Chicago Cubs Send Multiple Prospects to 2025 Arizona Fall League for Development

The Arizona Fall League (AFL) is beginning its season with the Chicago Cubs sending nine prospects, including top player Cole Mathis, to develop for the 2026 MLB season. The Cubs’ prospects will play for the Mesa Solar Sox alongside players from the Athletics, Marlins, Rays, and Yankees, with a focus on pitching depth this year. Cole Mathis, a second-round draft pick recovering from injury, is the Cubs’ top prospect to watch, while shortstop Ed Howard is also highlighted as an under-the-radar talent. The Tampa Bay Rays are sending promising players like outfielder Aidan Smith, who combines power and speed, and Mason Auer, a former outfielder now transitioning to pitching, to the AFL. The AFL schedule includes triple-headers, a Fall Stars Game, and an expanded postseason, with games broadcast on MLB Network and MLB digital platforms. These prospects’ performances in the AFL are seen as crucial steps in their development and potential impact on their MLB organizations in the upcoming seasons.