2026 Arizona Fall League Preview: Surprise Saguaros

Surprise’s roster includes several high-round draft picks, most notably Frank Mozzicato.

Mozzicato was a first-round pick out of the Connecticut high school scene way back in 2021. Now 23 years of age, Mozzicato transitioned out of a primary starter role and into the bullpen. It might save his career, as he struck out 97 over 71 innings this past season. However, he walked 72.

He’ll be joined by former second-round pick Justin Lamkin. Lamkin struck out 53 over 39 innings this past year, one in which he made eight starts.

Calvin Ziegler was a second-round pick way back in 2021. The Mets prospect barely pitched in his pro career; the Canadian only tossed 67 innings in his pro career. This past year, he walked 24 in 13 innings. But thanks to a power curveball, slider, and mid-90s fastball, there is still some intrigue there.

Mason McConnaughey missed most of the last two seasons. The former Nebraska pitcher did fine when on the mound this season, with 16 strikeouts over 20 innings.

Strikeout machine Jesus Gamez, Aiden Major, and hard-throwing reliever Ryan Lambert are among the other notable pitchers.

Catchers

Quietly, the Troy Trojans have been a success story in college baseball, even before 2026.

Brooks Bryan was an eighth-round pick by the Royals in 2025. Bryan slashed .319/.406/.496 in 33 games with Low-A Columbia.

Kehden Hettiger and Julian Brock have not had much offensive success in their pro careers to this point.

Infielders

Two late additions make the Surprise infield core a must-watch group.

One was Aidan Miller, the former Phillies’ first-rounder who played just four games this season thanks to injury. The other is Sebastian Walcott, who missed most of 2026 thanks to elbow surgery. But he came back late in the year and was simply amazing. He hit 10 home runs in 41 games, showcasing the upside that was there for much of his pro career to this point.

Aside from those two, there are other big names. Aroon Escobar is one of the best prospects in the Philadelphia system. Welbyn Francisca had a breakout year in High-A with 19 home runs in 79 games. Some pull-side tendencies there, which are tantalizing from a power perspective.

Boston Baro, Cole Mathis, and Bruin Agbayani are all notable infielders in the Mets’ system. New York acquired Agbayani and Mathis in midseason trades this year.

Outfielders

Two former first-rounders are among the outfield core.

One is Dante Nori, who started 2026 on a high with Team Italy in the 2026 WBC. However, he missed two months of the year on the IL. Lots of contact and speed with Nori. It’s more of a matter of whether he can get to that power to be a complete Major League outfielder.

Zion Rose got to his power with the ACC’s Louisville Cardinals this season. The Royals‘ top pick from 2026, Rose is a fantastic athlete with premium speed and baserunning ability. But he also missed a good amount of time in college this year.

Paxton Kling was once a top high school prospect and a budding youngster with LSU many moons ago. He needed to go to Penn State to find some consistency before the Rangers drafted him in 2025.