For the second consecutive fall, outfielder Chad Hinshaw performed well in the Arizona Fall League, batting .349 in 15 games for the Mesa Solar Sox. The 2014 Burlington Bee doubled four times and homered twice, while driving in 12 runs. Hinshaw’s great fall showing came off the heels of a season plagued by injury. Hinshaw spent a majority of the season on the disabled list for Class-AA Arkansas, playing in 79 games thanks to a thumb injury. Hinshaw still managed to hit .279 for Manager Bill Richardson and the Arkansas Travelers.  The Bloomington, Illinois native is currently rated as the 12th best prospect in the Angels’ system according to MLB.com. The end of MLB.com’s prospect profile on Hinshaw reads: A torn thumb ligament cost Hinshaw 10 weeks from the 2015 season, but his second straight strong AFL campaign has him ready to knock on the big league door soon. He may be a fourth outfielder when all is said and done, but he’s one who could help on both sides of the ball.

Hinshaw also had the advantage of joining former college teammate and fellow Angels’ prospect, Eric Aguilera in the Arizona Fall League as well as working with former hitting coach, current Inland Empire 66ers hitting coach, Brent Del Chiaro, who worked in the same capacity with the Mesa Solar Sox in the Arizona Fall League.

First timers 

Hinshaw’s college teammate, Eric Aguilera also put together impressive numbers in what was his first Arizona Fall League. The first baseman who had a breakout season with Inland Empire. Aguilera played in 18 games for Mesa, batting .275, belting a pair of homers and driving in 11 runs.

Former Bees’ catcher, Stephen McGee enjoyed a taste of life in AAA, ending the 2015 season with the Salt Lake Bees. McGee carried over his strong season which included a trip to the California/Carolina League All-Star game, by batting .250, slugging two homers and driving in eight runs in 13 games.

Caleb Adams was the only 2015 Burlington Bee to appear in the Arizona Fall League. Adams, who was a Midwest League All-Star, was on the Mesa Solar Sox’s taxi squad, playing in 10 games, batting .229 with two home runs and drove in five runs. Adams has found his way into the Angels’ top 30 on MLB.com, rated at number 26. Most see Adams as a left fielder in the future, or perhaps a fourth-outfielder type. If he can rein in the strikeouts, he has the chance to be an offensive contributor in either role. Reads Adams’ report on MLB.com.