FRESNO, Calif. – Three Diamond 'Dog alumni have been added to rosters for MLB's Arizona Fall League, set to start play on Monday.
The Arizona Fall League is comprised of six teams, each rostered with players from five different Major League organizations. The AFL regular season begins on October 2 and will play out through November 10 at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz. The AFL Championship will be held at Scottsdale Stadium on Saturday, November 11. More information on the AFL and game coverage can be found here.
Zach Morgan, Catcher, Scottsdale Scorpions (San Francisco Giants)
Zach Morgan served as a catcher for Fresno State for the Bulldogs from 2019 to 2022 before being drafted in the seventh round of the 2022 MLB Draft by the San Francisco Giants. While at Fresno State, Morgan had a career .344 average with 11 total home runs, 66 RBI, 27 doubles, and a slugging percentage of .493 in four seasons.
After the draft, Morgan was assigned to the Arizona Complex League followed by the San Jose Giants (Low-A Affiliate) a month later. In his two seasons with the Giants, Morgan posted a .252 average with 61 games played. He recorded 38 hits with 14 doubles, two triples and four home runs in addition to 37 RBIs and 38 runs scored.
On July 28, 2023, Morgan advanced to the Eugene Emeralds (High-A Affiliate) and has appeared in 26 games with a .292 average with six doubles and two home runs.
Ricky Tyler Thomas, Pitcher, Glendale Desert Dogs (New York Mets)
Ricky Tyler Thomas, now Tyler Thomas, ruled the mound for Fresno State from 2015 to 2017. As a Bulldog, Thomas held a 3.65 career ERA with 47 appearances. In his 236 innings pitched, Thomas struck out 243 batters and allowed only 91 walks. Thomas was selected in the seventh round of the 2017 MLB Draft by the Chicago Cubs and was assigned to the Eugene Emeralds shortly after.
In his Minor league career, Thomas has been a part of the Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers and New York Mets organizations. He has accumulated a 3.66 Minor league career ERA in 270.2 innings pitched with 243 strikeouts and only 91 walks. Most recently, Thomas has been pitching for the Syracuse Mets (Triple-A Affiliate).
Carter Bins, Catcher, Salt River Rafters (Pittsburgh Pirates)
Carter Bins spent three years behind the plate for the Bulldogs from 2017-2019 before he was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 11th round of the 2019 MLB Draft. Bins had a career .298 average during his time with the 'Dogs with 95 RBIs, 19 home runs, 165 hits, 41 doubles and a .465 slugging percentage.
Since the draft, Bins has played in the Seattle Mariners and Pittsburgh Pirates organizations and most recently has been on the roster for the Altoona Curve (Double-A Affiliate). He owns a .212 average as a Minor league player with 166 hits, 29 home runs, 35 doubles and 120 RBIs.