Arizona Fall League Daily: October 10
By Riley Thompson ·
Tampa Bay designated hitter Nathan Flewelling went 2-for-4 with three RBI as the Scottsdale Scorpions pulled away late in a 10-2 win over the Salt River Rafters, the most decisive result on a two-game Saturday that was day eight of the 2026 AFL season. Flewelling's two singles drove in three runs across the fifth and sixth innings, and Scottsdale's five-run sixth put the game out of reach. Nationals right-hander Jarlin Susana, the day's most closely watched arm, was charged with the loss after lasting only 2.1 innings against a lineup that found ways to score without him making many obvious mistakes.
Mesa Solar Sox 7, Peoria Javelinas 3
Mesa grabbed the lead for good in the first inning and never relinquished it. After Peoria scored on Boston Smith's sacrifice double play, Jake Munroe tied it with a sharp line-drive double, Ryland Zaborowski followed with a go-ahead single, and Toronto outfielder Jake Casey capped the frame with a two-run homer to left center off Padres starter Kannon Kemp, making it 4-1. Casey's shot was his first AFL home run. Kemp allowed four runs on four hits in three innings; his fastball command was inconsistent. Chicago Cubs starter Dominick Reid held Peoria to one run in four innings to earn the win. His carrying pitch is a plus changeup graded at 60, and his four-inning outing was efficient at 52 pitches. Antonio Anderson added a solo homer in the sixth to close out the scoring for Mesa. Peoria got a line-drive RBI double from Yerlin Confidan in the sixth, but the Javelinas never seriously threatened after the first.
Scottsdale Scorpions 10, Salt River Rafters 2
Scottsdale scored first on a passed ball in the top of the first inning, taking the lead for good, and Salt River never got even. Nationals right-hander Jarlin Susana, ranked No. 172 on 80Grade's list, lasted 2.1 innings and was charged with three runs, one earned, on 40 pitches. He struck out four batters. His 40-grade command grade has been the main barrier between his premium stuff and a reliable rotation role, and nothing in 2.1 AFL innings changes that read. Flewelling's two singles drove home three runs in the fifth and sixth, and Hope singled home two more in a five-run sixth inning off New York Yankees reliever Antonio Gomez. Scottsdale's Brendan Summerhill reached base four times on two hits, a walk, and a hit-by-pitch, and stole two bases, consistent with the 60-grade speed and 60-grade hit tool that underpin his profile as an everyday center fielder. Milwaukee Brewers starter Peyton Niksch handled the first two innings without allowing a hit, throwing 18 pitches in a short outing. Scottsdale, now 5-1, holds the AFL's best record through eight days of games.
Scouting Notes
Nathan Flewelling, DH (Tampa Bay Rays): Flewelling is 2-for-4 with three RBI on the day and batting .429 across five AFL games, with zero walks in 21 plate appearances. His 55-grade power gives him enough raw damage to drive in runs when pitches are in the zone.
Jake Casey, OF (Toronto Blue Jays): Casey's first-inning homer came one play after Mesa had taken the lead for good. His 63.5 percent contact rate is a strikeout concern heading into the next level.
Jake Munroe, 3B (Los Angeles Angels): Munroe went 2-for-4 with two doubles Saturday and is hitting .400/.500/.733 across four AFL games. His last 2026 assignment was Double-A Rocket City.
Demetrio Crisantes, 2B (Arizona Diamondbacks): Crisantes went 0-for-3 and contributed an error that allowed a Scottsdale run to score in the third.
Zyhir Hope, OF (Detroit Tigers): Hope drove in two runs with a sixth-inning single, but also struck out twice. The 60-grade raw power is the carrying tool; the contact rate is the variable that determines whether it fully plays.
Up Next
Sunday's schedule features one game: the Glendale Desert Dogs visit the Surprise Saguaros at Surprise Stadium. Dodgers left-hander Luke Fox starts for Glendale, and Rangers right-hander Jacob Johnson, ranked No. 1109 on 80Grade's list, takes the ball for Surprise. Glendale enters at 1-5 and is the AFL's only team with five losses.