The Arizona Fall League kicked off the final week of the 2025 season with their All-Star game, the Fall Stars Game, and the American League was victorious by a 5-4 score on Sunday.
The Tigers prospects were involved, but neither Kevin McGonigle nor Max Anderson did a whole lot. A pop-up and a strike out in the first inning against good fastballs from Marlins RHP prospect Karson Millbrandt began their night.
In the bottom of the third, against Jesus Broca, McGonigle walked on a very wild pitch on ball
four and took second for his trouble. He advanced on a Braden Montgomery fly out, and scored on a Max Anderson ground out. A 109.2 mph line out to right field with the bases loaded and a 2-2 count in the fourth was the end of McGonigle’s night. Anderson struck out again in the fifth before departing.
McGonigle played shortstop in this one, and did have one tough chance on a deflected, barehanded do-or-die play. Again, you see that while he doesn’t quite have the freak athleticim of most good shortstops, he’s got enough tools to be okay there too. He’s very young and he’s going to keep getting better in my opinion.
The only action on the pitching side for the Tigers was Dariel Fregio entering the game with runners on first and second and one out in the top of the ninth. The American League led 4-1 at that point. Fregio allowed a little line drive single to left field, where Ryan Lasko’s error allowed hitter Patrick Clohisy to take second on the play. Miguel Ugueto followed with a hot grounder that Fregio tipped through the hole into right field as he tried to make the play. So he blew the save, but got a ground out and then a strikeout of Cam Collier to escape with the game tied. The National League then gave it right back in the bottom of the ninth as a single and a pair of walks from Cardinals prospect Darlin Saladin led to Sam Antonacci’s game-winning, walkoff sacrifice fly. Fregio ended up with the win as a result.
Here’s a little McGonigle BP for your morning.
Rest of the Week
Kevin McGonigle started last week with a 4-for-5 night that included two home runs and a walk on Tuesday, November 4. Max Anderson went 2-4, with a double and two walks, while Jack Penney chipped in a pair of singles.
On Wednesday, RHP Kenny Serwa spun four shutout innings in another Scottsdale Scorpions victory. He only struck out one, but it’s been a struggle in the desert for the knuckleballer, so it was good for him to have a quite outing. McGonigle, Anderson, and Penney had the night off.
The Scorpions won again on Thursday, as McGonigle went 1-for-5 with a triple. Anderson had an RBI and walked twice.
On Friday, the Glendale Desert Dogs beat Scottsdale 9-3, but the Scorpions record is still 18-8 on the short season. McGonigle hit his third homer of the week, a towering two-run shot to right center field. Penney went 1-for-4 with two punchouts. The light-hitting shortstop hits left-handed and takes his walks, but will have a lot to prove with the bat next year as he tackles Double-A at some point.
There are three more games left until the AFL’s short postseason begins on Thursday, November 13.
Max Anderson is hitting .465/.631/.860 with four homers, five doubles, a stolen base, and 18 walks against nine strikeouts in 61 plate appearances, good for a league leading 1.491 OPS.
Kevin McGonigle is hitting .385/.494/.754 with five homers, five doubles, two triples, and 14 walks against 10 strikeouts, with three stolen bases to boot. His OPS is third best at 1.248 OPS.
No one thought either hitter would be challenged at this level and they haven’t been. It was just an opportunity to get each of them more reps before they start competiting for a major league job next season.
