2016 Arizona Fall League: Notes for 11/2/2016

Some player notes relating to the 2016 Arizona Fall League:

Anthony Alford, OF, Toronto Blue Jays (Mesa Solar Sox): Through 13 games in the Arizona Fall League, Toronto Blue Jays outfield prospect Anthony Alford is hitting .292/.370/.500 with two homers, three steals in five attempts, six walks and 14 strikeouts in 48 at-bats. Alford was one of Toronto's top prospects entering 2016 but slogged through an injury-plagued season in High-A, hitting .236/.344/.378 in 92 games. Alford has excellent athletic tools and has shown signs of putting his skills together. Although his batting average at Dunedin was low, he drew 53 walks, stole 18 bases, and got to his power more often. Contact is the main concern going forward and that's been evident in Arizona with the 16 whiffs, but his other skills have shown well too. The transition to Double-A in 2017 will be highly interesting.

Yefri Perez, OF, Miami Marlins (Mesa Solar Sox):Scouts are always on the lookout for one loud tool and Marlins outfielder Yefri Perez has that in his 70-grade speed (some sources give him an 80; he's just damn fast). He's hitting .354/.436/.396 with seven steals in nine attempts, seven walks and 10 strikeouts over 48 at-bats. The 25-year-old switch-hitter has no power at all (he had just 11 extra base hits in 328 at-bats in Double-A this year) but he can fly and has improved his sense of the strike zone over the last two years. He could be a good fourth outfielder.

Josh VanMeter, 2B, San Diego Padres (Peoria Javelinas): San Diego Padres prospect Josh VanMeter is hitting .275/.456/.350 through 40 at-bats for Peoria. Two things stand out here: 15 walks, and his birthday of March 10, 1995, making him one of the younger players in the league at age 21. The left-handed hitter has always shown good plate discipline and needs to be monitored closely for further signs of development.

Eric Wood, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates (Surprise Saguaros): Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Eric Wood ranks third in the league with a .364 average through 44 at-bats; he's also tied for the circuit lead with three homers, ranks second in OBP at .451 and fourth in SLG at .591. Wood turns 24 later this month and was a sixth round pick in 2012 from Blinn Junior College. He hit a so-so .249/.339/.443 this year in Double-A  and his tools are considered just average, but he's made enough noise this fall to get noticed.