Arizona Fall League Week 5 Wrap-Up

On Thursday the Desert Dogs took on the Mesa Solar Sox. Second baseman Corban Joseph was in the lead off spot for the Desert Dogs and went 1-2 and was caught stealing before being replaced with a defensive substitution in the bottom of the 4th inning. Pitcher Dan Burawa threw one inning and it was an ugly one. He allowed 5 ER on 5 hits and needed 30 pitches to retire the Solar Sox. Preston Claiborne fared better but still allowed 1 ER on 1 hit and 2 BB in his one full inning pitched. Claiborne threw 24 pitches, only 14 of which (58.3%) were strikes.

On Friday the Desert Dogs played an afternoon game against the Scottsdale Scorpions. Corban Joseph was back on the field but had a quiet day at the plate, going 0-4 with 2 strikeouts. Third baseman Ronnier Mustelier was in the cleanup spot for the Desert Dogs and went 2-5 with a pair of singles, raising his AFL average to .391. Chase Whitley was the only Yankees pitching prospect in action in Friday’s game, and he struggled a bit. Whitley pitched the top of the 9th inning and allowed 1 run (unearned) on 2 hits and a walk. He threw a total of 30 pitches, 18 of which were strikes.

The Arizona Fall League wrapped up the week with the Rising Stars game on Saturday. Unfortunately none of the seven Yankees prospects made the roster for this game. At least the Yankees youngsters will be well rested when the Desert Dogs kick off Week 6 against the Surprise Saguaros at 2:35 PM EST today.