Promising Phillies Prospect Off to Historic Start in Arizona Fall League
Two weeks into the Arizona Fall League, one Philadelphia Phillies prospect has set himself apart from the rest of his peers.
Infield prospect Oliver Dunn ranks in the top-five in the Arizona Fall League in Batting Average (.435), On Base Percentage (.519), Slugging Percentage (.739) and OPS (1.258).
Dunn stayed hot on Saturday, going 1-for-3 with a walk in the Scottsdale Scorpions' 3-1 victory over the Peoria Javelinas, in the second game of the Arizona Fall League Tripleheader at Goodyear Ballpark.
Dunn was selected by the New York Yankees in the 11th round of the 2019 MLB Draft out of the University of Utah.
Dunn, now 26 years-old, spent four years in the Yankees' farm system, but was not protected from the Rule 5 Draft last December. With the final pick of the Minor League Rule 5 Draft, the Phillies added Dunn to their roster.
In his first year in the Phillies' system, Dunn excelled, slashing .271/.396/.902 with 21 home runs and 78 RBI in 119 games with Double-A Reading. Despite his strong showing in 2023, MLB Pipeline does not have Dunn ranked among their top-30 prospects.
A player doesn't necessarily need to be a top-30 prospect in order to make it in the big leagues. Houston Astros starting pitcher JP France logged an 11-6 record and 3.83 ERA over 136.1 IP, 23 starts and one relief appearance in his rookie campaign in 2023. France, a 28 year-old rookie, was never listed as a top-30 prospect by MLB Pipeline throughout his time in the minor leagues. France could be a finalist for the American League Rookie of the Year Award later this fall.
As an off-the-radar, older prospect now playing in the Fall League, Dunn continues to build off the success he enjoyed throughout the regular season. Dunn might be a sleeper prospect, who could have a chance to make a difference at the Major League level next summer.
Dunn is one of eight Phillies prospects playing in the Fall League. Three other Phillies prospects saw playing time in Saturday's game.
The Phillies' no. 9 prospect, Gabriel Rincones Jr. went 0-for-3 Saturday while playing right field. Rincones has a .294 BA and .915 OPS through nine games in the Fall League.
Infield prospect Matt Kroon enjoyed a two-hit day, going 2-for-3 with two RBI, while manning third base.
Catching prospect Caleb Ricketts had a pinch-hit single, taking over for Israel Pineda in the top of the sixth inning. Ricketts went 1-for-1 on the day.
The Scorpions will have Sunday off, before hosting the Salt River Rafters at Scottsdale Stadium Monday night.
