MESA, Ariz. — The Shock Saguaros will purpose for his or her third straight Arizona Fall League championship on Saturday after they tackle the Salt River Rafters in a battle of the developmental circuit’s finest offenses.
Salt River (16-14) and Shock (18-10) every averaged 6.6 runs per recreation throughout the common season. The Saguaros clinched an automated berth within the finals by posting the AFL’s high report, whereas the Rafters defeated the Scottsdale Scorpions, 13-4, within the Play-in Semifinal on Friday.
If Shock prevails, it should develop into the second workforce within the Fall League’s 30 seasons to win three or extra consecutive titles. The Phoenix Desert Canines gained 5 straight from 2004-08. Salt River seeks its first championship since 2019.
MLB Community will broadcast the championship recreation reside and MLB.com will stream it as effectively, beginning at 8 p.m. ET. Gregg Caserta, Dan O’Dowd and Jim Callis will name the motion from Salt River Fields.
Right here’s one prospect to look at from every group that contributes gamers to the Rafters and Saguaros:
Caleb Durbin, 3B, Yankees: Probably the most prolific basestealer in league historical past, Durbin owns AFL information for swipes in a recreation (4), season (29 in 24 video games) and profession (50 in 47 contests). Acquired in a December 2022 commerce with the Braves for Lucas Luetge, Durbin is a contact hitter with stable velocity and defensive versatility. He slashed .312/.427/.548 with 5 homers.
Robert Hassell, OF, Nationals No. 13: Again for his third stint within the Fall League, Hassell slashed .281/.360/.517 with 4 homers and 5 steals in 19 video games. A part of the blockbuster Juan Soto commerce with the Padres in August 2022, Hassell is a line-drive hitter who supplies stable velocity, arm power and protection.
Ryan Ritter, SS, Rockies No. 12: Ritter produced an uncommon batting line of .150/.477/.350 due to 4 of his six hits going for further bases and his 18 walks over 14 video games. The 2022 fourth-rounder from Kentucky is finest identified for his high quality protection and robust arm.
Kala’i Rosario, OF, Twins No. 19: After profitable the AFL’s 2023 House Run Derby, he positioned third on this 12 months’s occasion and slashed .291/.383/.430 with three homers in 21 video games. A fifth-round choose in 2020 from a Hawaii highschool, he matches the right-field profile along with his energy and arm power.
Tommy Troy, 2B, D-backs No. 19: Drafted twelfth general out of Stanford in 2023, Troy struggled in his first full professional season whereas battling a hamstring harm earlier than recapturing his sweet-swinging methods within the Fall League. He recovered from a 1-for-25 begin to hit .290/.380/.484 with three homers in 22 video games.
Chase DeLauter, OF, Guardians No. 2: The one first-round choose (sixteenth general in 2022) in James Madison historical past, DeLauter presents a tantalizing mixture of measurement (6-foot-4, 235 kilos), athleticism, efficiency and plate self-discipline. After lacking a lot of the Minor League season with foot and hamstring accidents, he has performed twice every week within the AFL (slashing .340/.475/.511) whereas spending a lot of his time working with the Guardians’ coaching workers at their base in Goodyear.
Alejandro Osuna, OF, Rangers No. 16: Osuna idolizes Alex Verdugo and has an analogous offensive profile as a refined lefty hitter with 20-homer potential. He led the Fall League with 22 walks in 25 video games whereas hitting .306/.438/.449. He’s the youthful brother of former All-Star nearer Roberto Osuna and the nephew of ex-big leaguer Antonio Osuna.
Collin Value, C, Astros: Larger than most catchers at 6-foot-4 and 225 kilos, Value presents stable uncooked energy however his protection behind the plate continues to be a piece in progress. A sixth-rounder out of Mercer in 2022, he batted .219/.337/.342 with two homers in 18 video games.
Creed Willems, C, Orioles No. 22: Signed for a effectively over-slot $1 million as an eighth-rounder from a Texas highschool in 2021, Willems has a number of the finest uncooked energy and arm power within the league. He slashed .338/.391/.500 with two homers in 19 video games.
