Arizona Fall League announces Week 2 Hitter and Pitcher of the Week

Oct. 17, 2023 — The Arizona Fall League has announced its NFP Hitter and Pitcher of the Week for games from Oct. 9-15.

Hitter of the Week: Surprise Saguaros C Liam Hicks (TEX)

Liam Hicks was practically unstoppable at the plate in the second week of AFL action, going 11-for-12 (.917) with two doubles, three RBIs and three walks in three games. He went 6-for-6 with two RBIs and five runs scored in Surprise’s 17-5 road victory over Scottsdale on October 10. His effort was the first six-hit game in the Arizona Fall League since Jose Tabata on Nov. 19, 2009. He posted a slash line of .917/.933/2.016 and jolted his batting average to a league-leading .571. His performance led Surprise to a five-game winning streak. The Saguaros put up a league-leading 58 runs last week, 11 more than the next team. Hicks said, “My experience has been great, the staff has been awesome and I’ve already learned a lot. The teammates I have got to share the field with have been unbelievable and it’s been a lot of fun creating relationships with them that I know will extend well beyond the end of the AFL season.”

Pitcher of the Week: Scottsdale Scorpions RHP Davis Daniel (LAA)

Playing at the Goodyear Ballpark Tripleheader, Davis Daniel shut down the Peoria Javelinas offense, hurling six innings and allowing one run on two hits with 10 strikeouts. His inning and strikeout totals were both season-highs for an AFL pitcher. Entering play, Peoria led the AFL in runs (107), hits (122), total bases (199) and home runs (17), while striking out less than any other squad (93). Davis picked up the win, throwing 80 pitches (52 strikes) with 11 swings and misses. Scottsdale’s victory was its fourth straight. Davis said, “Everything is feeling really good out of my hand right now. I’m commanding all of my pitches and staying in the zone. I’m going to keep on my routine going into my next start.”

Regarded as the premier development league for baseball’s top prospects, the Arizona Fall League continues to develop top-caliber talent across all 30 MLB Clubs. AFL games will be held at six Cactus League ballparks throughout the 2023 season - Camelback Ranch-Glendale, Peoria Sports Complex, Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, Sloan Park, Scottsdale Stadium and Surprise Stadium. The 17th annual Fall Stars Game (Sunday, Nov. 5) will be played at Sloan Park, and the AFL Championship Game (Saturday, Nov. 11) will return to Scottsdale Stadium, both being televised on MLB Network. The full 2023 Arizona Fall League Schedule and online tickets can be found at the Arizona Fall League website, MLBFallBall.com.