Adam Engel Wins Arizona Fall League MVP, Batting Title Awards
Chicago White Sox prospect Adam Engel was given the 2015 Arizona Fall League Most Valuable Player award on Saturday after posting a .403 average over 19 games for Glendale Desert Dogs.
Engel’s batting average was the highest for the AFL, and it helped the no. 17 ranked White Sox prospect according to mlbpipeline.com also capture the Batting Title award. The outfield prospect became the first AFL player to hit over .400 during the AFL since 2013 when C.J. Cron, first baseman for the Los Angeles Angels, accomplished this feat. Engel also had two hits during the AFL Fall Stars game.
Nov 7, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Chicago White Sox outfielder Adam Engel (left) celebrates with teammates after scoring during the Arizona Fall League Fall Stars game at Salt River Fields. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The 23-year old outfielder was selected in the 19th round of the 2013 MLB draft out of Louisville and hasn’t played above A-ball. Engel played the 2015 season with advanced Single-A Winston-Salem Dash and hit .251 with a .704 OPS. Engel also led the AFL with an on-base-percentage of .523 and had a slugging percentage of .642.
Engel is the first White Sox player to win the AFL MVP award. The most recent AFL MVP award winners include Greg Bird of the New York Yankees in 2014, Kris Bryant of the Chicago Cubs in 2013, Chris McGuiness of the Texas Rangers in 2012 and Nolan Arenado of the Colorado Rockies in 2011.