Arizona Fall League Hot Sheet: Record-Setting Josue Briceño Finishes With First Triple Crown In AFL History

1. Josue Briceño, 1B, Tigers

• Team: Scottsdale
• Age: 20
• Why He’s Here: .625/.700/1.188 (10-for-16), 7 R, 3 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 7 RBIs, 4 BB, 2 SO

The Scoop: Over the course of six weeks, Briceño put together one of the finest seasons in the history of the Arizona Fall League. The Tigers slugger finished with a .433/.509/.867 slash line, which included 10 home runs and 27 RBIs. The performance amounted to the league’s first triple crown and made him an easy choice for the league’s MVP. His season also made him the first player since 2011 to hit double-digit home runs in the AFL. (JN)

2. Tyler Callihan, OF, Reds

• Team: Glendale
• Age: 24
• Why He’s Here: .385/.429/1.000 (5-for-13) 2 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBIs, 1 BB, 4 SO

The Scoop: Callihan’s AFL season wasn’t particularly flashy, but it did end well, as he hit his only two home runs in the final three games before things wrapped up. Callihan worked on his versatility, as he’s just started playing left field. It could help get him to the majors as a four-position backup who can play first, second, third and left field. (JC)

3. Nick Kurtz, 1B, Athletics

• Team: Mesa 
• Age: 21 
• Why He’s Here: .333/.412/.733 (5-for-15), 3 R, 1 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 3 RBIs, 2 BB, 6 SO, 0-for-0 SB

The Scoop: The Athletics first rounder got a late start in the Fall League, but he made noise while he was active. Kurtz finished off his time in the AFL with a strong week, collecting hits in all four games he played. Kurtz finishes hitting .353/.450/.608 with seven extra base hits. A nice blend of approach, contact skills and power, Kurtz might be the most complete hitter from the 2024 draft. (GP) 

4. Andrew Painter, RHP, Phillies

• Team: Glendale
• Age: 21
• Why He’s Here: 1-0, 3.38, 2.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 SO, 0 HR

The Scoop: After two years spent rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, Painter reappeared in Arizona looking perfectly preserved. The tall righthander ran roughshod over the competition across half a dozen turns in the Glendale rotation. In 15.2 innings of appointment-viewing pitching, Painter struck out 18, walked four and surrendered just 10 hits. The sample is small, but the result is clear: Painter has a chance to be one of the finest starters in the sport for a very long time. (JN)

5. Denzel Clarke, OF, Athletics 

• Team: Mesa 
• Age: 24 
• Why He’s Here: .429/.467/.714 (6-for-14), 4 R, 1 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 1 RBIs, 0 BB, 3 SO, 2-for-3 SB

The Scoop: Clarke enjoyed a standout Fall League after a solid season with Double-A Midland. Over 19 games with Mesa, Clarke hit .382/.495/.566 with seven extra base hits and nine stolen bases. This week, Clarke had hits in all three games he played, including a huge game on Monday in which he went 3-for-5 with a home run. Clarke has a loud combo of power and speed but has struggled to consistently make contact. (GP) 

6. Caleb Durbin, 2B, Yankees

• Team: Salt River
• Age: 24
• Why He’s Here: .417/.500/.750 (5-for-12), 4 R, 1 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 5 RBIs, 1 BB, 1 SO, 6-for-6 SB

The Scoop: In his second straight stint in the Fall League, Durbin made his presence felt. The Yankees prospect stole a league-record 29 stolen bases in 30 tries and walked nearly three times as often as he struck out. His longball in the final week gave him five for the fall, tied for sixth place. His 29 hits were tied for the fourth-most in the league, and his .975 OPS was ninth-best on the circuit. The performance not only upped his individual stock, it also helped Salt River win a championship. (JN)

7. Bo Davidson, OF, Giants

• Team: Scottsdale 
• Age: 22 
• Why He’s Here: .333/.333/.833 (4-for-12), 2 R, 1 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 5 RBIs, 0 BB, 5 SO, 0-for-1 SB

The Scoop: Davidson was a revelation for the Giants this year, as the 2023 undrafted free agent impressed in his pro debut. He carried the momentum through with a solid AFL showing, hitting .283/.362/.433 with six extra base knocks. Davidson had a big week to close out 2024, led by a huge game on Wednesday in which he went 2-for-5 with a double, a home run and five RBIs as Scottsdale defeated Peoria 12-3. (GP) 

8. Jerming Rosario, RHP, Dodgers

• Team: Glendale
• Age: 22
• Why He’s Here: 0-0, 0.00, 1 G, 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 SO

The Scoop: It took a little while for Rosario to get settled into the AFL, but once he did, he was one of the most effective pitchers in the league. In November, Rosario struck out 14 and walked no one across nine scoreless innings. He allowed just four hits for a hard-to-see 0.44 WHIP. Rosario doesn’t have overpowering velocity, but he was getting swings and misses up in the zone with his 93-95 mph fastball, and he was dropping in a solid breaking ball, as well. (JC)

9. Max Acosta, 2B, Rangers

• Team: Surprise
• Age: 22
• Why He’s Here: .500/.538/.667 (6-for-12) 1 R, 2 2B, 5 RBIs, 1 BB, 1 SO, 1 SB, 1 CS

The Scoop: Acosta can leave Arizona with a smile on his face. He was a consistent threat at the plate, and he finished his AFL stint with a six-game hitting streak. He finished ninth in the league in batting average, 14th in slugging percentage and 20th in on-base percentage. He’s a well-rounded middle infielder who should be ready for Triple-A in 2025. (JC)

10. Samy Natera Jr., LHP, Angels

• Team: Mesa
• Age: 25
• Why He’s Here: 0-0, 0.00, 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO, 0 HR

The Scoop: Natera finished the year with an 0.75 ERA, the lowest mark in the league by 1.50 runs. The New Mexico state alum surrendered just five hits over a dozen innings and struck out 17 while walking just four. He allowed one earned run, the same total he let up in 15 regular-season innings at High-A. The southpaw works with a lively fastball in the low-to-mid 90s and complements it with a pair of offspeed pitches which need more polish but still show promise. In a down year for pitching in the AFL, Natera used his time to put himself on the map. (JN)