MESA, Ariz. — Thayron Liranzo wielded one of many Arizona Fall League’s most potent bats within the first 4 weeks of the season, however he had struggled as of late. Coming into the annual Fall Stars Recreation, he had gone hitless in his final 10 at-bats.
However with the competition deadlocked within the prime of the ninth inning Saturday evening, Liranzo got here via. The Tigers catcher blasted a 94-mph fastball from Griff McGarry (PHI No. 21) over the right-field fence, offering the successful margin within the American League’s 6-5 victory and incomes MVP honors.
Listed here are 12 gamers who stood out within the AFL’s greatest showcase:
Edwin Arroyo, SS (CIN No. 3/MLB No. 66)Making up for misplaced time after lacking the whole season with a torn labrum in his left shoulder, Arroyo hit a pair of line-drive singles in two journeys to the plate. He additionally stole a base and began the sport’s solely double play.
Jac Caglianone, 1B (KC No. 1/MLB No. 17)Caglianone received the AL’s five-run outburst within the second inning going with a leadoff stroll. The very best-ranked prospect on MLB’s Pipeline’s High 100 record smoked an opposite-field double and swiped a base within the third inning earlier than capping his evening with one other free cross.
Caleb Durbin, 3B (NYY)Durbin has starred within the AFL for 2 years and did a bit of little bit of every thing within the Fall Stars Recreation. He went 2-for-3 with a two-run double, scored a run, walked, stole a base and made a nifty diving cease and throw on a smash by Geovanny Planchart (Pirates) within the backside of the eighth.
Allan Hernandez, RHP (CLE)A sleeper prospect drafted within the twelfth spherical out of a Miami highschool in 2019, Hernandez delivered the lone 1-2-3 inning of the evening. He wanted simply 10 pitches to navigate an ideal fourth whereas working with a mid-90s fastball and a mid-80s slider.
Thayron Liranzo, C (DET No. 6)Acquired within the July commerce that shipped Jack Flaherty to the Dodgers, Liranzo battled McGarry for seven pitches earlier than crushing the ultimate providing 437 toes with an exit velocity of 112 mph. He turned the primary catcher since Gary Sánchez (2015) to win the Fall Stars MVP award.
Tre’ Morgan, OF (TB No. 10)Morgan has displayed among the best approaches within the developmental league and continued to take action by coaxing a pair of walks and doubling in 4 plate appearances. He additionally stole a base and made a pleasant working catch within the second inning.
Samy Natera Jr., LHP (LAA)One of many league’s prime pitching performers, Natera struck out the facet within the backside of the fifth. He caught Jonathan Lengthy (CHC No. 30) wanting on a 95-mph fastball, did the identical to Robert Hassell III (WSH No. 13) on an 82-mph slider and received Gino Groover (AZ No. 9) swinging on one other 82-mph slide piece.
Andrew Pintar, OF (MIA No. 18)Like Liranzo, Pintar had been slumping, getting into the Fall Stars Recreation in a 2-for-26 slide. He snapped out of it with a double and a single in two at-bats.
Adrian Pinto, 2B (TOR)Pinto hit the primary homer of the sport, a three-run blast off Evan Justice (Rockies) within the second that traveled 414 toes with an exit velocity of 107 mph. He hadn’t gone deep in his first 22 AFL regular-season video games.
Ethan Salas, C (SD No. 1/MLB No. 19)The second-youngest participant (18 years, 5 months) and second-highest ranked prospect on the circuit singled and walked in two plate appearances. Salas confirmed off his uncommon quickness and athleticism for a catcher by swiping second and third base within the span of 5 pitches within the third inning and scoring on an errant throw.
Eriq Swan, RHP (LAD)The one pitcher to work a number of innings, Swan received six outs with 26 pitches and retired six of the eight batters he confronted. One of many breakout arms within the AFL, he handled a 96-97 mph fastball and struck out Durbin wanting with an 88-mph slider.
Jett Williams, SS (NYM No. 2/MLB No. 52)Williams offered the very best defensive spotlight of the night, making a leaping seize behind second base to rob Max Ferguson (Pink Sox) of a single. He additionally walked and scored the sport’s first run.
