Outfielder Raudi Rodriguez earned MVP honors in the Arizona Fall League's Fall Stars Game, helping the American League secure a 5-4 walk-off victory over the National League. Rodriguez went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a walk in the Monday night contest in Mesa, Ariz. The game capped a strong Week 4 of standout prospect performances across the league.
The 19th annual Arizona Fall League Fall Stars Game showcased top prospects from across Major League Baseball, with the American League rallying for a 5-4 win in the bottom of the ninth. Rodriguez, an Angels prospect, opened the scoring with an 111 mph RBI single in the second inning and added a 112 mph single in the seventh, plus a bases-loaded walk for another RBI. His performance highlighted his strong AFL campaign, where he is batting .421/.507/.614 with eight extra-base hits in 17 games.
Sam Antonacci of the White Sox provided the game-winning sacrifice fly in the ninth against Darlin Saladin of the Cardinals. Earlier, Antonacci drew a bases-loaded walk for an RBI in the fifth. Other key contributors included Blake Mitchell of the Royals, who hit a 104 mph double in the second to score the first run and later added another score, and Miguel Ugueto of the Cardinals, whose two-run single in the top of the ninth tied the game at 4-4.
On the mound, Luis De León of the Orioles threw a perfect first inning with 10 pitches and two strikeouts, while Cade Smith of the Yankees delivered a perfect fourth on nine pitches. Hagen Smith of the White Sox worked a scoreless second with two strikeouts on his slider.
The game followed a exciting Week 4 of AFL action. Kevin McGonigle of the Tigers hit three home runs, including a four-hit, two-homer game on Tuesday, boosting his slash line to .385/.494/.754. Enmanuel Tejeda of the Yankees went 5-for-5 with three steals in Mesa's 21-run outburst against Scottsdale. Patrick Clohisy of the Braves recorded four hits and four steals that week, contributing an RBI in the Stars Game. Pitchers like Trenton Denholm of the Guardians tossed four scoreless innings with six strikeouts, and Chen-Wei Lin of the Cardinals struck out five in three innings.