Arizona Fall League Daily: October 11
By Riley Thompson ·
Guardians shortstop Welbyn Francisca was the story of Sunday night in Surprise, driving in three runs and scoring the winning run in a 5-4 walk-off. Francisca went 3-for-5 with two doubles, drove in Surprise's first run with a groundout in the fifth, then ripped a two-run double in the seventh to cut a three-run deficit to one. He scored the winning run in the ninth on a missed catch error by first baseman Chase Harlan.
Surprise Saguaros 5, Glendale Desert Dogs 4
Glendale got the scoring started in the fourth when Marlins outfielder Dillon Lewis put a line drive into left-center off Alejandro Chiquillo for a solo home run, 103.4 mph off the bat and 409 feet per Statcast, then Dodgers first baseman Chase Harlan followed two batters later with a fly ball to center, 101 mph and 404 feet, to make it 2-0. Chiquillo then coughed up an RBI single to Isaiah Drake in the sixth, and Lewis singled home another run in the seventh to put Glendale up 4-1. Surprise responded in the seventh when Francisca's two-run double off Logan Samuels made it 4-3, and Mets first baseman Cole Mathis tied it with a solo shot off Tanner Bauman leading off the eighth, 99.6 mph and 395 feet. In the ninth, Francisca doubled with two outs and scored when Harlan could not handle Wyatt Sanford's throw on an Austin Charles grounder, sending the Saguaros home winners. Cam Schuelke, working the ninth for Surprise, earned the win; Bauman took the loss after allowing Mathis's tying homer in the eighth.
Francisca's evening was the best individual performance in the game. The switch-hitter also hit a 107.9-mph groundout in the third, the hardest-hit ball of the game. Lewis was Glendale's most productive bat, going 3-for-5 with the homer and two RBI, and Harlan drew two walks to go with his shot, though his missed catch in the ninth decided the outcome against his club. Chiquillo's three-inning relief effort generated eight whiffs on 49 pitches but allowed both Glendale home runs and three earned runs, a tough night for a pitcher who had thrown three hitless, walkless innings in his AFL debut.
Scouting Notes
Paxton Kling, OF (Texas Rangers): Kling drew three walks and stole two bases without a hit, reaching base and creating pressure on the bases. He stole 40 bases in 2026, 38 of them at High-A Hub City before a September move to Double-A Frisco, and the AFL assignment is a chance to test the profile against a broader range of arms heading into 2027.
Tanner Bauman, P (Atlanta Braves): Bauman's fastball-slider combination can miss bats, but control has been the persistent obstacle. He walked one and surrendered the Mathis homer in 1.2 innings Sunday, running his AFL ERA to 9.00 across three outings. The pattern of falling behind hitters showed up again here.
Wyatt Sanford, SS (Pittsburgh Pirates): Sanford went 1-for-5 in a losing effort but has posted a .391 on-base percentage across five AFL games, supported by a patient approach that fits his profile. His 80Grade hit tool is a 45 and power a 50; he spent most of 2026 at High-A Greensboro, and the AFL is a chance to test his offense against more advanced pitching.
Angeibel Gomez, OF (Kansas City Royals): Gomez went 1-for-3 with a hit-by-pitch and scored a run. He carries 55 grades for hit, power, and speed, ranks No. 115 on 80Grade's consolidated list, and at 17 is one of the youngest players in the AFL. Sunday's line was modest, but holding his own is significant for a player who spent his summer in the Dominican Summer League.
Up Next
Monday brings three games. Glendale visits Scottsdale, where Brooks Auger (Dodgers) starts for the Desert Dogs against Miguel Mendez (Giants) for the league-leading Scorpions, who are 5-1. Peoria travels to Surprise, with Luke Holman (Reds) opposed by Steven Zobac (Royals). Salt River sends Sean Sullivan (Rockies) to Mesa to face Jake Bloss (Blue Jays) at Sloan Park.