John Raynor of the Florida Marlins had an excellent game against the Scottsdale Scorpions going 3-for-3 at the bat. The Scorpions, who looked like they might pull out a second victory for the season, fell to the Solar Sox by a score of 6-5. Chicago Cubs’ prospect Nate Spears hit a triple to bat in the first run for the Mesa Solar Sox, who scored two in the third inning of play. The Sox managed to keep the remainder of the game scoreless while they performed descent at the bat in the bottom of the fifth inning. Multiple pitching mistakes are what ended up plaguing the Scorpions, including a walk to load the bases and allowing a run to score on a wild pitch. More rocky roads for Scottsdale as they drop another game to the Solar Sox.

For Phoenix, the game was just as challenging. The young team of stars trailed through eight innings of play before taking the lead to win the game. Although the Dogs had two RBI doubles in the top of the seventh, it was not enough to take the lead from the Javelinas. It was not until the top of the ninth inning with a home run by Ryan Patterson (Toronto Blue Jays) and a double by Chris Nelson (Colorado Rockies) scored multiple runs to give the Phoenix Desert Dogs the victory.

The Peoria Saguaros lose hold of their winning ways as they are downed by the rafters in, what hoped to be, an encore of yesterday afternoon’s performance. The Saguaros, who have been playing solid baseball throughout the Arizona Fall League prove they can, indeed, be beat as they lose in Surprise by a score of 6-8.

Greg Halman of the Peoria Javelinas is just as dedicated as any of the other prospects performing in the AFL. What sets him apart is not his dedication and devotion to the game. Performances by all players can tell that story but, with Halman there’s more. Greg, like the majority of the participants, played phenomenally in the Minors to help him get an invitation to the AFL. Greg is a native of the Netherlands who was invited to play in the Olympic games this summer in Beijing. Rather than accepting the offer, he embraced the American Pastime and practiced hard for his chance to make it to the Big Leagues.

Like many of the players in Arizona this Fall, Halman flew through Single-A into Double-A this season. Upon his arrival in Double-A with West Tennessee, Halman was invited to the Olympic games by the Dutch Baseball Squad. Greg declined the offer since he had just arrived in Double-A and played tremendous baseball for the remainder of the minor league season. There is no doubt that his minor league leading stats helped him to the his invitation to the AFL. Halman was nearly one of the few minor leaguers to be a 30/30 man, hitting 29 home runs and stealing 31 bases.

While his primary position is center field, Greg Halman has been trying out multiple outfield positions for the Mariners. While he is glad to be in Arizona, Halman does not count out the opportunity to play for his home country in the Spring 2009 World Baseball Classic.