News
Mariners trio tabbed AFL Rising Stars
Aumont, Fields, Ackley to play in Saturday's showcase
By Jim Street / MLB.com
11/02/09 10:07 PM EST
Right-handed relievers Phillippe Aumont and Josh Fields and outfielder Dustin Ackley will represent the Mariners in the Arizona Fall League's Rising Stars Game on Saturday night at Surprise Stadium.The game will be nationally televised for the first time by MLB Network and online via MLB.com. D-backs play-by-play voice Daron Sutton and former D-backs, Mets, Padres, Red Sox, Tigers, and Yankees first baseman Tony Clark will handle the broadcast duties.
All three Mariners players were first-round Draft selections the past three seasons and are playing in the AFL for the first time.
Scouting and Minor League directors of every Major League organization, in consultation with Fall League Director Steve Cobb and his baseball personnel staff, selected the players for the showcase. Each Major League organization is represented by at least one player.
"We are proud to showcase some of the top prospects in baseball to a national viewing audience for the first time in the Rising Stars Game on Saturday night," Cobb said.
Through Monday's game, Fields had a 0-0 record and 3.00 ERA through his first six appearances for the Peoria Javelinas. Aumont, meanwhile, had a 1-0 record in five outings, but a 15.00 ERA and Ackley, the second overall selection last June, was batting .313 after nine games and 32 at-bats.
Following Saturday's Rising Stars Game, the regular season resumes on Monday and continues through Nov. 19. The league championship game will be held two days later on Saturday, Nov. 21, at 11:35 p.m. PT at Scottsdale Stadium. It also will be televised by MLB Network and online via MLB.com.
Jim Street is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
