Here are the top performers from Week 5 of AFL action

Just in time for Fall Star Weekend, several players made their mark in Arizona Fall League action this week. Leaders across the stat sheets are cementing their productive falls and earning real attention around the sport. 

Welbyn Francisco (CLE No. 19) is a frequent customer in this discussion after another strong week. He leads the AFL in batting average (.419), OPS (1.198), hits (31) and RBIs (28). On the mound, Briggs McKenzie – the AFL leader in innings (20 2/3 IP) – took strides forward in his latest outing. With a week left to go, who will make one final push to stand out? 

Here are the seven players who stole the show this week out in the desert.

Antonio Anderson, INF, Mesa (BOS)
Stats: 5-for-11, 4 R, 3 2B, 3 RBI, 6 BB, 5 K

Anderson slashed .455/.647/.727 on the week with more walks than strikeouts (six to five). The hot fall comes after Boston’s 2023 third-round pick had a solid offensive campaign with nine homers and a .826 OPS for High-A Greenville. Anderson packed some power in his suitcase to Arizona this fall with three homers in 15 games for Mesa. He ranks fourth in the AFL in RBIs (20) and is one of nine players with an OPS over 1.000 in game action.

Zion Rose, OF, Surprise (KC No. 6)
Stats: 6-for-14, 6 R, 1 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 5 BB, 3 K, 6 SB

Rose had more RBIs than any other player this week and boosted his slugging percentage with half of his hits going for extra-bases – and one of each extra-base hit at that! The 21-year-old flashed his speed with six stolen bases in four games. In the desert, Rose continues to find his way on-base with the sixth-best OBP (.494) with an equal number of walks and strikeouts.

Dante Nori, OF, Surprise (PHI No. 7)
Stats: 7-for-15, 6 R, 2 2B, 5 RBI, 3 BB, 4 K, 3 SB

Nori’s stock should start to gain attention during his productive trip out west this autumn. The outfielder had an efficient week as a run-producer in a busy Surprise lineup that features deep representation in this group of strong performers. Nori and Phillies teammate Aidan Miller (PHI No. 2/MLB No. 59, leads AFL in walks) are making noise in the homestretch of AFL action.

Welbyn Francisca, INF, Surprise (CLE No. 19)
Stats: 7-for-19, 6 R, 1 3B, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 3 BB, 4 K, 2 SB

The Week 1 Player of the Week has not slowed down all fall season in great representation for the Guardians’ organization. Francisca only trailed Rose in RBI on the week and went deep for the fourth time in 16 Fall League games. He’s been arguably the best offensive player in the desert and finds his name at the top of several leaderboards.

Jake Munroe, 3B, Mesa (LAA No. 20)
Stats: 5-for-13, 4 R, 1 2B, 4 RBI, 3 BB, 4 K, 1 SB

Munroe is taking advantage of his Fall League stint and should earn some more recognition in the Angels’ system as a result. The 23-year-old sports a .903 OPS for the fall and also holds more walks than strikeouts, continuing a strong run of on-base ability dating back to the regular season (.402 OBP in 2026).

Alex Williams, RHP, Glendale (MIA)
Stats: 4.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 10 K

Williams absolutely carved in his start on Wednesday against Surprise. He racked up double-digit strikeouts and allowed just one hit. For context, Williams had just one start with 10 strikeouts in 2026 that came back on April 22 for Double-A Pensacola. In 14 innings for Glendale, Williams sports an 11.6 K/9.

Briggs McKenzie, LHP, Glendale (ATL No. 8)
Stats: 4.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K

Like Williams, McKenzie also tallied four scoreless innings as he continues with a busy workload for Glendale. Still holding a 6.53 ERA for the fall, the Braves prospect showed improvement in his latest start on Wednesday. The 19-year-old posted a 2.08 ERA in seven starts in his introduction to pro ball in 2026.