By Kelly:
We were able to go to 9 games in 4 days. We went to 2 games a day except the last day where we made it to 3 games. All the people that we talked to that have been going for years just told me to not tell anyone about the best kept secret in baseball, the Arizona Fall League. Well I’m sorry but the secrets out.
Best Team
This was an easy choice and we accepted it when the rosters came out. Mesa is stacked, from Addison Russell of the A’s, the trio from Chicago Bryant, Almora and Soler, C.J. Cron of the Angels has incredible power, Brian Goodwin from the Nationals is lightening quick. We saw Matt Purke, also of the Nationals, throw 4 innings of no hit ball and he was making the opposing team look silly. We saw Tyler Collins and Devon Travis each hit a moon shot in a game. Each of them are in the Tigers organization. The Mesa team was extremely impressive and I expect them to challenge for the 2013 AFL championship.
Most Surprising Player
I could have chosen any number of players but I’m going to go with Tommy La Stella of the Atlanta Braves. I haven’t heard much of him before seeing him play in Arizona. In the 2 games when saw him he went 3-6 with 2 doubles and 5 walks. Besides having the good numbers he passed the eyeball test. I could just tell he had the confidence at the plate and at 2nd base.
Most Disappointing Player
This is tough for me to say or admit but it was Corey Seager of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers are always great with the fans and Corey was not. We saw him 3 times and only once did he go over to the fans and there wasn’t any interaction. He just signed for the “auto-weasels” for a moment with his head down. His play on the field wasn’t much better either.
Best Overall Player
Without a doubt is was the Cubs #2 prospect Kris Bryant. He has unbelievable power and a pretty decent glove at 3rd. We saw him play three times and in one of the games in his first at bat he hit a towering ball that looked to bounce of the top of the wall but the umpire said it was a ground rule double. I thought it was a homerun as did everyone else in the stands including all the scouts.
It didn’t phase Bryant though because in his next 2 at bats he hit a HR that easily traveled 430 feet and an opposite field homerun that was a laser that went over the fence in a blink off an eye. On top of all that he was great with the fans signing and talking with them at each game we saw him. Cubs’ fans should be excited about him and I can’t wait to see him in the Majors.
Great thoughts on the AFL. I agree with what you had to say, especially about Kris Bryant and Seager. I know we were at one game together with both players. Bryant was AWESOME at the plate, in the field and with the fans. Seager was not so great in any of those. People around me were saying how Seager had signed for them at other games and was really friendly. I wish I could have seen that. I’ve also been telling anyone and everyone about the AFL. Can’t wait to return next year.
I heard the same thing about Seager also, that he was a good signer and was really nice but I just didn’t see it at the 3 games I saw him. Oh well he’s a Dodger and I will root for him once he makes the BIGS!!!