The top prospect in this year's Arizona Fall League has started to show precisely why that is the case. But there were also abundant displays of power and speed in the third week -- and some of those came from the same person. Not to be left out, one pitcher has yet to be scored upon during his campaign in the desert.
Here are the top performers from Week 3 of Fall League action:
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The highest-ranked prospect to play in the Fall League in a long time is heating up after a slow start. McGonigle produced three multihit games that included a four-hit game with a go-ahead extra-inning home run this week. That was the second big fly in as many games for McGonigle, who launched a 99.4 mph fastball 107.2 mph and 424 feet, per Statcast. He sports a 1.101 OPS this fall, and six of his 14 hits have gone for extra bases.
Josh Adamczewski, OF, Surprise (MIL No. 13)
Stats: .429 AVG (6-for-14), 3 R, 2 2B, 2 HR, 6 RBIs, 3 BB, 13 TB
The 20-year-old is thriving at the plate amid a defensive change as he gets more reps in the outfield this fall after playing much of his pro career at second base. His two homers for the week gave him four through three weeks of play -- good for second-most of any player on the circuit. He also ranks among the league's top six in RBIs and slugging, as eight of his 10 total hits have gone for extra bases.
Jack Hurley, OF, Salt River (D-backs)
Stats: .385 AVG (5-for-13), 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 8 RBIs, 14 TB
Most of Hurley's damage came in one huge game, but that can't be held against him. The 2023 third-round pick amassed a four-hit, two-homer, eight-RBI night for the Rafters on Thursday night, powering the club from the 7-spot in the order. The 23-year-old was limited by injuries this season and has struggled with lopsided K-BB ratios as a pro. But he's healthy this fall and making progress early, sporting five free passes opposite seven strikeouts.
Sam Antonacci, INF, Glendale (CWS No. 11)
Stats: .692 AVG (9-for-13), HR, 5 R, RBI, 4 BB, 12 TB, 5 SB
Antonacci was a force to be reckoned with, reaching base in 13 of his 17 plate appearances this week and then causing havoc on the basepaths. A fifth-round pick in 2024, the 22-year-old stole 48 bases this season across three levels. He also went 5-for-6 in steal attempts this week; his eight total steals are tied for fourth-most among players this fall. He's also tied for fifth in hits with 16 through 11 games.
Leo Balcazar, INF, Peoria (CIN No. 23)
Stats: ,444 AVG (8-for-18), 2 2B, 5 R, 5 RBIs, 2 BB, 10 TB, SB
The Javelinas' infielder became the first player to crack the 20-hit plateau this fall with a four-hit night Saturday, keeping him ahead of the pack atop the circuit's leaderboard. With 20 hits in 13 games, Balcazar has two more than the next closest hitters. He’s slashing .385/.439/.462 with nine RBIs and three stolen bases, collecting at least one knock in 12 of 13 games. He's also scored 11 times and stolen four bases.
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James Hicks, RHP, Scottsdale (HOU No. 26)
Stats: 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 SO
The 24-year-old righty is putting together one of the finer Fall League campaigns from the mound in a while. Hicks remains unscored upon over his three outings, after striking out six across four more scoreless innings in his latest effort. He's worked 11 innings without allowing a run while compiling 14 strikeouts in that span. Dating back to 2016, just 13 Fall League hurlers have gone unscored upon in at least 11 frames, and 11 of those were full-time relievers pitching in shorter stints, meaning Hicks is the third starter with such a streak.
Karson Milbrandt, RHP, Mesa (MIA No. 18)
Stats: 2 2/3 IP, H, ER, 2 BB, 7 SO
The 21-year-old stands second on the Fall League strikeout leaderboard after a dominant performance, registering punchouts for seven of the eight outs he recorded in his latest effort for the Solar Sox. Milbrandt hasn't been untouchable this fall -- he's allowed five runs in three outings. But he's also racked up 18 strikeouts in 9 1/3 innings, an elite rate of missing bats.
Darlin Saladin, RHP, Glendale (Cardinals)
Stats: 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 SO
Only four qualified Fall League pitchers remain unscored upon, and Saladin, the 22-year-old Cardinals product, is one of them. Saladin cruised in his latest outing, punching out six across three innings of scoreless long relief for Glendale. He struck out the side in his first full inning and then punched out Rockies prospect Charlie Condon as part of an eye-opening performance. All told, he's logged seven scoreless innings this fall, striking out 10 in that span.