Arizona Fall League Daily: October 12
By Riley Thompson ·
Detroit Tigers outfielder Zyhir Hope put Scottsdale ahead with a two-run home run in the first inning, and a three-run seventh sealed a 6-2 win over the Desert Dogs in the only game completed Monday. Rain ended it after seven innings. The two postponements left just one game to evaluate, but it gave scouts plenty to consider: five prospects hit the ball at 105 mph or harder, and the Scorpions used five pitchers to get through seven innings.
Scottsdale Scorpions 6, Glendale Desert Dogs 2
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Charles Davalan got Glendale on the board first, driving a 102.3 mph fly ball to right-center off San Francisco Giants starter Miguel Mendez for a solo home run in the top of the first. Hope answered right away. Tampa Bay Rays catcher Nathan Flewelling had already lined a single at 111 mph, and Hope followed with a 101 mph drive to left that gave Scottsdale a 2-1 lead.
The game stayed close into the sixth, when Chase Harlan singled home Pittsburgh Pirates designated hitter Jhonny Severino, who had just doubled, to tie it 2-2. Scottsdale went back ahead in the bottom half. Brewers outfielder Braylon Payne grounded a 108.7 mph single through the left side to score Bryce Rainer and make it 3-2, a lead the Scorpions never gave up.
Pittsburgh Pirates reliever Cristhian Tortosa ran into trouble in the seventh. Rainer hit a 109.3 mph RBI double, and Flewelling followed with a two-run single that made it 6-2.
Hope's homer left the bat at 101 mph with a 38-degree launch angle, per Statcast. It came off Dodgers starter Brooks Auger, whose four-seam fastball averaged 95.4 mph. Mendez lasted 2.2 innings, walking two and striking out four, with six whiffs on 52 pitches and a fastball that touched 98.6. Tigers right-hander Preston Howey gave up the tying run in the sixth but got the win, and Astros reliever Jank Pichardo retired the side in order in the seventh for the save.
Scouting Notes
Nathan Flewelling, C (Tampa Bay Rays): Flewelling's 111 mph single in the first fits his projection as a bat-first catcher. He's hitting .458/.480/.500 through six AFL games, an early sign that his approach is holding up against older competition. His last 2026 assignment was High-A Bowling Green.
Bryce Rainer, SS (Detroit Tigers): Rainer's 109.3 mph double in the seventh was the second-hardest ball hit all night, behind only Flewelling's single. His last 2026 assignment was High-A West Michigan.
Miguel Mendez, RHP (San Francisco Giants): Mendez's four-seam fastball averaged 97.2 mph and touched 98.6 on Monday. He generated six whiffs in 2.2 innings but walked two. His last 2026 assignment was Double-A Richmond, after he started the year in the Padres organization at Double-A San Antonio.
Braylon Payne, OF (Milwaukee Brewers): Payne's 108.7 mph single put Scottsdale ahead for good. His last 2026 assignment was Double-A Biloxi.
Charles Davalan, OF (Los Angeles Dodgers): Davalan's 102.3 mph home run off Mendez came at a 28-degree launch angle. It was just his second hit in 18 AFL at-bats. He spent nearly all of 2026 at High-A Great Lakes before a one-game look at Double-A Tulsa in September.
Up Next
Three games are scheduled for Tuesday, October 13. At Camelback Ranch, the Salt River Rafters send Minnesota Twins lefty Ross Dunn against Glendale, with Miami Marlins righty Alex Williams starting for the hosts. At Scottsdale Stadium, San Diego Padres righty Winyer Chourio starts for Peoria against the Scorpions, who have won six of seven. At Surprise, Kansas City Royals lefty Justin Lamkin starts for the Saguaros against Mesa lefty Tucker Novotny of the Athletics. Monday's postponed Peoria-Surprise game will be made up Wednesday afternoon.