The Arizona Fall League, which is entering it’s 27th season, started its newest season on Wednesday night with all six teams on the schedule with starting times at 6:30 PM MST.
All Arizona Fall League teams are made up of the Future Stars from their respective MLB clubs. Here is a list below of the which MLB teams are represented on the fall league club.
Glendale Desert Dogs
Chicago White Sox
Cincinnati Reds
Los Angeles Dodgers
Milwaukee Brewers
St. Louis Cardinals
Peoria Javelinas
Boston Red Sox
Houston Astros
Pittsburgh Pirates
San Diego Padres
Seattle Mariners
Scottsdale Scorpions
Atlanta Braves
New York Mets
Philadelphia Phillies
San Francisco Giants
Toronto Blue Jays
Mesa Solar Sox
Chicago Cubs
Cleveland Indians
Detroit Tigers
Los Angeles Angels
Oakland A’s
Salt River Rafters
Arizona Diamondbacks
Colorado Rockies
Miami Marlins
Minnesota Twins
Tampa Bay Rays
Surprise Saguaros
Baltimore Orioles
Kansas City Royals
New York Yankees
Texas Rangers
Washington Nationals
OPENING NIGHT
The Peoria Javelinas v. Salt River Rafters
The Mariners pitching prospect Penn Murfee got the the start for the Javelinas. The 6’2″, Nashville, TN native pitched in three levels in 2019 (A, AA, AAA), posting an overall 6-5 record, with a 3.57 ERA, and 136 strikeouts in 113.1 innings, spanning 20 starts in 32 games. The most action Murfee saw was in High A ball, where he recorded his 20 starts.
For the Salt River Rafters, Miami Marlins Top Pitching Prospect Nick Neidert took the mound after posting a 3-5 record, and a 4.67 ERA in 13 starts, with 46 strikeouts in 54 innings. Neidart was signed at 19 years old in the second round of the 2015 June MLB Amateur Draft by the Seattle Mariners and sent to the Marlins in December 7, 2017 in the trade that sent Dee Gordon for two prospects and Neidart.
As for the game, the Javelinas battled back from an early 5-0 deficit to score 10 runs and pull away to a 10-6 victory. Marcus Wilson went 3 for 4, with a double and three RBIs to lead Peoria. Jerar Encarnacion homered in the loss for the River Rafters.
Murfee earned the victory after tossing just two innings, while allowing five runs (one earned), six hits, a walk and two strikeouts. Neidart tossed 2.1 innings, allowing two runs on five hits, with three strikeouts.
Scottsdale Scorpions v. Mesa Solar Sox
The Scorpions sent Giants sent 23 year old Tristan Beck and to the mound to open up their season. The Corona, CA native and top pitching prospect was drafted out of the 4th round of the 2018 June MLB Amateur Draft by the Atlanta Braves. He was then sent to the Giants in a trade on July 31, 2019 that sent RHP Mark Melancon to the Braves. In 16 starts this past season, Beck was 5-4, with a 3.98 ERA, with 90 strikeouts in 81.1 innings.
On the other side of the diamond, the Solar Sox started the Tigers Top Pitching prospect Anthony Castro, who was signed as a non-drafted free agent in 2011. The 6’2″ righty, played the full past season in Double-A, appearing in 27 games (18 starts), while posting a 5-3 record, with a 4.40 ERA, striking out 116 batters, in 102.1 innings.
The Scorpions scored a run in the top of the ninth to squeeze out a 5-4 victory. Joey Bart was the star of the game for Scottsdale, hitting two home runs and while driving in three runs on a 2 for 4 night. Trey Harris added a home run of his own on a 2 for 4 night. For the Solar Sox, Miguel Amaya drove in three runs on a 2 for 3 night.
Scorpions Beck tossed two innings, allowing one run on three hits, two walks and two strikeouts. Castro pitched three innings allowing two runs, on two hits, and struck out five.
Surprise Saguaros v. Glendale Desert Dogs.
The Saguaros started Jordan Johnson, who was signed in the 23rd Round of the 2014 June MLB Draft, was traded to the Reds on March 21, 2019 from the Giants for Connor Joe. The 26 year old righty, posted an overall 0-7 record, with a 6.79 ERA in 15 starts. Most of his losses (six) were recorded with the Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts through nine starts.
The Desert Dogs sent Nationals Top Pitching Prospect Sterling Sharp to the hill after he posted a 5-4 record, through 12 starts, with a 3.53 ERA, 52 strikeouts in 58.2 innings pitched. The 24 year old Southfield, MI native was drafted by the Nats in the 22 round of the 2016 June MLB Draft.
The road victories continued as the Saguaros held on for a 4-2 victory. The offense put up 10 hits, led by Luis Garcia, who finished 4 for 5, with two runs scored, and a double, while Josh Towers hit his first home run of the fall season.
The Desert Dogs only managed three hits, two leaving the park by Jeren Kendall and Micker Adolfo.
Sharp earned the victory after tossing three shutout innings, not allowing a hit walking just one and striking out four.
Johnson took the loss, tossing three innings, allowing two runs on four hits, one walk and three strikeouts.
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