Phoenix - Surprise Rafters' infelder Brandon Laird (NYY) and Peoria
Javelinas' frst baseman Russ Mitchell (LAD) are the Arizona Fall League's
week one co-players-of-the-week.Laird - The 6-1, 215-pound Laird, who has appeared at frst and third bases, leads the Fall League in hitting (.625, 10-16) after the season's frst week. His impressive start included four- and fve-hit efforts (9-11) in his frst two games. He also registered seven RBI.
Laird spent 2009 at High-A Tampa, batting .266 in 124 games with 20 doubles, 4 triples, 13 home runs, and 75 RBI. In three minor-league seasons, he has hit .281.
The Cypress, California native was the Yankees' 27th-round draft pick (844th overall) in the June, 2007 draft out of Cypress (CA) Community College.
Mitchell - All of Mitchell's week-one hits - three doubles, two home runs - went for extra bases. He enters week two hitting .417 (5-12).
The 6-1, 182-pound Mitchell is tied for the league lead with eight RBI. He accumulated the eight RBI with two four-RBI games.
Mitchell spent 2009 at Double-A Chattanooga, batting .241 in 131 games with 30 doubles, 3 triples, 13 home runs, and 63 RBI.
In seven minor-league seasons, he owns a .257 batting average.
The Cartersville, Georgia native was selected by the Dodgers in the 15th- round (451st overall) of the 2003 draft.
Other Nominees - Other players receiving player-of-the-week consideration were Surprise Rafters' frst baseman Ike Davis (NYM), Peoria Saguaros' outfelder Chris Heisey (CIN), Surprise Rafters' third baseman Mike Moustakas (KC), and Peoria Javelinas' outfelder Casper Wells (DET).
Arizona Fall League - The Arizona Fall League, known throughout professional baseball as a "fnishing school" for Major League Baseball's elite prospects, is a six-team league owned and operated by Major League Baseball that plays six days per week (Monday-Saturday) in fve Cactus League stadiums (Mesa, Peoria, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Surprise) in the Phoenix metropolitan area.
This year's schedule consludes with a championship game on Saturday, November 21 at Scottsdale Stadium. The mid-season Rising Stars Game will be played on Friday, November 7 at Surprise Stadium.
This Friday at Scottsdale Stadium, the Fall League holds its third annual Pat Tillman Foundation Beneft Night, an auction of sports memorabilia before and during the 6:35 p.m. Scottsdale Scorpions-Phoenix Desert Dogs game.
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