On Saturday, the Surprise Saguaros (19-11) faced off against the Peoria Javelinas (15-14) in a one game finale to the 2023 Arizona Fall League. Behind strong outings from both Angel Zerpa and Eric Cerantola, the Saguaros came away victorious to capture the AFL Championship. Zerpa, who pitched in five games this fall with a 5.56 ERA, started the game for Surprise. He pitched three full innings, allowing just one hit and no runs while striking out six.
The Saguaros scored in the bottom of the third to take a 1-0 lead and put Zerpa in line for the win. In relief, Eric Cerantola allowed a run on a wild pitch in the top of the fourth inning. Cerantola would return for a scoreless fifth inning and finished his day with three strikeouts and one run allowed over two innings pitched. In the bottom of the fifth, Surprise got on the board again — this time for four runs — and took a 5-1 lead.
The Javelinas did their best to make it close. A four-run top of the ninth brought Peoria within one run but ultimately Brewers prospect Justin Yeager closed the door to seal the 6-5 win. Royals prospects C.J Alexander (1/4, BB, SB) and Peyton Wilson (1/4) played in the Championship game as well.
With the win, the 2023 Arizona Fall League now comes to a close, finishing the fall for a handful of Royals prospects that hope to snag a spot on the team’s 40-man roster ahead of the November 14 roster deadline. Here’s a look at each prospects final stats from this year’s Fall League:
Rylan Kaufman: 8.2 IP, 4.15 ERA, 9 SO, 5 BB
Beck Way: 6.0 IP, 6.00 ERA, 7 SO, 6 BB
CJ Alexander: .215/.310/.529, 3 HR, 7 BB, 16 SO
Peyton Wilson: .270/.386/.424, 2 HR, 16 BB, 19 SO
Angel Zerpa: 14.1 IP, 4.47 ERA, 20 SO, 7 BB
Jacob Wallace: 6.0 IP, 6.00 ERA, 9 SO, 6 BB
Gavin Cross: .222/.353/.296, 7 SB, 6 BB, 8 SO
Eric Cerantola: 14.0 IP, 3.86 ERA, 21 SO, 6 BB
Omar Hernandez: .125/.125/.125, 1 H
Nick Loftin: .273/.273/.455, 3 H
Daniel Lynch IV: 3.0 IP, 3.00 ERA, 5 SO, 1 BB
Next up this offseason, the foreign winter leagues continue for Royals minor leaguers such as Nate Eaton, Diego Hernandez, and Steven Cruz. Beyond that, there won’t be much notable game action until spring training. The Winter Meetings take place the first week of December.