Tigers prospect Briceño muscles up with 3-homer game in Fall League

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Jeff McNeil and Andrew Painter were the star attractions for Saturday's Arizona Fall League game between the Glendale Desert Dogs and Scottsdale Scorpions. Yet Josue Briceño stole the show.

Rehabbing a wrist injury in hopes of rejoining the Mets for the National League Championship Series, the two-time All-Star McNeil went 1-for-5. Baseball's best pitching prospect before blowing out his elbow and requiring Tommy John surgery, Phillies right-hander Painter made his first game appearance since Spring Training 2023 and hit 100 mph while allowing two runs in two innings.

Both were overshadowed by Briceño, who homered three times and drove in five runs in Scottsdale's 10-2 victory. The Tigers first baseman became the first AFL player with a three-homer game since Renato Núñez in 2015. The only others to go deep three or more times in a Fall League contest in the past 20 years are Brandon Wood (who hit four homers in 2005), Michael Johnson ('05), Michael McKenry ('08) and Tyler Flowers ('08).

Detroit's No. 9 prospect, Briceño homered off Painter in the second inning and also tagged Trent Baker (Cardinals) in the third and White Sox No. 27 prospect Peyton Pallette in the fifth. Not only was it the first time Briceño had hit three homers in a game, he had blasted just two long balls across 40 games at Single-A this season while missing three months with a sprained posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

"I've been working on my power in the gym," Briceño said through translator Analis Castro. "The recovery was hard but I feel good. I want to take what I did today and apply it going forward."

Signed for $800,000 out of Venezuela in 2022, the 6-foot-4, 200-pound Briceño possesses plus raw power. He's strong, makes consistent contact and has a left-handed swing designed to drive balls in the air. In 139 pro games between Rookie ball and Single-A, he slashed .283/.367/.439 with 13 homers.

📩 CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO BEN'S BIZ

Briceño has divided his time between catcher and first base in the lower Minors, and he'll be even more valuable if he can stay behind the plate. His throwing and receiving are very much works in progress, however.

Kelsie Heneghan contributed to this story.