AFL Wrap: Nick Castellanos Picks Up Two Hits In Fall Debut

Three members of the Detroit Tigers organization got into Tuesday’s Arizona Fall League opener donning the uniform of the Mesa Solar Sox. The Solar Sox lost, but no one pays attention to the AFL for the winning and losing. Here’s a recap of the night’s performances.

Nick Castellanos, as the Tigers’ consensus top prospect, is the marquee name for the organization in the AFL. He had a nice start to the fall season with a 2-5 day. Both hits were singles, and he struck out twice (which isn’t good), but there’s no shame in a .400/.400/.400 slash line after one day of play. Castellanos started in right field for Mesa.

Aaron Westlake was in the starting lineup as the team’s designated hitter, but didn’t acquit himself well with the competition. He struck out twice and popped out once in an 0-3 day that saw him only take one pitch for a ball. Westlake hasn’t been above low-A, so the competition level is more difficult than he’s probably used to.

Michael Morrison got into the game in relief, pitching two-thirds of an inning. His ERA still sits at 0.00, but he allowed a single, two walks, and hit a batter in his partial inning of work. He recorded his two outs by striking out a hitter and catching a runner trying to steal third base.

James McCann, Luke Putkonen, Matt Hoffman, and Tyler Clark did not play.