Starling's two blasts key Saguaros' rout

Bubba Starling has been excitedly watching the Royals in their push to return to the World Series. That doesn't mean he isn't finding time to do his organization proud in Arizona.

Kansas City's fifth-ranked prospect swatted two homers, singled and scored three times on Friday afternoon as Surprise cruised to a 20-6 Fall League romp over Mesa at Sloan Park.

"It felt pretty good," Starling said. "For me, it was just another day out here. I came out and got my work in and the whole team was swinging the bats well today. It was fun to be a part of."

The 23-year-old outfielder led off the second inning with a blast left off Angels right-hander Ryan Etsell, then slugged another solo shot in the third to give the Saguaros a 5-2 lead. The 2011 first-round pick tacked on a two-out single in the eighth as he and his teammates totaled 22 hits.

After an 0-for-4 performance in the opening game of the young Arizona Fall League season, Starling has begun to find his footing with six hits in nine at-bats in his last two games.

"I've felt pretty good," he said. "Even that 0-for-4 game, I felt like I was swinging the bat pretty well and getting good at-bats. I'm feeling good at the plate and looking forward to continuing to put my work in."

Starling is in his second go-round in the AFL after a season in which he hit .254/.318/.426 in 331 at-bats with Double-A Northwest Arkansas and recorded the first cycle in team history. The Kansas native said he's looking forward to using his time with Surprise to become a more complete player.

"You can't be complacent in this game, you have to always keep working," Starling said. "Obviously, I want to work on my offensive [game] and keep getting better in that area, but everything can always get better. I'm always looking to improve."

In the meantime, Starling will have playoff baseball to occupy his down time.

"Seeing the Royals in the playoffs, it not only makes me excited but all the other guys [from the organization]," he said. "We were watching the series against Houston on TV and now we're looking forward to watching this series with the Blue Jays, hoping they can keep it rolling."

Cardinals No. 12 prospect Patrick Wisdom doubled twice, tripled and drove in four runs for the Saguaros. Yadiel Rivera, the Brewers' 18th-ranked prospect also had four RBIs and fell a homer shy of the cycle.

For the Solar Sox, Cubs No. 19 prospect Jeimer Candelario went 5-for-5 with a pair of homers, three doubles and four RBIs. The 21-year-old third baseman is 8-for-10 with six extra-base hits in his first three AFL games, while Willson Contreras -- Chicago's 10th-ranked prospect -- also went deep.

In other Arizona Fall League action:

Scottsdale at Glendale, postponed

Peoria at Salt River, canceled