October 12, 2026 at 9:00 AM
Fall/Winter League Roundup: Anderson erupts as AFL season gets underway
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Arizona Fall League
Over the first week-plus of game action, Antonio Anderson (pictured) has been one of the best hitters in the league. With the Solar Sox down by three runs in the top of the ninth on Friday, Anderson launched a go-ahead grand slam that left the bat at 115.2 mph. He followed that up with another home run on Saturday. In all he is batting .368/.500/.737 with five walks and eight strikeouts in 24 plate appearances. Nazzan Zanetello has also had a solid start, slashing .200/.385/.450 over 26 plate appearances. He has a home run, triple, and two steals to go along with six walks and nine strikeouts. Mason White, a 2026 SoxProspects All-Star, has had the slowest start of the trio. He is 3 for his first 18, though one of his hits was a home run. Similar to the other hitters, he has accumulated a high amount of walks (5) and strikeouts (8). In total the three batters have combined to walk or strikeout in 56 percent of their plate appearances thus far.
Two pitchers have been spotless for Mesa, with Nicholas Judice and Trennor O'Donnell yet to allow a run. Judice has not allowed a baserunner while striking out four in his 2 1/3 innings, while O'Donnell's only blemish is a walk in his three frames. Harry Blum took a loss in his last appearance as he has allowed six of the 13 batters he has faced to reach base, while Madinson Frias and Caden Vire are sporting a 4.50 and 5.40 ERA, respectively.
Despite having a positive run differential, the Solar Sox are 2-4 and are already three games back of first place.
Photo Credit: Antonio Anderson by Kelly O'Connor