WSSARIZONA

Saguaro catcher Alain Gomez-Gudiño has been named the 2026 Arizona Baseball Gatorade Player of the Year, adding another prestigious accolade to a standout high school career.

The award, presented annually to the state’s top baseball player, recognizes athletic excellence, academic achievement, and exemplary character both on and off the field. Gomez-Gudiño becomes the latest Arizona standout to join a list of previous winners that includes some of the state’s most accomplished athletes.

The Sabercats backstop put together one of the most complete seasons in Arizona baseball this spring, serving as the cornerstone of a Saguaro team that made another deep postseason run.

At the plate, Gomez-Gudiño hit .455 across 99 at-bats while collecting six home runs and 35 RBIs. He added nine doubles, posted a .554 on-base percentage, and finished the season with a 1.332 OPS, consistently producing in key situations throughout the year.

His impact extended well beyond the batter’s box.

Behind the plate, Gomez-Gudiño was one of Arizona’s premier defensive catchers, finishing the season with a .979 fielding percentage while recording 165 putouts. His ability to manage games, control opposing running attacks, and provide leadership from one of baseball’s most demanding positions helped anchor the Sabercats throughout the season.

The honor caps off another impressive year for Saguaro baseball, a program that continues to produce elite talent and compete among Arizona’s best.

For Gomez-Gudiño, the recognition places him among the top players in the state regardless of classification and serves as a fitting reward for a season defined by consistency, production, and leadership.

While individual awards are never the ultimate goal, being named Arizona’s Gatorade Player of the Year represents one of the highest achievements available to a high school athlete. For Gomez-Gudiño, it confirms what opponents across the state already knew throughout the 2026 season, that he was one of Arizona baseball’s most impactful players every time he stepped onto the field.