Top prospects show offensive prowess in AFL
Position players and pitchers came to the Arizona Fall League to make up for lost at-bats or innings pitched during the regular season. Some refined their skills and relished the opportunity to play against excellent competition. Most were tired and showed some fatigue.
There were countless players that thrived in the beautiful autumn weather of Arizona. Here are some of the position players that really caught my eye:
• San Diego Padres outfielder Hunter Renfroe was a dangerous hitter every time he came to the plate. A 2013 first-round selection, Renfroe finished the season hitting .284 and tying for the league lead in homers with six. He had a slugging percentage of .569.
• Reds outfielder Jesse Winker impressed me from the beginning with a consistent line-drive approach that resulted in a league-leading .338 average. Winker drove in 18 runs and finished with a .559 slugging percentage.
• First baseman Greg Bird of the Yankees won the Most Valuable Player Award in the league after hitting .313 and tying Renfroe for the lead in homers with six. Bird scored 21 runs to lead the league and knocked in 21, trailing only Patrick Kivlehan.
Video: PER@SRR: Greg Bird joins booth after winning MVP
• Eddie Rosario of the Twins played an outstanding left field and was a very tough out. He had the second-highest batting average at .330 and pounded pitches from foul pole to foul pole. He also stole 10 bases on the season and had four hits in the championship game.
• Left-handed-hitting Tigers outfielder Steven Moya crushed left-handed pitching. Long and lean, Moya hit .289 overall with five home runs, 19 RBIs and 17 runs scored. He hit .348 with two homers and nine RBIs in 23 at-bats against lefties, versus .269 with three homers and 10 RBIs in 67 at-bats against righties.
• Dodgers outfielder Scott Schebler showed outstanding offense with his five home runs and .310 average. Schebler finished with a .524 slugging percentage.
• Switch-hitting Roman Quinn provided Phillies fans with some excitement, as his 14 stolen bases (in 16 attempts) were the most in the league. He finished the season hitting .250, walking 16 times.
Video: Mayo, Callis on speedsters Pompey and Quinn
• Mariners outfield prospect Patrick Kivlehan led the league in RBIs with 22. He showed excellent baseball instincts and was a major presence playing most of his games at first base and a few in the outfield. He hit .280 with four homers.
• Oakland Athletics first baseman Matt Olson only played 11 games, all early in the season. His booming bat yielded a double, a triple and four homers in his 47 plate appearances. His power left a tremendous impression.
• Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge is listed at 6-foot-7 and 230 pounds, although he looks bigger. He has a loud, powerful bat and plays outstanding defense with a strong and accurate arm. He hit four homers and drove in 15 runs.
• The Astros' Joe Sclafani played in 12 games and hit .370. He had five doubles in 51 plate appearances. He also drove in ten runs with a very consistent bat.
• Miami's Justin Bohn played in 17 games and finished the season with a .328 batting average in 66 plate appearances.
• D-backs catcher/first baseman Peter O'Brien hit some of the longest home runs of the season. He showed outstanding power. While hitting five homers and slugging at a .512 percentage, he also improved behind the plate.
Video: MSS@SRR: O'Brien goes 3-for-4 with a double, an RBI
• White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson showed outstanding athletic ability. His speed, range and agility were among the best in the league. Not only did he play stellar defense, he hit .301 and showed some pop in his bat.
• Pirates catcher Elias Diaz showed outstanding defense and an emerging bat. His arm is extremely strong and accurate, with quick pop times and excellent overall mechanics. He hit .260 with two doubles and two triples.
• Rays catcher Justin O'Conner showed both outstanding defensive and offensive skills. He has a very strong, accurate arm with excellent catching mechanics. He hit .303 and had two homers in the AFL championship.
• Brewers outfielder Tyrone Taylor made an outstanding impression with his barrel-of-the-bat contact hitting. He struck out only seven times in his 85 at-bats.
• Blue Jays outfielder Dalton Pompey showed some exciting speed, stealing nine bases in 11 attempts. He hit .257 with four double and two triples. He's a guy to watch with a chance to help in the outfield.
• Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor had a nice season, especially on defense. He is very smooth and has a very strong and accurate arm. He hit .265 with three home runs.
• Addison Russell and Byron Buxton both left the league early. Buxton was injured and has had trouble staying healthy. While in Arizona he showed the speed, the pop in his bat and the defensive ability that have made him a special prospect.