2080’s Arguello Names His AFL All-Star Teams, and More

No one on the 2080 Baseball staff saw more Arizona Fall League action than our Arizona-based John Arguello, who was a fixture at the fields throughout the the 2015 season. As we reach the midway point in our AFL recaps,

John has provided his AFL All-Star teams, superlatives, and a few answers to some questions posed by our editorial staff:

First Team

CA – Willson Contreras (Cubs)
1B – Dominic Smith (Mets)
2B –  Chad Pinder (Athletics)
3B – Jeimer Candelario (Cubs)
SS – Christian Arroyo (Giants)
CIF – D.J. Peterson (Mariners)
MIF – Daniel Robertson (Rays)
OF – Austin Meadows (Pirates)
OF – Lewis Brinson (Rangers)
OF – Raimel Tapia (Rockies)
OF – Brett Phillips (Brewers)
OF – Clint Frazier (Indians)
DH – Gary Sanchez (Yankees)

SP – Alex Reyes (Cardinals)
SP – Josh Hader (Brewers)
SP – Sean Manaea (Athletics)
SP – Lucas Sims (Braves)
SP – Luke Weaver (Cardinals)
SP – Kyle Freeland (Rockies)
RP – Nick Burdi (Twins)
RP – Carlos Estevez (Rockies)

Second Team

CA – Reese McGuire (Pirates)
1B – Rowdy Tellez (Blue Jays)
2B – Aledmys Diaz (Cardinals)
3B – Renato Nunez (Athletics)
SS – J.T. Riddle (Marlins)
CIF – Sam Travis (Red Sox)
MIF – Adam Frazier (Pirates)
OF – Phillip  Ervin (Reds)
OF – Mac Williamson (Giants)
OF – Adam Engel (White Sox)
OF – Austin Dean (Marlins)
OF –  Mike Gerber (Tigers)
DH –  Jurickson Profar (Rangers)

SP – Jharel Cotton (Dodgers)
SP – Adrian Houser (Brewers)
SP – Adalberto Mejia (Giants)
SP – Nick Travieso (Reds)
SP – Pierce Johnson (Cubs)
SP – Jacob Barnes (Brewers)
RP – Ray Black (Giants)
RP – Damien Magnifico (Brewers)

Superlatives

Top Overall Player (in order)

1. Alex Reyes
2. Austin Meadows
3. Lewis Brinson

Top MLB contributor for 2016 (in order)

1. Jurickson Profar
2. A.J. Reed (1B, Astros)
3. Lewis Brinson

Most Exciting Player (in order)

1. Lewis Brinson
2. Raimel Tapia
3. Clint Frazier

Most Exciting Tool (in order)

1. Alex Reyes (fastball)
2. Lewis Brinson (speed, defense)
3. Clint Frazier/A.J. Reed (raw power)

Quick Hits

Who are the three players that people should be talking about more?

1. Austin Dean
2. Aledmys Diaz
3. Carlos Estevez

What are the three storylines  people should be talking about a little less?

1. The high radar gun readings on various relief arms.
2. How Jeimer Candelario can’t play third base. He’s not going to be Manny Machado, but it’s been a long season and I’ve seen him play better.
3. How Sam Travis won’t hit for enough power to play first base. It’s a good bat and I think the power will come in time.

What’s the storyline that was fun to follow in the AFL but probably won’t survive the harsh reality of the upcoming season(s)?

1. I would love to see Bubba Starling (OF, Royals) become the five-tool player he was supposed to be. He has definitely grown his game, but hit tool is just not there for me.
2. It was nice to see him healthy and logging innings, but I don’t think Kyle Freeland makes it as a starter.

What player(s) turned your view around with their AFL performance(s)?

1. Gary Sanchez
2. Rowdy Tellez

Of everyone you saw, who ya got?

Alex Reyes