OTTAWA – Almost halfway through the 2009 Arizona Fall League season, let us see how all six Canadians are doing so far in the top prospects league.
Rene Tosoni (Coquitlam, BC) is leading the way for the offensive players with a .265 average (9-for-34) in eight games. He has one home run with five RBI and two triples for the Mesa Solar Sox.
This has been a long season for Tosoni, who had played in a career high 122 games for Double-A New Britain this season and played an additional 14 games to help Canada capture a bronze medal at the 38th Baseball World Cup in Europe. But he has not let the wear and tear slow him down.
“I’m still enjoying playing right now,” says Tosoni. “It’s been a long season and I’m starting to feel it throughout my body because everything hurts right now, but I’m still having fun.”
It is understandable why he continues to enjoy this season as this was a breakout year for the 23-year-old Minnesota Twins prospect. He had career highs in most offensive categories in 2009 including games played, hits (115), home runs (15), RBI (71), doubles (25), triples (4-tied career high) and runs scored (64). His stint in the Fall League will only help continue his climb through the Minor League ranks.
“The exposure you get is unbelievable,” says the young outfielder. “I’m getting more at-bats which is good and all the scouts here watching the teams play gives you that extra exposure.”
Other Canadians offensively, Nick Weglarz (Stevensville, ON) is hitting .240 with one RBI and a double in eight games for the Peoria Saguaros. Taylor Green (Courtenay, BC) is hitting .192 (5-for-26) in eight games for the Peoria Javelinas and Adam Loewen (Surrey, BC) has one home run, six RBI and a double with a .156 average through nine games with the Phoenix Desert Dogs.
On the mound, Scott Mathieson (Vancouver, BC) has been dominant in his 6-2/3 innings of work with the Scottsdale Scorpions. In five games, he has a zero ERA and has only allowed three hits and has struck out eight.
Phillippe Aumont (Gatineau, QC) is the other Canadian hurler in Arizona. In four games with the Peoria Javelinas, he has an 11.57 ERA which is inflated due to one bad outing. He has allowed six earned runs in 4-2/3 innings with four strikeouts and was perfect in his last outing on October 27th.
To follow the Canadians in the Arizona Fall League, click on the following link: http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/winterleagues/league.jsp?league=afl
