Tonight, the 2025 Triple-A Championship comes to a head as the Las Vegas Aviators host the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp at Las Vegas Ballpark. Both teams are riding high after impressive postseason performances and will now clash for the title in what’s expected to be a high-scoring affair.
The Jumbo Shrimp are looking to cap off a remarkable run with their first Triple-A title since rejoining the level in 2021.
Tonight, the 2025 Triple-A Championship comes to a head as the Las Vegas Aviators host the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp at Las Vegas Ballpark. Both teams are riding high after impressive postseason performances and will now clash for the title in what’s expected to be a high-scoring affair.
The Jumbo Shrimp are looking to cap off a remarkable run with their first Triple-A title since rejoining the level in 2021. Their last league championship came in 2014, when they were still a Double-A team in the Southern League. Jacksonville advanced to this final by defeating the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders 2–1 in the International League Championship Series, bouncing back after dropping Game 1.
The Aviators, meanwhile, arrive with momentum and home-field advantage. They swept the Tacoma Rainiers 2–0 in the Pacific Coast League championship, clinching their first PCL title since 1988. Now, they aim to bring the Triple-A crown home in front of their fans at hitter-friendly Las Vegas Ballpark.
Top Prospects to Watch – Both clubs are loaded with talent and represent two of the strongest farm systems in baseball.
For Jacksonville, catcher Joe Mack is a standout. Ranked No. 71 overall by MLB Pipeline, Mack is considered one of the best defensive catchers in the minors and a likely candidate to debut with the Marlins in 2026. He hit .250/.320/.459 with 18 home runs this season, solidifying his role as a leader on the field.
Another name to know is Kemp Alderman, recently named the Marlins’ Minor League Player of the Year. After a strong season split between Double-A and Triple-A, Alderman tore through opposing pitching in Jacksonville, hitting .303/.341/.671 with seven home runs in just 20 games. His home run in Game 2 of the ILCS helped Jacksonville tie it up.
On the Vegas side, center fielder Denzel Clarke brings elite defense to the table. Known for his highlight-reel catches, Clarke has earned a reputation as one of the best defensive outfielders in baseball. While his bat has lagged behind at the MLB level, his glove will have him as one of the elite defenders in CF for a long time.
Another top Aviators player is catcher Daniel Susac, the Athletics’ No. 11 prospect. In his first full Triple-A season, Susac hit .275/.349/.483 with 18 home runs, showcasing a balanced mix of power and on-base skills. With MLB bloodlines—his brother Andrew was a big-league catcher, and his cousin Anthony is a pitching prospect—Daniel is on the radar for a 2026 call-up.
Pitching Matchup – The championship game will feature lefty Ken Waldichuk on the mound for Las Vegas and righty Morgan McSweeney for Jacksonville.
Waldichuk, who pitched for the A’s in 2023, had a 8.65 ERA in Triple-A this season. He posted 68 strikeouts in 54 innings.
McSweeney, has been solid for the Jumbo Shrimp this year, with a 2.21 ERA and 42 strikeouts over 61 innings.
What to Expect
Las Vegas Ballpark is notoriously friendly to hitters, so expect offensive fireworks in this winner-take-all showdown. With several future MLB stars taking the field, fans can expect both high-stakes drama and a glimpse into the future of big-league baseball.
First pitch is set for 10:05 p.m. EDT tonight, and the game will be broadcast on MLB Network and MiLB.TV.
