The Surprise Saguaros have reached the Arizona Fall League championship game for the sixth straight season, but they’ll have to go through the Peoria Javelinas and the developmental circuit’s best pitching staff to win the title. Catchers played the hero in both semifinal contests.
No. 2 seed Surprise (16-10 during the regular season) advanced to the finals with a dramatic 4-3 walkoff victory over the No. 3 seed Mesa Solar Sox (14-14) when Blake Mitchell (Royals) singled in the winning run in the bottom of the ninth. Alfredo Duno (Reds) bashed three homers totaling 1,290 feet in Thursday’s nightcap to power No. 4 seed Peoria (12-15) to a 9-4 win over the No. 1 seed Scottsdale Scorpions (18-12).
Peoria, which led the league with a 4.82 ERA, will start right-hander Miguelangel Boadas (Twins) against Surprise righty Logan Martin (Giants). The Javelinas have won seven Fall League championships, most recently consecutive titles in 2017-18. The Saguaros have captured four and went back-to-back in 2022-23.
More on the Arizona Fall League:
MLB.com will stream the championship game live at 3:30 p.m. ET, and MLB Network will broadcast the game Saturday at 8 p.m. ET. Mike Ferrin and Jim Callis will call the action at Salt River Fields.
Hereâ€s one prospect to watch from each organization that sends players to the Peoria Javelinas and Surprise Saguaros:
Enrique Bradfield Jr. OF, Orioles (BAL No. 4): A 2023 first-rounder from Vanderbilt, Bradfield features elite speed and is an outstanding center-field defender. He slashed .221/.341/.312 but finished second in the league with 17 steals in 20 games.
Alfredo Duno, C, Reds (CIN No. 2/MLB No. 48): Duno homered four times in the first two playoff games, including three in the semifinals, after batting .213/.356/.298 during the AFL regular season. Signed for $3.1 million out of Venezuela in 2023, he’s one of baseball’s best catching prospects because of his prodigious power and strong defense and arm.
Jonny Farmelo, OF, Mariners (SEA No. 7/MLB No. 75): Farmelo’s speed/power combination and athleticism made him the 29th overall pick in the 2023 Draft as a Virginia prepster. He hit .234/.406/.442 with 12 steals in 23 games.
Ryan Jackson, 2B, Padres: Known most for his on-base prowess, Jackson started games at second base, shortstop and third base for Peoria. The 17th-round pick in 2024 from Southern California batted .213/.424/.319 in 16 games.
Brandon Winokur, 3B, Twins (MIN No. 13): Another 2023 draftee with an impressive blend of power and speed, Winokur went in the third round out of a California high school. He hit .192/.277/.315 with two homers in 21 games.
Luke Adams, 1B, Brewers (MIL No. 8): More talented than the typical 12th-round pick (2022 as an Illinois prepster), Adams stands out with his power potential and on-base ability. He slashed .333/.471/.569 with three homers in 16 games.
Joe Lampe, OF, Guardians: One of the quickest players in the Fall League, Lampe replaced Chase DeLauter on Surprise’s roster after DeLauter made his big league debut in the American League Division Series. The 2022 third-rounder from Arizona State batted .368/.529/.579 with 10 steals in 15 games and scored the walkoff winning run in Thursday’s semifinals.
Logan Martin, RHP, Giants: Martin moved from the Royals to the Giants in a Tuesday deal for Mason Black. Working primarily with a 93-96 mph fastball and an upper-80s cutter, he logged a 9.82 ERA with six strikeouts in 11 AFL innings.
Blake Mitchell, C, Royals (KC No. 2/MLB No. 62): The No. 8 overall pick in the 2023 Draft out of a Texas high school, Mitchell offers plus power and quality defense behind the plate. After hitting just .230/.434/.311 with one homer in 19 games during the AFL regular season, he came through with an RBI double and the walkoff single in the semis.
Malcolm Moore, C, Rangers (TEX No. 11): Moore’s power and plate discipline got him drafted in 2024’s first round out of Stanford, though he has struggled early in his pro career and in the Fall League. He hit .213/.275/.328 with one homer in 17 games.
Dante Nori, OF, Phillies (PHI No. 6): A toolsy center fielder with well-above-average speed, Nori went 27th overall in the 2024 Draft out of a Michigan high school. He batted .308/.386/.436 in 12 games. His grandfather Fred recruited Kyle Schwarber to Indiana as an assistant coach, a role that his father, Micah, has held with five NBA teams during the last 17 seasons.
Discover more from 6up.net
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.