovering from an injury but began a rehab assignment in mid-May, which included eight games combined at the Florida Complex League and single-A Dunedin before returning to high-A in June.
The power-hitting lefty has slashed .294/.351/.515 with four doubles and three home runs, driving in nine across 16 games with the Scottsdale Scorpions this fall.
THE IOWA MEAT TRUCK 🥩🚛 is the best nickname in baseball!
1B Prospect Peyton Williams has been selected for tonight’s @MLBazFallLeague Home Run Derby and for tomorrow’s Fall Stars Game ⭐️
THIS is how we got his iconic nickname 👇 pic.twitter.com/ebweqcclWW
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) November 8, 2024
Pinto’s 2024 campaign was plagued by a rib injury, limiting him to just 26 combined games split between the FCL, single-A and high-A during his fourth professional campaign. But he’s enjoyed a strong showing in Arizona this fall, excelling as an on-base threat courtesy of his .407 OBP in 22 contests.
The right-handed-hitting infielder — Rule 5-eligible in next month’s draft — has recorded more walks (12) than strikeouts (eight) with the Scorpions, and he’s turned many of those free passes into opportunities to showcase his basestealing abilities, swiping five bases in seven attempts.
That quickness has allowed Pinto to shine defensively, whether that’s been at second base or in centre field.
Estrada pitched across three levels (A, A+, AA) during the regular season, pitching to a 3.29 ERA with 113 strikeouts over 98.1 combined innings. He carries a three-pitch arsenal, featuring a low-90s fastball, mid-80s slider and mid-70s curveball — primarily relying on his high-spin heater.
The 25-year-old righty — also Rule 5-eligible this off-season — has struck out 19 of his 46 batters faced this fall, tied for the eighth in the AFL.
Congratulations to RHP Lazaro Estrada and 2B/OF Adrian Pinto on being named to the @MLBazFallLeague Fall Stars Game! ⭐️
🇨🇺 Estrada: 3.29 ERA | No-Hitter in 2024
🇻🇪 Pinto: .330 AVG | .951 OPS in 2024 pic.twitter.com/n2Jahbh7Rn— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) November 8, 2024
The annual AFL Fall Stars Game begins at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday and will be broadcast on MLB Network and streamed on MLB.com.