SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — It might seem like a misprint, but it’s true:
Dating back to 2009, either the Peoria Javelinas or Surprise Saguaros have played in the Arizona Fall League Championship Game.
The two west side of the Valley powerhouses met Friday afternoon at Salt River Fields in the latest iteration of the AFL title showdown and delivered a final hurrah to stateside baseball in 2025. A seven-run bottom of the eighth staked Surprise and their collection of Brewers, Guardians, Phillies, Rangers and Royals prospects to a 9-4 championship win, but the contest also delivered a whole host of moments to satiate fans for the long winter ahead.
Here are the eight most memorable takeaways from the 2025 AFL Championship Game:
A Bronx cheer … in Scottsdale
The vibes emanating from the Peoria bullpen were off the charts at the start of the game as the club’s group of relievers serenaded each member of the starting lineup — and a few bench players — with chants, a la Yankee Stadium’s Roll Call. Mariners prospect Charlie Pagliarini pantomiming a stepback jumper from left field in response was a fan favorite.
New threads, same pitcher
Logan Martin began the Fall League in a Royals uniform after making five starts during the regular season. But when he jogged out to start the Championship Game, he had donned a Giants jersey for the first time after being dealt for right-handed pitching prospect Mason Black on Tuesday. The 24-year-old Martin struck out a pair and allowed a run during his lone frame of action, unofficially marking the start of his run in the San Francisco organization.
Boadas constricts Surprise bats
After impressing during the Fall Stars Game last Sunday, Miguelangel Boadas worked three scoreless frames as the starter to set the tone for Peoria. The Twins right-hander recorded 10 whiffs on four different offerings, getting four apiece on both his cutter and slider. The Fall League marked his return to competitive action after undergoing 2024 elbow surgery that wiped out his entire ‘25 regular season.
Flip save and a beauty from O’Rae
Sometimes the biggest plays of the game happen long before the contest is decided. Such was the case as Peoria led 2-0 in the top of the second inning and seemed poised to add to that lead when Orioles No. 4 prospect Enrique Bradfield Jr. laid down a bunt with a runner on third and two outs. The 80-grade speedster went from home-to-first in 4.03 seconds but that wasn’t enough as Brewers prospect Dylan O’Rae came storming in and used just a glove flip to escape the frame.
More playoff excellence from Duno
Less than 24 hours after slugging three home runs and throwing out an attempted basestealer in a key spot to spur Peoria on to the title game, the Reds’ No. 2 prospect (MLB No. 48) again made a perfect throw in a key spot to escape a jam in the bottom of the fourth. At just 19 years old, the Venezuela native and fourth-youngest hitter on the circuit finished his year in style.
Surprise! Saguaros deliver late rally
Twelve batters. Seven runs. The Saguaros’ final trip to the dish as a club in 2025 swung the pendulum permanently in their favor. They collected seven hits as a group — none bigger than the game-tying two-RBI double by Brewers No. 13 prospect Josh Adamczewski and a go-ahead two-RBI single by Juan Benjamin (Guardians).
Sliding on into the win column
The final pitch of the campaign belonged to Brewers right-hander Edwin Jimenez, who struck out MLB’s No. 75 prospect Jonny Farmelo (SEA No. 7) on a nasty 84 mph slider. While catcher Blake Mitchell (KC No. 2/MLB No. 62) was subdued during his jog out to the mound, the party was just getting started once the dugout poured out on the field, complete with water jugs. For all of the pomp and championship circumstance, the biggest cheer came when Surprise manager Jesus Azuaje bounded out to join his team by the mound. Once clad in title-winning t-shirts, the Saguaros players saved one final icy shower for their skipper.
