The New Jersey BlueClaws continue to make waves in professional baseball as eight former players head to the prestigious Arizona Fall League (AFL) for the 2025 season. Among them are four players from this year’s roster—outfielder Dante Nori, infielder Carson DeMartini, and pitchers Tommy McCollum and Jaydenn Estanista—along with top Phillies prospect Aidan Miller. The AFL, beginning October 6th, will see these rising stars compete for the Surprise Saguaros, joining elite prospects from the Brewers, Guardians, Rangers, and Royals organizations.
Aidan Miller: Speed and Power on Display
Miller, the Phillies’ #2 prospect and MLB Pipeline’s #47 overall prospect, has had a standout season with Reading. Over 2025, he recorded 52 stolen bases and 13 home runs, hitting .259 across the season, and earned Eastern League Player of the Month honors in August. Miller previously showcased his versatility with the BlueClaws, hitting six home runs in 58 games last season, and remains a key figure in Philadelphia’s future plans following his first-round selection in 2023.
Dante Nori: First-Round Talent
Drafted in the first round last year, Nori has proven his speed and consistency. Starting 2025 with Clearwater, he hit .262 with four home runs and 37 stolen bases, later joining the BlueClaws on August 26th. Over 11 games with Jersey Shore, he went 12-for-43 at the plate and stole 13 bases before moving to Reading to finish the season. MLB Pipeline ranks him as Philadelphia’s #6 prospect, underscoring his growing impact in the organization.
Carson DeMartini: Rising Infield Star
Selected in the fourth round of the 2024 draft from Virginia Tech, DeMartini has impressed with a .284 batting average and eight home runs in 53 games for the BlueClaws. He added two more home runs after his midseason promotion to Reading and has accumulated a combined 45 stolen bases across both levels. MLB Pipeline ranks him as the Phillies’ #13 prospect.
Pitching Talent Leading the Way
Veteran BlueClaws pitchers joining the AFL include Eiberson Castellano, Jack Dallas, Jaydenn Estanista, Daniel Harper, and Tommy McCollum. Castellano, who returned to the Phillies system after being selected in the Rule-5 Draft, has posted a 4-2 record in 19 games for Reading this year. Dallas, originally a non-drafted free agent from Lamar University, has continued his strong performance with a 3.54 ERA in 30 games for the Fighting Phils. Estanista, signed from Curacao in 2019, contributed four saves this year before his promotion. Harper, a University of Kentucky alumnus, maintained a 2.08 ERA in 23 games with Jersey Shore last season before advancing through Reading to Lehigh Valley. McCollum, also a non-drafted free agent, posted three saves over eight innings before his midseason promotion.
The Arizona Fall League has historically been a proving ground for MLB prospects, providing exposure to elite competition and professional development opportunities. These eight former BlueClaws represent the strength of New Jersey’s baseball development pipeline, combining speed, power, and pitching prowess as they aim to make their mark in the AFL.
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