The 2025 Arizona Fall League Championship Game brought the kind of late-inning drama people have come to expect from this showcase. In a familiar matchup, the Peoria Javelinas faced the Surprise Saguaros—a rivalry that’s basically owned the league’s finals since 2009.
The Saguaros came alive with a wild seven-run rally in the bottom of the eighth, snatching a 9-4 victory and the Fall League crown. The night blended celebration, defensive highlights, and flashes of future MLB stardom, making it a must-watch for anyone hoping to spot tomorrow’s stars.
A Familiar Rivalry Reignited
For more than ten years, the Javelinas and Saguaros have been the Arizona Fall League’s headline rivalry. This year’s meeting pulled in a big crowd and plenty of hype, both in the stands and on the field.
Their history together always seems to create tight contests and a certain tension that you can feel. Fans stayed glued to every pitch from start to finish.
Pre-Game Ceremonies Set the Stage
Before the action started, the league took a moment to celebrate its top talent. Kevin McGonigle, a Detroit Tigers prospect, received the Joe Black MVP Award, which really cements his reputation as a rising star.
The Peoria bullpen kept things loose with some “Yankee-style” roll call chants. Mariners prospect Charlie Pagliarini even got in on the fun, answering with a playful basketball move that got a few laughs.
Pitching Performances and Defensive Brilliance
The fireworks on offense didn’t really start until late, but the early innings gave us some sharp pitching and slick defense. Logan Martin had just joined the Giants from the Royals and made a strong first impression, striking out two in a single inning of relief.
Miguelangel Boadas from the Twins put up three scoreless frames for Peoria, which was pretty encouraging after his elbow surgery. That’s got to feel good for him.
Highlight-Reel Defensive Plays
The game had defensive plays that would turn heads anywhere. Brewers prospect Dylan O’Rae made a glove flip in the second inning to stop a Javelinas rally—definitely a highlight.
Reds prospect Alfredo Duno showed off his arm with a perfect throw to erase a Saguaros threat, proving once again that he can handle the big moments.
The Eighth-Inning Explosion
The Javelinas controlled things early, but everything changed in the bottom of the eighth. The Saguaros unleashed a seven-run surge that completely flipped the mood in the stadium.
Key Hits That Sealed the Win
Brewers prospect Josh Adamczewski cracked a two-RBI double to tie the game, and you could feel the momentum swing. Then Juan Benjamin from the Guardians knocked in the go-ahead run, putting the Saguaros up for good.
After that, Peoria just couldn’t recover in the ninth.
Closing Out the Championship
With everything on the line, Brewers right-hander Edwin Jimenez came in to finish it off. He punched out the final batter, and the Saguaros spilled onto the infield, celebrating like kids.
Manager Jesus Azuaje got an icy shower to cap the night—a classic ending to an Arizona Fall League championship that’ll stick in the memory for a while.
Why This Game Matters
The Arizona Fall League has always been a proving ground for baseball’s next generation. The 2025 championship just hammered that home again.
Fans saw MLB-ready defensive skills and clutch hitting in high-stakes moments. Scouts probably scribbled furiously in their notebooks, watching players show real resilience.
McGonigle’s MVP honor stood out, and the Saguaros’ rally added another wild chapter to the league’s fall tradition. Every year, these storylines keep shaping the future of the big leagues.
Key Takeaways from the 2025 AFL Championship:
- The Surprise Saguaros made their seventh straight finals appearance since 2009, keeping their rivalry with Peoria alive and heated.
- Kevin McGonigle grabbed the Joe Black MVP Award, which really says a lot about how quickly he’s moving up in the Tigers’ system.
- Dylan O’Rae and Alfredo Duno stunned fans with some seriously sharp defense.
- Josh Adamczewski and Juan Benjamin came through with clutch hits in that wild eighth-inning rally.
- Edwin Jimenez nailed down the win with a closing strikeout, locking in a 9-4 victory and the AFL title.
Here is the source article for this story: Top moments in the Arizona Fall League Championship Game
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