Sammy Siani hit a grand slam in a blowout victory by Scottsdale.
The Scorpions had a 6-1 lead in the bottom of the eighth inning when the Pittsburgh Pirates outfield prospect came to the plate with the bases loaded. Siani was 0-for-1 with two walks, along with being hit by a pitch. He launched his second homer of the AFL season, clearing the bases and putting Scottsdale up 10-1.
It’s been a good offseason for Siani, who is now hitting .408 with a 1.074 OPS in the AFL. He started his season in High-A Greensboro, before moving up to Double-A. After a slow start, Siani improved down the stretch, with better numbers in August and September at the higher level.
He’s continuing that success at the plate in this showcase league, which will set him up well for the 2025 season. The 2019 37th overall pick should return to Altoona, but could move to Indianapolis by mid-season with the hitting he’s shown over the last few months.
ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE
SCOTTSDALE won 10-1
- LF Sammy Siani: 1-for-2, HR, 2 BB, 4 RBI
- SS Kervin Pichardo: 3-for-4, 2B, BB, RBI
- RHP Valentin Linarez: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
Kervin Pichardo had a three-hit day, hitting his fourth double of the season. His first hit was a single to lead off the second inning. He singled in the fifth inning, putting Scottsdale up 3-1 at the time. His double set up another run in the seventh inning. Pichardo is hitting .282 with a .904 OPS in 46 plate appearances this offseason. Along with the four doubles, Pichardo has a triple and a home run.
Valentin Linarez pitched 1.2 perfect innings, picking up strikeouts in four of his five outs. Linarez entered the game in the seventh inning with two runners on and Scottsdale up 4-1. He got out of the inning with a strikeout and a fly out. After Scottsdale put up two in the bottom of the seventh, Linarez returned to strike out the side in the eighth inning.
FRIDAY’S SCHEDULE
- AFL: Scottsdale at Salt River (9:30 PM EST)
