Dec. 9, 2008
Former Diamond Dons Aaron Poreda (2005-07) and Scott Cousins (2004-06) finished the Arizona Fall League ranked 16th and 18th respectively among top baseball prospects. USF and the University of Tennessee are the only schools with two former players honored on the list (J.P Arencibia and Julio Borbon). Poreda, who started on the Hilltop, has transitioned into a closer in the minor leagues. For the Peoria Saguaros, Poreda was 0-0 with a 7.71 ERA in 10 appearances. In 9.1 innings, he struck out 12, while just walking eight. Poreda earned one hold and helped his team to a 26-12 record and a second place finish in the AFL American League. In 25 games for the Mesa Solar Sox, Cousins batted .297 with 30 hits (seven doubles, four triples, and six homeruns), drove in 33 runs, and scored 28, walked 14 times, and stole three bags. He helped his club to a 26-12 record, and a first place finish in AFL American League. The Solar Sox took the season title after finishing the season series with the Saguaros 4-3. Another former Don, Stefan Gartrell (2003-06), was a member of the Saguaros before suffering a shoulder injury early in the fall season. Gartrell batted .269 with seven hits (two doubles), six walks, and a stolen base in eight games. Poreda, Cousins, and Gartrell join Tagg Bozied ( at USF 1998-2001), Joe Nelson (1996), Jermaine Clark (1995-97), Jesse Foppert (1999-2001), and Nick Pereira (2004-05) as Dons who have graced the fields of the Arizona Fall League. 2008 Arizona Fall League Top 20 Prospects:
1. Matt Wieters, c (Orioles)
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