Mesa 3B Kris Bryant (Cubs) Named AFL MVP
November 16, 2013 - Arizona Fall League (AzFL) News Release
Scottsdale, Arizona - Mesa Solar Sox third baseman Kris Bryant (Cubs) has been named winner of the Arizona Fall League's 2013 Joe Black MVP Award.
Bryant, the second overall selection in the 2013 draft out of the University of San Diego, recorded a memorable six weeks in the Arizona Fall League. He led the league with six home runs, hit .364 to rank fifth, started at third base for the East Division in the November 2 Fall Stars Game, and notched a 20-game on-base streak that equalled the league lead.
In addition to homers, the former high school salutatorian also led the AFL in slugging percentage (.727), extra-base hits (15-tie), runs scored (22-tie) and total bases (56-tie). He ranked second in doubles (8), fourth in on-base percentage
On October 18 against Surprise, the 6-5, 215-pound Bryant stung the Saguaros with three hits that included 2 homers, 3 runs scored and 4 RBI.
The Las Vegas, NV native is ranked as baseball's No. 35 overall prospect, the No. 2 third-base prospect, and the Cubs' No. 4 prospect by MLB.com.
Following the June draft, Bryant quickly climbed three rungs in the Cubs' organizational ladder, hitting .336 with nine homers and 32 RBI in 36 games with the rookie-level Cubs in the Arizona League, short-season Class-A Boise and High-A Daytona.
Other Nominees - Other nominated players were Mesa first baseman C.J. Cron (Angels), Surprise outfielders Mitch Haniger (Brewers) and Tyler Naquin, (Indians), Glendale outfielder Jared Mitchell (White Sox), Salt River outfielder Stephen Piscotty (Cardinals), Scottsdale catcher Andrew Susac (Giants) and Peoria infielder Chris Taylor (Mariners).
Joe Black MVP Award - The Arizona Fall League did not select an MVP during its first 10 seasons. In 2002, the league created the Joe Black Most Valuable Player Award, named after former big league pitcher Joe Black, the 1952 National League rookie-of-the-year.
Arizona Fall League Joe Black Most Valuable Player Award Recipients
2013 - Kris Bryant (Cubs), 3B, Mesa Solar Sox
2012 - Chris McGuiness (Rangers), 1B, Surprise Saguaros
2011 - Nolan Arenado (Rockies), 3B, Salt River Rafters
2010 - Dustin Ackley (Mariners), 2B, Peoria Javelinas
2009 - Grant Desme (Athletics), OF, Phoenix Desert Dogs
2008 - Tommy Hanson (Braves), RHP, Mesa Solar Sox
2007 - Sam Fuld (Cubs), OF, Mesa Solar Sox
2006 - Chip Cannon (Blue Jays), 1B, Phoenix Desert Dogs
2005 - Eric Duncan (Yankees), 3B, Grand Canyon Rafters
2004 - Chris Shelton (Tigers), DH, Grand Canyon Rafters
2003 - Jason Dubois (Cubs), OF, Mesa Solar Sox
2002 - Ken Harvey (Royals), 1B, Scottsdale Scorpions
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Arizona Fall League Stories from November 16, 2013
- Surprise 3B Garin Cecchini (BOS) Wins Stenson Award - AzFL
- Mesa 3B Kris Bryant (Cubs) Named AFL MVP - AzFL
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