Opening Day for Glendale Desert Dogs in AFL
February 19, 2013; Glendale, AZ, USA; Chicago White Sox catcher Kevan Smith (81) poses for a picture during photo day at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
The 2014 Arizona Fall League begins today, including the Glendale Desert Dogs, who are an affiliate of the Chicago White Sox.
Not only are the Desert Dogs with the White Sox, the Baltimore Orioles, Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Dodgers and the Milwaukee Brewers also have players from their organization on the roster.
The Desert Dogs will be hosting the Mesa Solar Sox of the East Division. Glendale is in the West Division.
Sep 22, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Chris Bassitt (61) pitches in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Members of the White Sox organization on the Desert Dogs are: Chris Bassitt (RHP), Francellis Montas (RHP), Jefferson Olacio (LHP), Scott Snodgress (LHP), Kevan Smith (C), Tim Anderson (IF) and Nick Basto (IF).
Managing the Desert Dogs will be Lance Parrish.
Smith will be on the opening day starting lineup for Glendale as he will be batting eighth in the order and playing catcher. The starting pitcher for the Desert Dogs will be Zach Davies, who is a part of the Orioles organization.
More from White Sox Prospects
- Tyler Schweitzer could become a great White Sox pitcher
- The Chicago White Sox drafted well on days two and three
- This White Sox prospect is absolutely on fire right now in AAA
- Yoelqui Cespedes has been red-hot for the White Sox
- Looking at the potential of White Sox prospect Oscar Colas
As for Smith (who bats right-handed), he played this past season with the Birmingham Barons, finishing with a .290 batting average with 10 home runs and 48 RBIs in 106 games. Of his 113 hits, Smith had 21 doubles and three triples.
Smith (6-4, 230) walked 46 times and struck out 68 times. He finished ’14 with a .376 on-base percentage and .437 slugging percentage. His OPS was .813.
This season, Smith was a mid-season SOU All-Star.
The rest of the Opening Day schedule is Peoria Javelinas vs. Surprise Saguaros and the Scottsdale Scorpions vs. Salt River Rafters.
Glendale and Mesa will have a first pitch time of 12:35 p.m. MST.