GLENDALE, Ariz. — Saturday’s Arizona Fall League championship recreation incorporates a matchup between the developmental circuit’s greatest pitching workers and its prime offense.
The Shock Saguaros posted the AFL’s greatest report (19-11), giving them an computerized berth within the finals, whereas permitting the fewest runs (159) through the common season. The Saguaros want to repeat as champions after prevailing over the Glendale Desert Canines in an 11-inning thriller a 12 months in the past.
The Peoria Javelinas (15-14-1) confronted a harder path to the championship recreation regardless of main the league with 204 runs. They needed to beat the Salt River Rafters on the ultimate day of the season to achieve Friday’s play-in contest, wherein they noticed the Scottsdale Scorpions 9 runs within the backside of the primary earlier than rallying to win 12-9. The Javelinas search their first title since back-to-back victories in 2017 and 2018.
The championship recreation can be broadcast dwell on MLB Community and streamed on MLB.com, starting at 8 p.m. Japanese Time. Gregg Caserta, Dan O’Dowd and Jim Callis will name the motion at Scottsdale Stadium.
Here is one prospect to look at from every huge league group that contributes gamers to Peoria and Shock:
Jacob Berry, 3B (MIA No. 3): The sixth general decide within the 2022 Draft out of Louisiana State, Berry supplied as spectacular a mix of hitting skill, energy and endurance as anybody in that 12 months’s faculty class. He surprisingly struggled in his first full professional season earlier than hitting .265/.329/.441 within the AFL.
Tyler Locklear, 1B (SEA No. 11): Locklear produced a number of the greatest right-handed energy and exit velocities within the 2022 Draft, going within the second spherical out of Virginia Commonwealth. He batted .284/.415/.473 for Peoria.
Kyle Manzardo, 1B (CLE No. 2): Acquired from the Rays in July for Aaron Civale, Manzardo got here to the Fall League with a status as a pure hitter however has been extra of a masher. He hit .272/.340/.565 and tied for third with six homers through the common season, went deep twice in Peoria’s gorgeous comeback within the semifinals and likewise added a blast within the Fall Stars Recreation.
Jakob Marsee, OF (SD No. 12): Marsee had the most effective offensive season within the AFL, batting .391/.508/.707 and main the league in slugging (.707), OPS (1.215), runs (25), hits (36), doubles (12), extra-base hits (18) and whole bases (65). The 2022 sixth-rounder from Central Michigan is a disciplined hitter with stable pace and good instincts on the bases and within the outfield.
Carson Williams, SS (TB No. 2): The very best-ranked prospect (No. 19 on MLB Pipeline’s High 100) within the championship recreation, Williams gives extra energy and arm energy than most shortstops. A 2021 first-rounder from a California highschool, he hit .246/.366/.275 within the Fall League.
Eric Brown Jr., SS (MIL No. 10): A 2022 first-round pick of Coastal Carolina, Brown stands out along with his bat-to-ball abilities and middle-infield protection. He hit .297/.390/.462 with eight steals for the Saguaros.
Liam Hicks, C (TEX): One of the stunning stars within the Fall League, Hicks led the circuit in batting (.449) and on-base proportion (.553). Drafted within the ninth spherical out of Arkansas State in 2021, he is nonetheless a piece in progress when it comes to receiving and throwing.
Zach Maxwell, RHP (CIN No. 30): Maxwell cuts an intimidating determine on the mound along with his 6-foot-6, 275-pound body and a fastball that reaches triple digits. The 2022 sixth-rounder from Georgia Tech logged a 2.19 ERA whereas placing out 22 in 12 1/3 innings out of the Shock bullpen.
Damiano Palmegiani, 3B (TOR No. 18): Palmegiani completed second within the AFL House Run Derby and tied for third with six homers whereas batting .263/.366/.575. A 14th-rounder from the JC of Southern Nevada in 2021, he may issue into Toronto’s third-base combine subsequent season if he continues to enhance his protection.
Peyton Wilson, 2B (KC No. 26): Wilson gives nicely above-average pace and arm energy, and he additionally has some sneaky energy that belies his 5-foot-8 body. Chosen in 2021’s supplemental second spherical out of Auburn, he hit .272/.390/.432 within the Fall League.