Complex League Playoffs Set To Begin: Matchups, Top Players To Watch & More
Image credit: Dodgers prospect Eduardo Quintero (Photo by Bill Mitchell)
The first minor league playoff series of the year will kick off with the Arizona and Florida complex leagues this weekend.
On Saturday, four teams in each league will begin their quest for a ring. If that seems earlier than normal, it’s because the complex leagues began their seasons earlier this year, which means their playoffs will begin earlier than usual, too.
Here’s a look at the opening matchups with division winners signified by an asterisk:
Arizona Complex League
- Rangers* vs. Diamondbacks*
- Giants vs. Dodgers
Florida Complex League
- Tigers vs. Marlins*
- Pirates* vs. Yankees*
The playoff procedure is simple: Each league will have a pair of one-game semifinals followed by a best-of-three championship series. Neither of last year’s champions—the Braves in the FCL and the Brewers in the ACL—will defend their title in 2024.
More Complex League Coverage
- Analyzing 10 Standout Complex League Prospects In 2024
- Will The Complex League Schedule Changes Impact Draft Debuts?
- How We Used Data To Identify Future Breakout Prospects On The Complex
Players To Watch For Each Team
Franyerber Montilla, SS, FCL Tigers
Montilla is one of the bigger risers in Detroit’s low minors. The 2022 signee out of Venezuela made his stateside debut this summer and has shown a blend of power and speed along with tools that give him a chance stick at shortstop. Montilla’s card has a blend of average and above-average tools across the board, including a 55-grade hit tool and speed.
Engelth Ureña, C, FCL Yankees
Ureña spent the first two years of his career dealing with injuries that limited him to just 11 games. Now healthy again, he’s showing his full potential. His eight home runs were second in the league, and his .563 slugging percentage placed third.
Andres Valor, OF, FCL Marlins
Valor was one of Miami’s standouts in the Dominican Summer League last year, and he impressed on a national stage in the team’s Spring Breakout game before the season. The 18-year-old didn’t show massive power, but he did a good job putting the bat on the ball and displayed enough speed to swipe 35 bases in 39 tries.
Jhonny Severino, SS, FCL Pirates
Acquired from the Brewers a year ago at this time, Severino was one of the FCL’s top performers in 2024. The 19-year-old’s 10 home runs were tied for the most on the circuit, as were his 103 total bases. Severino did a good job putting the bat on the ball this season, and his exit velocities were solid, as well.
Yeremi Cabrera, OF, ACL Rangers
Signed in 2022, Cabrera moved stateside this season for the first time and has been one of the best players on the Rangers’ ACL team. He opened scouts’ eyes thanks to a solid knowledge of the strike zone and the potential for plus power. Couple those traits with a solid chance to play center field, and you get a very interesting prospect.
Yassel Soler, 3B, ACL D-backs
Soler can put a charge into a ball as well as anyone in the league, finishing the year with six homers in 53 games. Scouts were impressed by his combination of bat-to-ball skills and ability to find the barrel frequently. He’s a decent defender at third base, and he has the range and arm strength to potentially stick at the position depending on how his body fills out.
Eduardo Quintero, OF, ACL Dodgers
Quintero is one of the best overall prospects in the league and has one of the highest ceilings. The former catcher combines a feel to hit, barrel malleability, modest power, plus speed and the instincts to stick in center field in the long-term. There’s plenty of polish still to be applied, but he’s one of the bigger up-arrow prospects in one of the best systems in baseball.
Jose Ortiz, OF, ACL Giants
Ortiz missed time after a collision with a wall earlier this year, but when he’s been on the field, he’s been one of the more promising prospects on the ACL Giants’ roster. An outstanding defender in center field, he also does a good job putting the bat on the ball while sprinkling in a bit of power now and again. Add plus speed to his mix, and you’ve got an exciting young prospect.
