### Top Prospect Shines in Thrilling Fall League Finale

In the closing game of the 2024 Fall League, the highest-ranked prospect delivered a stellar performance. Drawing from his extensive experience starting with the Florida Gators nine months ago, MLB's leading first-base prospect displayed resilience and skill by securing three hits. He initiated the game with an infield single, followed it with a sharp center-field hit in the fifth inning off his former college teammate, D-backs prospect Phillip Abner, and rounded up with a powerful 105.2 mph knock in the seventh inning.

Despite his exceptional two-way prowess in college, Caglianone did not pitch during the Fall League. However, the Kansas City Royals plan to deploy him as both a hitter and a pitcher in 2025. During Saturday's game, he balanced his on-field duties by playing first base and participating in in-game interviews with MLB Network.

Reflecting on his dual-role ambitions, Caglianone mentioned to MLB Network's Jim Callis, "To me, it's always been what I've done, so I kind of know how to navigate it. Figuring out what my body can handle and what it can't is probably going to be the biggest thing, but I don't think it's anything I can't handle."

After clinching the 2023 Fall League Home Run Derby title, Caglianone overcame an injury-impacted season with Double-A Wichita to return victoriously to the Fall League. His contributions were pivotal, especially with an RBI double that secured Salt River's unassailable lead in the third inning.

"We walked in this morning knowing we were the team to beat," Rosario recounted. "We knew if we played our game, nobody could stop us."

Justice, the 2021 fifth-round pick, continued his impressive Fall League run by adding another no-hit inning to his record, which included 8 2/3 no-hit innings during the regular season. His strategic use of a newly incorporated sinker, especially in the final inning, played a crucial role in securing Salt River's first league championship since 2019.

Capping off the season, Gomez proved instrumental behind the plate, thwarting a basestealing attempt with a blistering 88.5 mph throw and a 1.41-second pop time. The Fall League's ABS (automated ball-strike) system was another area where Gomez excelled, earning multiple overturns for his team.

Adding to the excitement, Church's stint with the Rangers in September extended his impressive performances. Facing six batters, he retired them all, striking out three with a fastball clocking at 96-97 mph and a devastating upper-80s slider. He elicited nine swings-and-misses from his 23 pitches.

Meanwhile, Ritter's back-to-back multihit playoff games stood out. After a two-run homer in the Play-In Semifinal, he contributed significantly with hard-hit singles in both the fourth and sixth innings.

Acosta was responsible for both of Surprise's RBIs, starting the scoring with a blistering 106.6 mph single. His impressive speed, clocking in at 28.7 ft/sec, enabled him to beat an infield single in the fifth inning, adding another run to his tally.

Messinger, providing a vital spark from the bench in the Play-In Semifinal, was integrated into the starting lineup and made impressive contributions. As the only player to score multiple runs, he showcased his prowess by reaching base three times and hitting a powerful double to open the third inning.

The 2024 Fall League finale was undoubtedly a showcase of emerging talents, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting upcoming season.