LIVE: Watch AFL Home Run Derby
Who wants to see some dingers in the desert?
The Arizona Fall League Home Run Derby returns tonight — Saturday, Nov. 4 — to Sloan Park in Mesa for another exhibition of some of the prospect-laden circuit’s top sluggers. Mariners prospect Robert Perez Jr. defeated Orioles bopper Heston Kjerstad, 11-10, in the final round of last year’s edition.
The 2023 slugging slate is just as loaded, headlined by a pair of Top 100 prospects in the Guardians’ Kyle Manzardo (No. 58) and the Cubs’ Kevin Alcántara (No. 71). There’s also a former Golden Spikes Award winner in the D-Backs’ Ivan Melendez and the AFL co-home run leader in the Twins’ Kala’i Rosario (whose seven longballs tie him with fellow Minnesota prospect Aaron Sabato).
The Derby will be streamed live from Mesa on MLB.com at 9:30 p.m. ET/6:30 local. Identical twins Chris and Stefan Caray — the new wave of a baseball broadcasting dynasty — will be on the call.
Here is the full group of 2023 AFL Home Run Derby participants:
Kevin Alcántara (CHC No. 4, MLB No. 71), Mesa Solar Sox: The right-handed slugger has the potential for at least above-average power as he matures into his 6-foot-6 frame. After hitting 13 homers in 102 games during the regular season, he is tied for third in the AFL with five dingers over 17 contests this autumn. Alcántara has talked about having an opposite-field approach in games, but if he’s focused solely on drawing power to the pull-side Saturday, he could put on a show in his organization’s Spring Training home.
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