Unlike in previous years. the Arizona Fall League hasn't generated much buzz this year for the prospects participating. For example, the prospects the Atlanta Braves sent to the AFL have seen little in the way of coverage outside of some fun comps given to Briggs McKenzie. However, that does not mean that the Braves' young guys aren't performing well outside of McKenzie's impressive fall league showing.
Tate Southisene is one such example. Braves fans have been excited about Southisene's development ever since he shook off a rough pro debut to blast his way all the way to Double-A in 2026 before a broken wrist on a HBP ended his season prematurely.
The goal in sending Southisene to the AFL was to make up for the playing time he lost due to his injury. While he hasn't played a ton thus far, he is making the most of the plate appearances he has gotten.
Tate Southisene is showing the Braves in the AFL that his injury isn't slowing his development down at all
The AFL is somewhat strange due to the fact that teams send so many prospects to the league that finding consistent playing time, even for the top names, can be tricky. As of October 26, most teams in the league have played 16-17 games, but only a handful of players at all have played in more than 12 games total.
The same is true for Southisene, who has "only" played in eight games in the Arizona Fall League so far. However, the lack of playing time is not due to Southisene not performing at the plate at all, as he currently sports a .320/.469/.480 line in 32 plate appearances in the AFL with three steals and as many walks (7) as strikeouts (also 7). It is an admittedly small sample, but a pretty good one.
The biggest takeaway from Southisene's stint in the AFL is that he has barely missed a beat after breaking his wrist. He is hitting the ball with authority, is on time at the plate, and has maintained his very patient approach down in Arizona. That is far from a guarantee that Southisene will come into the 2027 season and immediately push his way into the MLB call-up conversation, but it does show everyone that he is still very much on track.
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