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- Updated: December 16, 2016
It was announced this week that Ronald Acuna, Stone Garrett and Kevin Padlo will represent the World team in the 2017 Australian Baseball League All-Star Game, which is set to be played on Dec. 22 at Melbourne Ballpark.
Acuna’s .359 average, the second-best mark in the ABL, through 17 games for the Melbourne Aces made him an obvious selection for the game — this after the Braves’ No. 17 prospect posted a .311/.387/.432 slash line over 40 games at Class A Rome last season in an injury-plagued campaign. In addition to his average, Acuna, 18, owns a share of the league lead in hits (23) and steals (12) and is tied for second in total bases (34).
Garrett, the Marlins’ No. 7 prospect, was selected for the All-Star Game after hitting .306/.362/.419 with four extra-base hits through his first 17 contests for the Sydney Blue Sox. It’s been an encouraging performance for the 21-year-old outfielder, who missed much of the 2016 regular season as the result of a practical joke gone wrong by then-teammate Josh Naylor resulted in right thumb laceration and subsequent surgery.
As for Padlo, the Rays’ No. 20 prospect sits atop the ABL leaderboard in extra-base hits (11) and triples (three), ranks second in RBIs (tied-15) and doubles (seven), and seventh in total bases (32). During the regular season, the 20-year-old third baseman posted a .771 OPS thanks to a Midwest League-leading 79 walks and finished tied for third with 16 home runs at Class A Bowling Green.
Here’s a look at some of the top prospects currently making waves in offseason leagues.
Dominican Republic
• Alex Reyes, RHP, Cardinals — Reyes was assigned Friday to the DWL, where he will get in some extra work ahead of his first full season in the Major Leagues. The Cardinals’ No. 1 prospect (No. 7 overall) was excellent in his first taste and a major reason St. Louis remained in the playoff hunt down the stretch. In 12 appearances (five starts), the 22-year-old …
