Waterloo, Iowa – Five former Waterloo Bucks have been placed on preliminary rosters in the Arizona Fall League for professional baseball’s off-season. Brycen Mautz, Christian McGowan, Skyler Messinger, Sam Thoresen, and Peyton Williams will take part in the developmental league’s 2024 season.
Former Waterloo left-handed pitcher Brycen Mautz
will play for the Glendale Desert Dogs. Mautz, a prospect of the St. Louis Cardinals, played for the Bucks in 2021. A product of the University of San Diego, Mautz tallied a 2.08 ERA with 29 strikeouts and three saves in his season with Waterloo. Originally from San Diego, California, Mautz was selected in the 2022 Major League Baseball Draft in the 2nd round with the 59th pick by St. Louis. This past season, Mautz played for the Peoria Chiefs (High A) in the Midwest League, posting a 3-13 record with a 5.18 ERA and 128 strikeouts in 24 starts.
Christian McGowan
will join Mautz on Glendale’s roster this fall. McGowan, a prospect of the Philadelphia Phillies, played for Waterloo in 2020. A product of Eastern Oklahoma State Junior College, McGowan posted a 2-1 record, a 2.93 ERA, and 16 strikeouts with one save on the Bucks’ 2020 Minnesota-Iowa Region Champion squad. The hurler was taken in the 7th round of the 2021 draft with the 205th overall pick by Philadelphia. This past season, McGowan played for three minor league teams in the Phillies’ farm system, finishing the year with the Reading Fightin Phils (Double A) in the Eastern League. McGowan compiled an 0-4 record and 5.36 ERA with 47 strikeouts in 14 games in 2024.
Third baseman Skyler Messinger
will suit up for the Salt River Rafters in the AFL. Messinger, a Colorado Rockies prospect, played for Waterloo in 2018 where he hit .238 with four RBI and three stolen bases. Drafted in 2022 with the 566th overall pick (19th round) by Colorado, the University of Texas product spent time with two teams in the Rockies’ system this past season, most recently with the Spokane Indians (High A) in the Northwest League. In 2024, Messinger totaled a .232 average with three home runs, 25 RBI, and seven stolen bases in 53 games.
Chicago Cubs prospect Sam Thoresen
will join the Mesa Solar Sox in the AFL this fall. A product of the University of Minnesota, Thoresen played for the Bucks in 2018 where he appeared in nine games and finished the season with a 2-2 record, a 5.21 ERA, and 22 strikeouts. Thoresen signed with the Cubs as a non-drafted free agent in 2020 and has compiled 68.1 innings in his minor league career. This past season, the St. Louis Park, Minnesota native played for three teams, most recently with the South Bend Cubs (High A) in the Midwest League. In total for 2024, Thoresen compiled a 1.63 ERA to go along with an 0-1 record, one save, and 40 strikeouts in 22 appearances.
University of Iowa product Peyton Williams
has been assigned to the Scottsdale Scorpions for the fall. A first baseman, Williams played in 33 games for the Bucks in 2020, finishing the season tied for the team single-season record of home runs with 13 and setting a new team record in slugging percentage with a .687 mark. Williams also hit .304 with 36 RBI and was named an NWL Postseason All-Star. Originally from Johnston, Iowa, Williams was taken in the 7th round with the 218th pick by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2022 MLB Draft. Williams played for three teams in Toronto’s farm system this past season, most recently with the Vancouver Canadians (High A) in the Northwest League. During the 2024 season, Williams totaled 11 home runs with 54 RBI to go along with a .288 average in 85 games.
Starting October 7, the five former Bucks will be competing for two months in Arizona against the top players in Minor League Baseball. There are six teams in the Arizona Fall League: Scottsdale Scorpions, Mesa Solar Sox, Salt River Rafters, Glendale Desert Dogs, Peoria Javelinas, and the Surprise Saguaros. Each of the Fall League’s six clubs draws talent from five MLB organizations. Since the developmental league began play in 1992, it has spawned more than 3,000 big leaguers, including Hall of Famers Roy Halladay, Todd Helton, Derek Jeter, and Mike Piazza and current stars including Mookie Betts, Bryce Harper, Aaron Judge, and Francisco Lindor.
More information on the Arizona Fall League can be found here: Arizona Fall League.
The Bucks recently wrapped up their 2024 campaign with a 37-32 record, the second best overall record in the Great Plains East Division. Bucks team ownership has invested nearly $450,000 in stadium improvements over the last decade including an LED video board, group outing areas, painted bleachers, public Wi-Fi, sound system, kids zone inflatables, wiffle ball field, and concessions equipment. Fans are encouraged to stay in touch with the Bucks by utilizing their website at www.waterloobucks.com or utilizing the Northwoods League Mobile App.
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The Waterloo Bucks are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Now in its’ 31st season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in history with 26 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires, and front office staff, 360 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series Champion Max Scherzer (TEX), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (STL) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (ATL). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2023 World Series Champion, MLB All-Star, MLB Gold Glove winner and two-time All-MLB first team shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). League games are viewable live on Northwoods League+ (at watch.northwoodsleague.com), ESPN+, and the Northwoods League Network. Learn more and find complete streaming schedules at watchnwl.com. For more information, visit www.waterloobucks.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Bucks as your favorite team.