While we’re sad to see another Arizona Fall League season come to an end — No. 33 to be precise — we’re still celebrating all of the impressive prospect performances we witnessed.
Later this week, we’ll have a ranking of top prospects based more on long-term value. For now, we wanted to focus on performances this fall during the six weeks of the 2025 iteration, so here’s the All-AFL Team.
C: Owen Ayers, Mesa (CHC unranked)
A 19th-round pick in 2024, Ayers made up for missed time from 2025 (broken hand) by putting up better numbers than he has in two seasons with Single-A Myrtle Beach, finishing with a .379/.539/.591 line while also throwing out 27 percent of potential basestealers in the desert.
Honorable mention: Chris Suero, NYM
1B: Parks Harber, Scottsdale (SF No. 21)
Harber hit so well in the AFL — .383/.513/.683 (fourth in the league with an 1.196 OPS) — that he debuted on San Francisco’s Top 30 all the way up at No. 21 when a replacement was needed following the trade of Mason Black. He’s likely a first baseman in the future, but did see time in right field this fall.
Honorable mention: Luke Adams, MIL; Charlie Condon, COL
2B: Sam Antonacci, Glendale (CWS No. 11)
A classic overachiever who went from junior college to Coastal Carolina to fifth-round pick, Antonacci didn’t slow down after an OPS of .843 in his first full season of pro ball, slashing .378/.505/.541 with eight extra-base hits and 11 steals in the AFL.
Honorable mention: Charlie Pagliarini, SEA
3B: Kevin McGonigle, Scottsdale (DET No. 1/MLB No. 2)
The top-ranked prospect in the AFL didn’t disappoint, taking home league MVP honors. McGonigle hit .362/.500/.710 with a 19/12 BB/K ratio over 19 games while also looking quite competent defensively manning the hot corner for the first time.
Honorable mention: Nacho Alvarez Jr., ATL; Cutter Coffey, TOR; Tommy White, ATH
SS: Seaver King, Scottsdale (WSH No. 7)
After a subpar first full season, the 2024 No. 10 overall pick hit the reset button this fall, putting up a .359/.468/.563 line with three homers, a 15/11 BB/K ratio and 11 steals over 18 games.
Honorable mention: Starlyn Caba, MIA; Joshua Kuroda-Grauer, ATH; Daniel Vazquez, KC
OF: Esmerlyn Valdez, Salt River (PIT No. 15)
Even after cooling off following his eight home runs in nine games start to his AFL stint, Valdez finished with a .368/.513/.842 line, leading the circuit in homers, RBIs (27) and slugging en route to being named the league’s Offensive Player of the Year.
OF: Raudi Rodriguez, Salt River (LAA unranked)
He’s not on the Angels’ Top 30 … for now. After putting himself on the map during the regular season with 14 homers and 38 steals in his full-season debut, Rodriguez opened a lot of eyes this fall by hitting .433/.514/.650 and also earning Fall Stars Game MVP honors.
OF: Braden Montgomery, Glendale (CWS No. 1/MLB No. 35)
The 2024 first-round pick was slowed out of the gate this fall recovering from a foot fracture, but he swung the bat well once he returned to action, hitting .366/.527/.634 over 12 games.
Honorable mention: Josh Adamczewski, MIL; Joe Lampe, CLE; Ryan Lasko, ATH; Nick Morabito, NYM; Sam Petersen, WSH; Jared Thomas, COL
DH: Max Anderson, Scottsdale (DET No. 9)
Over 14 games, Anderson put up a ridiculous .447/.609/.809 line, winning the AFL batting title while topping the league in OBP and OPS, walking (18) twice as much as he struck out (nine).
Honorable mention: Dylan Campbell, Phillies
SP: James Hicks, Scottsdale (HOU No. 26)
The AFL Pitcher of the Year, Hicks didn’t allow a run over 14 innings of work. He yielded just six hits and two walks while striking out 19, holding hitters to a paltry .130 batting average.
SP: Hagen Smith, Glendale (CWS No. 5/MLB No. 88)
The No. 5 overall pick in the 2024 Draft had a fairly successful first full season despite seeing a dip in his velocity and stuff, but he was averaging 95 mph with his fastball and 83 mph with his slider this fall while posting a 2.57 ERA and .143 BAA with 21 K’s over 14 IP.
Honorable mention: Luis De León, BAL; Cade Smith, NYY
RP: Cade Denton, Salt River (COL unranked)
After a solid season out of High-A Spokane’s bullpen, Denton took home AFL Reliever of the Year honors by registering scoreless outings in six of his seven appearances, posting an 18/4 K/BB ratio, an 0.85 WHIP and a .152 BAA over 13 IP.
Honorable mention: Yordin Chalas, ARI; Dennis Colleran, KC; Welinton Herrera, COL; Will Johnston, ATH; Darlin Saladin, STL
