NationalsProspects.com

AFL Update: Oct. 7, 2025

The 2025 AFL campaign kicked off for the Nats’ contingent with a 4-3 loss by the Scottsdale Scorpions to the Peoria Javelinas.

As predicted in the comments, Jake Bennett did draw the Opening Game starting assignment. Alas, he did not pitch well, giving up all four Javelinas runs on four hits (one solo HR) and two walks over four innings. He struck out six.

All three relievers to follow Bennett were also from the Nationals contingent, and were in a familiar role of limiting the damage while waiting for the offense to come off the milk carton:

  • Sean Paul Liñan walked four and struck out out three but gave up neither a run nor a hit over two innings.
  • Jared Simpson retired all six batters he faced, including three by way of the K.
  • Austin Amaral worked around a walk while pitching a scoreless 9th.

All three Washington position players were in the starting lineup – batting 5th, 6th, and 7th.

  • Seaver King was the Scorpions’ DH and went 1-for-4 with an RBI single and a stolen base.
  • Sam Petersen played left field and went 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. He fielded two singles.
  • Ethan Petty was in right field but was 0-for-4 with two whiffs. He had one putout and fielded one hit.

Scottsdale remains at home and returns to action tomorrow night. Pablo Aldonis is listed as the starter (opener?).

5 Commments

  1. the bad part of the AFL is very little if any video. the good part is pitch/hit data including pitch and batted ball exit velocity.

    Bennett came out throwing 93-94 and finished up 91-93. he needs all the difference he can get between his fastball and change up. six K’s in four innings is good, two BB’s is not.

    game one of course, let’s see how this all plays out.

  3. One would hope that King and McGonigle will alternate days in the field, but at least it’s good that they got King some ABs.

    And while I know you’ve got to play guys where you can get them on the field, Petry won’t be playing OF as a Nat.

  4. So they did play King at DH! I think we may see a lot more of this. Depending on whose list you look at McGonigle is the #1 prospect in baseball. And the AFL has leaned heavily into it being a showcase for the top prospects. That alone will keep McGonigle on the diamond more than anyone else on the team. The problem, as I pointed out earlier, is that there’s 7 other middle infielders on the team…

    Though I suspect we’ll see Petry at 1B too.

    Keep an eye on Petersen. He’s the most underrated bat in our system.

Comments are closed.