Scottsdale Standout Named Gatorade Arizona Baseball Player Of The Year

SCOTTSDALE — Alain Gomez-Gudiño had quite a senior season. Now he has the hardware to prove it.

The Saguaro High School catcher has been named the 2025-26 Gatorade Arizona Baseball Player of the Year, one of the most prestigious honors in high school athletics.

The award, now in its 41st year, recognizes athletic achievement, academics and community involvement.

One opposing coach summed it up simply: "He definitely changes the game," said Jeff Fierro, head coach at Arcadia High School. "Behind the plate, he completely shuts down the run game, and deciding how to approach him at the plate is a nightmare."

The 6-foot, 215-pound senior backstopped the Sabercats to a 25-8 record and a 4A state championship, earning MVP honors in the title game and the Arizona Baseball Coaches Association's 4A Player of the Year award.

At the plate he hit .455 with six home runs, 35 RBI and a 1.332 OPS. Behind it, he threw out 33.3 percent of attempted base-stealers, according to officials.

Off the field, Gomez-Gudiño has volunteered with the Scottsdale Miracle League, which provides baseball opportunities for children, teens and adults with disabilities or special healthcare needs. He carries a 3.47 GPA and has signed to play at the University of South Carolina.

Nationally, he is ranked the No. 46 overall prospect in the Class of 2026 by Perfect Game and the No. 224 overall draft prospect by Baseball America. He joins a notable list of past Gatorade honorees that includes Clayton Kershaw, MacKenzie Gore and Seth Hernandez.

As state winner, Gomez-Gudiño also receives a grant to donate to a social impact organization of his choice. The Gatorade Player of the Year program has distributed more than $6.4 million in grants across more than 2,200 organizations since its founding.