Guardians' Francisca, Nats' Susana pick up Week 1 Arizona Fall League honors

Welbyn Francisca swung a scorching bat while Jarlin Susana brought some serious heat to the mound in Week 1 of the Arizona Fall League season. The prospects were named the league's Hitter and Pitcher of the Week respectively to kick off the 2026 campaign.

Hitter of the Week: Welbyn Francisca, SS/2B, Surprise (CLE)

Francisca hit the ground running in the desert for the Surprise Saguaros. The Guardians’ No. 19 prospect got things going in eye-popping fashion with a five-hit performance in his first game. That set the tone for a dominant offensive week, which ended with Francisca pacing the circuit in average (.556), slugging (.944) and OPS (1.563) after driving in seven runs in four games.

The 20-year-old's showing has been a continuation of a breakout year for Francisca, who reached Double-A before the end of the regular season. He ascended three levels in 2026, finishing with an .879 OPS and 19 roundtrippers in 79 games.

Francisca spent most of the year at High-A Lake County, slugging 13 homers and slashing .277/.356/.538 with 31 extra-base hits and 49 RBIs in 65 contests before wrapping up at Double-A Akron as one of the youngest players in the Eastern League.

Pitcher of the Week: Jarlin Susana, RHP, Salt River (WSH)

Staying on the mound has been the only thing that has held Susana back, but when he’s healthy and pitching, the results have been undeniable. The Nationals’ No. 4 prospect fanned eight while allowing just one earned run over 5 2/3 innings spanning two starts for the Salt River Rafters.

Susana served notice right away, unleashing a 103.4 mph fastball in his first start, only to top that by adding a few more ticks and registering one at 103.8 mph. Susana’s fastball has been an imposing weapon, but his slider has made the combination even more difficult for hitters. That particular offering has routinely registered between 2,900 and 3,000 rpm, giving the right-hander a devastating complement to his elite velocity.

Susana was limited to eight starts during the regular season, ending with a one-start cameo for Triple-A Rochester. MLB’s No. 66 prospect fanned 37 while walking 11 in 20 1/3 innings.