AFL Update: Nov. 14, 2025
Scottsdale was the #1 seed but the regular-season fade lasted into the playoffs with a 9-4 loss to Peoria. It was the fourth straight loss for the Scorpions.
Six of the eight Nationals assigned to the AFL appeared in the game:
- Seaver King batted fifth and played shortstop, reaching base three times on a pair of walks and single and scoring one run. He had two assists and one putout.
- Ethan Petry was the #8 batter and played right field. He had an RBI single to plate King in the 6th and one putout on defense.
- Sam Petersen patrolled left field and was the last batter in the Scottsdale lineup. He singled in the 3rd and came around to score and was hit by a pitch in the 6th, took second on a wild pitch, stole third, and scored a second run. He snagged two flyballs on defense.
- Pablo Aldonis stranded two runners while getting the last out in the 4th and pitched a 1-2-3 fifth with a whiff.
- Jared Simpson walked three and struck out two in 7th and 8th innings.
- Austin Amaral struck out the side in the 9th and but also issued a walk and gave up a solo HR.
With the loss, the Nationals 2025 season comes comes to a close and the ’25-’26 offseason begins. That’s the 15th regular season for this site and 16th overall. Thanks again to Jerry for supplying pics for a second season.
We’re roughly four days away from learning who—besides Jake Bennett, natch—the Nats will choose to protect in the Rule 5 draft. I defer to Mr. Boss on this topic, but I would not surprised if Bennett is the only one. You might be able to make a case for Christian “Hey It’s” Franklin or Riley Cornelio, but methinks PBO Paul Toboni is willing to cut bait on any borderline Rizzo guy, knowing the odds of any Rule 5 pick sticking at the MLB level are very low.
the Nats sure got their money’s worth as their players were among the most used on the Scorpions’ roster.
very happy that Aldonis was able to go through the whole year healthy. he doesn’t seem to have the same nasty slider he had before the shoulder problems, no doubt the reason he has been moved to relief. he did show excellent command throughout the regular season and was tough to hit as well. at 23 and destined for City Isle he could be a sleeper for a roster appearance by year’s end.
Bummer for our guys. That Scotsdale team was a juggernaut. The loss, though, can’t be pinned on our contingent: 3 for 8 with 2 BB and 2 HBP is a mightily impressive day. Too bad the rest of the line up went MIA, going 2 for 23.
The pitchers were also just as good. 4.1 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 6 K from our guys vs. 4.2 IP, 8 ER, 3 K from everyone else!
Altogether it was an immensely successful AFL. Of the 3 bats, Petry never flashed the power he showed in the HR Derby, but King and Petersen were excellent, finishing 11th and 14th, respectively, of 67 bats in OPS.
The arms were just as good. It’s extremely disappointing Linan appears to have gotten injured (and no one has reported on it), but Simpson had an objectively good outing (even more surprising when you look at his ’25 regular season). Then Bennett and Aldonis had one or two rough outings, but and otherwise excellent mini-season. Amaral wasn’t very good, but there were still 56 pitchers with worse ERAs than his 6.75.
Now the big chill begins…
Thanks again for another season of coverage, Luke!
This is the most interesting off season anticipating a rebuild in my lifetime following Expos/ Nats .
I’d have to go back to post Andre Dawson walking off to a fill in the blank Cub contract where Murray Cook / young Diamond Dave on Pierre De Coubertin retooled with Buck Rodgers.