One thing he isn't doing this season is going to the Eastern League playoffs. The Trenton Thunder were eliminated Wednesday night when they lost 6-5 in 12 innings to the New Britain Rock Cats.
TRENTON - When it comes to the New York Yankees minor league season, Dan Fiorito has pretty much done it all.
One thing he isn't doing this season is going to the Eastern League playoffs. The Trenton Thunder were eliminated Wednesday night when they lost 6-5 in 12 innings to the New Britain Rock Cats.
Combined with a Binghamton Mets win over Reading, Trenton's season will now end on Labor Day. Their record is 69-67 and will likely leave them in third place in the East Division when it's all over.
Since signing out of Manhattanville College three years ago, the 25-year-old has played at Single-A Tampa, Double-A Trenton and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
In his first year of professional ball, in 2013, Fiorito spent time at all three levels. Last year he started in Trenton and again finished the season in Triple-A for a few games.
This season he started here, was moved up to Scranton, returned here, was then sent to Tampa, and came back here Tuesday.
He was in the lineup again Wednesday, playing third base and batting ninth at Arm & Hammer Park. Announced attendance was 3,473.
Mark Payton's grand slam had given Trenton a 5-3 lead in the sixth inning, but the Rock Cats tied the score in the eighth on a double and two singles. New Britain won it on a two-out triple
The teams combined for 27 hits, with the game taking 3:31. The four-game series concludes tonight.
As if Fiorito's travels haven't been varied enough, the Yonkers resident has played all infield positions and even pitched in relief three times.
What he has not done is move through the system and thrown away the key from his previous residence. And that, especially in his third year in the organization, has been frustrating.
For Fiorito, who will continue working on his Master's in Physical Education this off season, the see-saw ride is just part of playing in the park.
"It's part of the business,'' said Fiorito, a graduate of Fordham Prep and resident of Yonkers. "Obviously when you're first sent down it's never a great feeling, but you look for the good, and I think I did that. The team did well and I have a good time.''
The right-hander hit .318 in six games at Triple-A in early July, but was 4-for-40 before being demoted to Tampa in early August. He batted .368 there in 16 games.
"You learn early on to become a professional, and being a true professional is going about your business day in and day out no matter where you're at or what position you're playing. The goal is to be the best player you can be. From day one I've had the same mind set.
"There are only two things you can really control in this game, and that's your attitude and effort. You put those forth and good things will come.''
He has had the benefit of three different managers and three different hitting coaches, and, he added, has played a lot of games.
"That's been a blessing,'' he said about his at-bats. "And I've been healthy. All in all I've had a great time.''
Between classes this semester Fiorito will also work with kids in his hometown. "I really enjoy that. Trying to mold young kids' futures in the game is a huge passion of mine,'' he said. "But most important is getting ready for next spring.''