
Jim Callis
MESA, Ariz. — Outfielder Raudi Rodriguez emerged as one of many Angels' finest offensive prospects this 12 months, slashing .281/.372/.470 with 14 homers and 38 steals at Single-A throughout his full-season debut. He has been of the hardest outs within the Arizona Fall League as properly, batting .421/.507/.614 with eight extra-base hits in 17 contests.
Rodriguez didn't ease up within the nineteenth annual Fall Stars Recreation, incomes MVP accolades whereas serving to the American League to a 5-4 victory. He received the scoring began within the second inning by smoking an 86-mph slider from Jack Dallas (Phillies) for an RBI single at 111 mph, the third-hardest hit ball of the sport. He topped that within the seventh inning with a 112-mph single off a 96-mph fastball from Carson Montgomery (Padres) within the seventh.
Fall Stars Recreation protection:
All instructed, Rodriguez went 2-for-3 with two RBIs, plating one other run with a bases-loaded stroll within the fifth. Listed here are 11 different standouts from the AFL's signature occasion:
Sam Antonacci, 2B, White Sox (No. 11)
Antonacci is understood for his bat-to-ball expertise and on-base skill, and each had been essential to the AL's victory. He drove in a fifth-inning run with a bases-loaded stroll in opposition to Koen Moreno (Cubs), then supplied the walk-off winner within the backside of the ninth with a sacrifice fly in opposition to Darlin Saladin (Cardinals).
Anderson Brito, RHP, Astros (No. 7)
Brito options a number of the finest stuff within the Fall League and showcased it throughout a scoreless third inning. He matched Karson Milbrandt (MIA No. 18) for the toughest fastball of the day at 99.0 mph, delivered one other at 98.9 mph and averaged 98.1 mph along with his heater. He additionally produced three of the 5 finest spin charges on curveballs, starting from 2,646 to 2,686 rpm.
Extra on the Arizona Fall League:
Cam Collier, 1B, Reds (No. 6/MLB No. 94)
Collier has a historical past of coming by means of in showcase occasions, together with hitting the primary house run in Spring Breakout historical past and profitable MVP honors on the 2024 Futures Recreation. In his first plate look, he produced the hardest-hit ball of the night time (113 mph) with an eighth-inning single off a 91-mph cutter from Jimmy Kingsbury (Mariners).
Luis De León, RHP, Orioles (No. 21)
One of many AFL's finest starters this fall, De León wanted simply 10 pitches to open the sport with an ideal prime of the primary inning. Proper fielder Enrique Bradfield Jr. (BAL No. 4) helped with a pleasant operating catch on a line drive by Seaver King (WSH No. 7), however De León took care of the remainder of his enterprise by himself. He struck out Nick Morabito (NYM No. 16) on an 86-mph slider and Parks Harber (Giants) on an 85-mph splitter, and he additionally delivered three sinkers at 96-97 mph.
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Kevin McGonigle, SS, Tigers (No. 1/MLB No. 2)
The best-ranked prospect within the Fall League went 0-for-2 on the plate however did a few little issues to assist the AL construct an early lead. When King smacked a grounder off Brito's glove within the third inning, McGonigle raced in and made a barehanded play to nip the speedster at first base. He led off the underside half with a stroll and raced to second when a wild ball 4 by Jesús Broca (Brewers) eluded catcher Owen Ayers (Cubs). That led to a run, as McGonigle went to 3rd on a flyout and scored on a grounder by Max Anderson (DET No. 9).
Blake Mitchell, C, Royals (No. 2/MLB No. 62)
Although he's among the best catching prospects in baseball, Mitchell has scuffled by means of a lot of the Fall League's common season. He shook off these struggles to lash a 104-mph double — the sport's lone extra-base hit — off a 95-mph slider by Dallas within the second and got here round to attain the sport's first run. He additionally walked and scored within the fourth.
Braden Montgomery, OF, White Sox (No. 1/MLB No. 35)
The highest White Sox prospect made issues occur on the basepaths for the American League, scoring a run after strolling twice. He additionally slugged a 98.7 mph flyout from the No. 2 spot within the order.
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Felix Neon, house plate umpire
Neon known as a fantastic recreation behind the plate, even when gamers challenged his calls seven occasions. The ABS system upheld six of them, along with his solely miss a strike name on a ball 7/10ths of an inch off the plate.
Cade Smith, RHP, Yankees (No. 19)
Smith missed many of the season with shoulder points however has been probably the most environment friendly pitchers in Arizona, logging a 2.13 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and .159 average-against in 12 2/3 innings. That continued within the Fall Stars Recreation, as he required simply 9 pitches (eight strikes) to spin an ideal fourth. He retired two of the developmental circuit's most harmful hitters, proper fielder Esmerlyn Valdez (PIT No. 15) and Ayers, whereas primarily working with a 77-83 mph curveball.
Hagen Smith, LHP, White Sox (No. 5/MLB No. 88)
The lone Prime 100 prospect to pitch within the recreation, Smith navigated a single and a stroll to ship a scoreless second with two strikeouts. He fanned Chris Suero (NYM No. 15) and Starlyn Caba (MIA No. 5) on his signature pitch, a slider that ranged from 82-86 mph, and labored from 95-98 along with his fastball.
Miguel Ugueto, OF, Cardinals
Ugueto went from the Minor League section of the 2024 Rule 5 Draft to the Nationwide League's greatest hero. He turned an 84-mph slider from Dariel Fregio (Tigers) right into a two-run single, capping a three-run rally to tie the sport at 4-4 within the prime of the ninth.