Rafters surprise Saguaros for first Arizona Fall League crown since 2019

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – As the Salt River Rafters posed with their Arizona Fall League champions banner, they held their pinky fingers and thumbs pointed out in the form of “the shaka” or hang-ten as they cheered.

“Kala’i Rosario is from Hawaii, he's been one of our team leaders here,” Rafters manager Tyler Smarslok said. “It's his second time in the AFL, so we put up the shaka for our guy.”

The Twins’ No. 19 prospect drove in the go-ahead run as Salt River edged Surprise, 3-2, in the AFL Championship Game on Saturday at Salt River Fields, securing the title for D-backs, Nationals, Rockies and Yankees prospects as well.

Rosario had a solid 2023 AFL campaign, winning the Home Run Derby, but after an elbow injury sidelined him for more than two months this summer, the 2020 fifth-rounder returned to the fall circuit. This go-around, Rosario tallied more base hits -- logging a knock in 18 of 22 games -- and fewer strikeouts.

“He's always a competitor. He comes prepared every day,” said Smarslok, who is also a coach in the Twins farm system. “He's always working hard. He's always consistent. It's the same guy every day and that's what you appreciate about him. He's gonna have a special career.”

Also returning to the Fall League this year for his third go-around was Robert Hassell III. Rosario said the Arizona circuit can be tough for some players, but having leaders like Hassell helps the energy of the team.

“Hass coming back for his third year, it's actually great because he's good for the rest of the guys in the clubhouse that haven't done the AFL before,” Smarslok said. “He can speak on experiences. He's been one of the leaders as well. He's done an incredible job. He's an incredible person. He's gonna be an incredible player in the big leagues too.”

While the hype around Hassell’s prospect profile has dimmed some since the Nationals selected him with the eighth overall pick in the 2020 Draft, the club’s No. 13 prospect remains confident in himself. Hassell tapped into some power this fall, notching a .281/.360/.517/.877 slash line as one of the Rafters’ best hitters. In Saturday’s contest, the center fielder tripled and scored the game-tying run.

“Ever since the first day, I just felt good out here,” Hassell said. “The vibes were good, my body was good and I just kept waking up every day with that same attitude. I ended up playing well, and you know, we won it all.”

For most of the Fall League, Surprise had been the team to beat. Led by MLB’s No. 17 prospect Jac Caglianone (Royals) and No. 41 Chase DeLauter (Guardians), the Saguaros utilized consistent bats, solid pitching and a fun doubles celebration to capture the No. 1 seed in the playoffs.

But even with the hype in the other dugout, the Rafters -- whose ballpark was the pre-determined location of the title game -- were feeling confident.

“I would say when we walked in this morning, [we knew we were going to win],” Rosario said. “I mean, we were excited to be here, and we knew we were the team to beat, and we knew if we came out here and played, nobody could stop us.”

After the celebration, Smarslok received his first sports drink shower, but was quick to divert praise to his coaching staff: hitting coach Nic Wilson (Rockies), defensive coach Derek Woodley (Yankees) and pitching coaches Franklin Bravo (Nationals) and Gabriel Hernandez (D-backs).

Smarslok is proud of the way players showed up each day for each other and the love in the clubhouse that turned into the championship. It’s Salt River’s fourth title in franchise history, though the assigned farm systems change each year.

“Just enjoy each day. I mean, honestly that's the meeting that we had in the beginning,” Smarslok said. “It was no goals or championships or anything like that. If we enjoy each day, enjoy each other, enjoy the process of learning some new stuff, we just think that if that's the way that we're going to approach the day, wins will just take care of themselves.

“And clearly it did.”