Nov, 21 2025
The Arizona Fall League didn’t just wrap up its 2025 season—it delivered a masterclass in elite prospect development. On November 18, 2025, MLB.com unveiled the official 2025 All-Arizona Fall League Team, capping a six-week showcase that turned desert diamonds into launching pads for future stars. The announcement, led by senior prospect writer Jonathan Mayo, came just a day after a highlight video dropped, but the real story wasn’t the spectacle—it was the substance. Behind the stats, the injuries, and the roster shuffle, a new generation of MLB talent proved it belongs.
League MVP and Batting Champion Lead the Charge
At the heart of the 2025 team sat Kevin McGonigle, the Detroit Tigers’ No. 1 prospect and MLB’s No. 2 overall player. The 20-year-old third baseman didn’t just play—he dominated. Over 19 games for the Scottsdale Scorpions, McGonigle hit .362/.500/.710, walked 19 times, struck out just 12, and flashed surprising polish at a position he’d never played professionally. His OPS? A staggering 1.210. He didn’t just earn MVP—he redefined what elite hitting looks like in a short-season league. Then there was Max Anderson, the Tigers’ No. 9 prospect, who didn’t just compete for the batting title—he stole it. In just 14 games, Anderson hit .447/.609/.809, leading the league in average, on-base percentage, and OPS. He walked 18 times against only nine strikeouts. That’s not luck. That’s control. That’s plate discipline at a level few 21-year-olds even dream of. His performance was so dominant, it drew comparisons to Ronald Acuña Jr.’s 2018 AFL campaign—another player who turned a fall showcase into a spring training must-watch.Glendale’s Power Duo: Montgomery and Antonacci
The Glendale Desert Dogs weren’t just a team—they were a talent bomb. Braden Montgomery, the White Sox’s top prospect and MLB’s No. 35 overall, returned from a foot fracture to hit .366/.527/.634 in 12 games. His power-speed combo—10 extra-base hits and 7 steals—made him impossible to ignore. He’s now on the fast track to Chicago’s outfield, especially with Eloy Jiménez’s future uncertain. And then there was Sam Antonacci, the second baseman who came from nowhere. A fifth-round pick out of Coastal Carolina, Antonacci had a quiet first pro season (.843 OPS) before exploding in Arizona: .378 average, .505 OBP, 11 steals. He didn’t have the hype of McGonigle or Montgomery, but his consistency—especially his ability to draw walks and hit for average—made him a quiet revelation. The Chicago White Sox now have two future middle-infielders in one league.The Prospect Pipeline: 13 Top 100 Names, Six Teams, One Mission
The 2025 Arizona Fall League featured 13 players from MLB’s Top 100 prospects list—a record for the modern era. The headliners? Kevin McGonigle (Tigers), Sebastian Walcott (Rangers), and Josue De Paula (Dodgers). But the depth was staggering: Hagen Smith (LHP, White Sox, No. 88), Cam Collier (1B/3B, Reds, No. 95), and Alfredo Duno (C, Reds, No. 71) all made the Fall Stars Game roster on November 9 at Sloan Park in Mesa. The six teams weren’t just random groupings—they were MLB pipelines in microcosm. The Scottsdale Scorpions carried the Tigers, Astros, Mets, Giants, and Nationals. The Glendale Desert Dogs featured the Braves, White Sox, Dodgers, Cardinals, and Blue Jays. And the Surprise Saguaros? They were the wild card: Rangers, Phillies, Guardians, Royals, Brewers, Phillies, and Twins—all sending their most intriguing, injury-plagued, or raw prospects to get reps.
Why This Matters: More Than Just Stats
The Arizona Fall League isn’t a glorified exhibition. It’s a pressure cooker. Players here are either fighting for a 40-man roster spot, rehabbing from injury, or trying to silence doubters. Drey Jameson, once a Top 100 prospect, is now fighting to stay relevant with the Arizona Diamondbacks as Corbin Burnes and A.J. Puk sit out. Marcelo Perez, a 25-year-old righty from TCU, is on the 40-man fringe—his sinker and control could be the difference between a call-up and a minor league lifer. And then there’s the development angle. The league’s role as a “finishing school” is real. Cam Collier moved from shortstop to third base. McGonigle made his first professional start at third. These aren’t just stats—they’re skill transitions. These are players learning to adapt, to refine, to become major leaguers.What’s Next? Spring Training, Then the Show
The real test begins in February. Will McGonigle’s plate discipline translate to big-league pitching? Can Anderson’s .609 OBP hold up against elite relievers? Will Montgomery’s foot hold up over 162 games? The Detroit Tigers might have two future middle-of-the-order bats in McGonigle and Anderson. The Chicago White Sox now have two elite outfield/second base options in Montgomery and Antonacci. And don’t sleep on the organizational depth. The Cincinnati Reds sent three Top 100 prospects to Arizona—Duno, Lowder, and Collier. The Texas Rangers have Walcott, a potential shortstop of the future. The Los Angeles Dodgers have De Paula, a 6’3” center fielder with elite speed and instincts. This isn’t just a league. It’s a preview of the next five years of MLB.Frequently Asked Questions
How did Kevin McGonigle’s performance impact his MLB timeline?
McGonigle’s .710 slugging percentage and elite plate discipline in the AFL have all but locked in a 2026 Opening Day roster spot with the Detroit Tigers. With Miguel Cabrera retired and Spencer Torkelson moving to first base, McGonigle is now the favorite to start at third base—possibly as early as April. His performance erased any doubts about his defensive readiness.
Why is Max Anderson’s .447 average so unusual in the AFL?
The Arizona Fall League features pitchers with advanced stuff, often MLB-ready arms or top relievers. Hitting .447 over 14 games—especially with a .609 OBP—is virtually unheard of. The last player to hit over .440 in a full AFL season was Mike Trout in 2011. Anderson’s ability to recognize spin and lay off breaking balls makes him a rare talent.
Which teams benefited most from the 2025 AFL season?
The Detroit Tigers and Chicago White Sox emerged as clear winners. The Tigers gained two elite prospects (McGonigle and Anderson) who both dominated offensively. The White Sox added Montgomery, a potential leadoff hitter with power, and Antonacci, a contact hitter with elite on-base skills. Both teams now have multiple middle-of-the-order options for 2026.
What role does the AFL play for injured prospects?
The AFL is a critical rehab and reprieve zone. Braden Montgomery returned from a foot fracture to play 12 games. Drey Jameson, sidelined by injuries since 2023, used the AFL to rebuild his mechanics. Teams use it to give players 50-70 at-bats or innings without the pressure of a major league roster spot. It’s not just development—it’s survival.
Are any of these players likely to debut in 2026?
Absolutely. McGonigle, Anderson, and Montgomery are all projected for Opening Day 2026 rosters. Walcott (Rangers) and De Paula (Dodgers) are likely midseason call-ups. Even Hagen Smith, the White Sox lefty, could join the rotation by July if he continues his strikeout-heavy progression. The AFL isn’t just a preview—it’s a launchpad.
How does the AFL compare to other minor league systems?
Unlike Triple-A, where veterans often dominate, the AFL is pure prospect territory. It’s the only league where MLB teams send their best young players—regardless of level—to compete against peers. The competition level is higher than any minor league, and the exposure is unmatched. It’s the final exam before the majors.