Two of the most celebrated recent Arizona Wildcats baseball alumni, outfielders Brendan Summerhill and shortstop Mason White, were back in Tucson on Saturday for an Arizona Fall League (AFL) doubleheader at Kino Stadium. The AFL, a month‑long showcase for top minor‑league prospects, gave the hometown fans a chance to see the former Wildcats compete alongside other rising stars.
Summerhill’s strong showing for the Scottsdale Scorpions
Summerhill, a supplemental first‑round pick of the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2025 draft, played center field and led off for the Scottsdale Scorpions in the second game of the doubleheader. He reached base all four plate appearances, collecting a single, a double, a walk and a hit‑by‑pitch, and scored four runs while stealing two bases in the Scorpions’ 10‑2 victory over the Salt River Rafters. “Just being back here is so fun,” Summerhill said. “Tucson’s got something in the air.” He added that the Rays organization’s coaching helped him grow as a player.
White’s quiet night for the Mesa Solar Sox
White, selected in the fourth round of the 2025 draft by the Boston Red Sox, took the field at shortstop for the Mesa Solar Sox and batted fourth. He went 0‑for‑4 in the Solar Sox’s 7‑3 win over the Peoria Javelinas. “It was really cool to play here,” White remarked. “I never really thought about it until they announced the games here.” Despite a quiet night at the plate, White’s season‑long performance—.251 average with 18 home runs, 55 RBIs in 101 games—earned him a promotion to Double‑A Portland before the AFL began.
Path from college to professional ranks
Both Summerhill and White completed their first full professional seasons after helping Arizona return to the College World Series in 2025. Summerhill advanced to High‑A Bowling Green, while White finished the year at Double‑A Portland. Their progress reflects the AFL’s role as a springboard; former UA catcher Daniel Susac, who played for Mesa in 2024, made his major‑league debut with the San Francisco Giants this past season.
Local ties and community connections
The doubleheader featured several players with Southern Arizona roots, including a former Salpointe Catholic high‑school teammate of White’s and a one‑time UA signee from Nogales who chose professional ball over college. Between games, Summerhill caught former Arizona head coach Chip Hale’s ceremonial first pitch, underscoring the continued bond between the Wildcats alumni and the local baseball community.
Looking ahead
Both players expressed optimism about the upcoming spring training. White said, “I hit a lot of the goals that I set for myself, and hopefully to continue that into Spring Training and then next year.” Summerhill echoed the sentiment, noting the Rays’ focus on letting players excel at their strengths. Fans in Tucson can look forward to seeing these young prospects continue to develop as they aim for major‑league opportunities.
Original reporting: Arizona Desert Swarm (Tucson Sports) — read the source article.
