Pirates AFL Updates: Derek Diamond Starts Fall Stars Game

Of the eight Pirates prospects who have played in the Arizona Fall League for the Scottsdale Scorpions this season, three received a nomination to the National League Fall Stars team: catcher Geovanny Planchart, right-handed pitcher Derek Diamond, and outfielder Sammy Siani.

Infielder Termarr Johnson almost certainly would’ve received a nomination as well, but he departed the Scorpions to play for Team USA earlier this month.

The Fall Stars Game took place on Saturday, November 9, with the National League falling 6-5.

Diamond got the start, the second Pirates’ pitcher to start an All-Star game (or equivalent) this season after Paul Skenes got the ball for the Midsummer Classic. The 2022 sixth round pick worked a 15 pitch first, landing 11 pitches for strikes and allowing a single.

Siani played all nine innings in left field, logging a pair of singles and a run scored (closing the National League’s deficit to 5-4 in the third inning), while Planchart entered as a defensive substitution in the seventh, grounding out in his only at-bat.

Scottsdale will be back in action at 2:30pm EST Monday, hosting the Surprise Saguaros.