Pitchers Mitch Horacek, Jesus Tinoco, and Tyler Mark enjoy some downtime after a bullpen session at Salt River Fields, the Rafters' home ballpark in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Erica Block)
Tyler Mark, who's from Los Angeles, and Bo Takahashi, who's from Brazil, are right-handed pitching prospects in the Diamondbacks organization. The two roomed together during the Fall League season and say they speak Spanish almost exclusively at home. (Photo by Erica Block)
Jesus Tinoco and Justin Lawrence, two pitching prospects in the Colorado Rockies organization, play catch and throw long toss before their game against the Peoria Javelinas that evening. (Photo by Erica Block)
Members of the Salt River pitching staff shag fly balls in the outfield in the hours before the Arizona Fall League championship game. (Photo by Erica Block)
Tres Barrera is a catcher in the Washington Nationals organization who grew up in Texas. Barrera says his ability to speak Spanish is crucial, since being bilingual allows him to communicate with Spanish-speaking pitchers, coaches, and other teammates who are still learning English. (Photo by Erica Block)
Pitching coach Dave Burba chats with battery mates Tres Barrera and Bo Takahashi before the Rafters' evening game against the Mesa Solar Sox. (Photo by Erica Block)
Starting pitcher Bo Takahashi and coach Dave Burba stand for the national anthem before Takahashi takes the mound. (Photo by Erica Block)
Pitchers Justin Lawrence and Jesus Tinoco chat outside the bullpen during an afternoon practice at Salt River Fields. (Photo by Erica Block)
Salt River hitting coach Shelley Duncan coaches first base during an afternoon game in Peoria. (Photo by Erica Block)
Tyler Mark and Bo Takahashi watch teammates throw in the bullpen at Salt River Fields. (Photo by Erica Block)
Catcher Tres Barrera and teammates prepare to take the field as the Fall League championship game enters extra innings with the score tied 2-2. (Photo by Erica Block)
Justin Lawrence takes the mound in the bottom of the ninth during the Fall League championship game on November 17. (Photo by Erica Block)
The bullpen can be a world unto its own. (Photo by Erica Block)
Salt River pitchers watch their championship game unfold from the visitor's bullpen at Scottsdale Stadium. (Photo by Erica Block)
