Dodgers top outfield prospect Joc Pederson finally collected his first hit of the 2012 Arizona Fall League on Saturday afternoon, thus ending his painful 0 for 19 slump. Pederson went 2 for 5 with two singles and drove in two for the Mesa Solar Sox. Unfortunately 2 for 24 equates to a dismal .083 batting average, but you’ve got to start somewhere, right?

If Joc Pederson is truly out of his slump, look for him to absolutely explode in the 21 games remaining in the 2012 AFL. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

The line score of Saturday’s game against the Surprise Saguaros resembled a beer league softball game, with the Sox losing 16-10. It was the sixth consecutive loss for the Solar Sox and now has them in last place in the League’s East Division. The good news is that they trail the division-leading Scottsdale Scorpions by only three games with 21 games remaining.

Pederson, the Dodgers 2012 Minor League Player of the Year, hit the ball sharply in each of his five at bats on Saturday, including a hard line drive to center in his fourth at bat of the afternoon. The 20-year-old Palo Alto, CA native grounded out in his other two at bats which suggests that he is now seeing the ball much better.

Fellow Dodgers prospect and Solar Sox teammate Rafael Ynoa picked up another hit on Saturday going 1 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored. Ynoa continues to lead the Sox in hitting with his .357 batting average.

Dodgers left-handed pitching prospect Eric Eadington pitched a scoreless 7th inning for the Sox allowing one hit while striking out one, thus lowering his ERA to an impressive 3.60.

No other Dodgers prospects were in Saturday’s line-up for the Solar Sox.

As do all AFL teams, the Solar Sox have Sunday off and resume action on Monday evening against the Salt River Rafters at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. The Sox trail the Rafters by 1.5 games in the standing.