Another fall campaign is in the books as the Arizona Fall League wrapped up competition this week. Prospects from the Brewers, Giants, Guardians, Phillies, Royals and Rangers organizations led the Surprise Saguaros to victory in the Championship Game over the Peoria Javelinas, capping a campaign full of top prospects and big performances.
For the last time in 2025, let’s spotlight the performances that stood out above the rest, this time, with playoff implications on the line.
Here are the top performers from the final week of Fall League action, including the postseason:
Alfredo Duno, C, Peoria (CIN No. 2/MLB No. 48)
Stats: .267 AVG (4-for-15), 4 HR, 9 RBIs, 5 R, 14 TB
The 19-year-old enjoyed one of the best single-game offensive performances in Fall League history in Peoria’s semifinal victory, slugging three home runs and throwing out an attempted basestealer from behind the plate in a key spot. But he stole the show this week with his power. All four of Duno’s hits left the yard, including three in the semifinal game that traveled a combined 1,290 feet. It marked the first three-homer, six-RBI game in the Fall League since at least 2005.
Blake Mitchell, C, Surprise (KC No. 2/MLB No. 62)
Stats: .333 AVG (4-for-12), 4 R, 3 RBIs, 4 BB
The AFL-champion Saguaros wouldn’t have even been in the title game had it not been for Mitchell, who sent them there with a game-winning, walk-off single against Mesa in the semifinals. Mitchell then drove in a run on a sacrifice fly and scored another in the championship. For the eighth overall pick from the 2023 Draft, the effort capped a fall in which his numbers didn’t always reflect his level of play. He hit only .230 over 19 regular-season game, but posted a .434 on-base percentage thanks to 20 walks.
Dylan Campbell, OF, Surprise (PHI No. 28)
Stats: .636 AVG (7-for-11), 3 RBIs, 2 R, 3 BB
Emerging as the Saguaros’ hottest hitter down the stretch, Campbell had more hits than anybody else during the Fall League’s final week and reached in 10 of his 14 plate appearances. His breakout game came Tuesday when he homered as part of a three-hit effort against Salt River. He collected at least one hit in all four games, multiple hits in two and reached base in all three plate appearances in Surprise’s Championship Game victory. The 23-year-old finished his fall in style with a .304/.419/.625 slash line, four homers, 16 RBIs, four steals and 14 walks. His 1.044 OPS led the champion Saguaros during the regular season.
Owen Ayers, C, Mesa (CHC)
Stats: .444 (4-for-9), HR, 6 RBIs, 3 BB
The AFL’s Breakout Player of the Year capped his campaign with a characteristically productive week. He homered and drove in Mesa’s only runs in its quarterfinal win over Salt River, and reached base three times during the club’s semifinal loss to Surprise. The former 19th-round pick was Mesa’s top offensive player this fall, hitting .379 with a 1.130 OPS.
Denholm provided an enormous start for Surprise in the semifinals, firing four no-hit innings to start the semifinal victory over Mesa. The 25-year-old righty held the Solar Sox to one baserunner over four nearly perfect frames, striking out two and leaving with a two-run lead in a game the Saguaros walked off to win, 4-3. It was the second straight excellent outing by Denholm, who was working on fine-tuning his knuckleball this fall in Arizona. He posted a 2.13 ERA with 16 strikeouts across five appearances during the regular season.
Bryce Cunningham, RHP, Mesa (NYY No. 5)
Stats: 4 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, K
The Yankees righty went toe-to-toe with Jack Mahoney in Wednesday’s hard-fought quarterfinal round, blanking Salt River for the first four innings of what became a four-pitcher shutout for Mesa. Cunningham worked around four singles and threw 29 of his 45 pitches for strikes. It was a positive ending to a difficult fall for the 2024 second-rounder as he posted a 10.38 ERA over his previous four starts.
