TinCaps catcher Austin Allen has been named to the 2016 Midwest League Post-Season All-Star Team, the league announced Tuesday. The league’s 16 managers voted Allen as the top catcher in the league.
“It’s awesome to hear that. Just thank you to all the managers for the votes,” Allen said. “I’ve had a fun first full season. We have two weeks left, ready to get some wins and push for playoffs. I’m blessed and humbled by receiving this.”
Allen, the fourth-round pick of the Padres in 2015, leads the TinCaps in batting average (.309), on-base percentage (.353), slugging percentage (.416), hits (119) and total bases (160). As of Aug. 23, he ranks eighth in the Midwest League in batting average.
“This is an award that Austin earned back during the offseason,” TinCaps manager Anthony Contreras said. “He worked exceptionally hard to put himself in better physical shape, and his work ethic has been consistent throughout this season. The results speak for themselves.”
The backstop from Florida Tech surged out of the gates in his first full professional season and hit .460 with seven extra-base hits and 14 RBIs in April. Allen led all of the minor leagues in batting average through May 8, was tabbed as the Midwest League Player of the Month for April and was recognized as the league’s first Player of the Week (April 7-17).
A Midwest League All-Star for his performance in the first half of the season, Allen has continued to hit near .300 in the second half, with 26 RBIs in 46 second-half games.
Allen and the TinCaps continue their four-game series with the Great Lakes Loons (Los Angeles Dodgers) in Midland, Michigan, on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. at Dow Diamond. The TinCaps return home to Parkview Field on Friday to kick off a four-game series with the West Michigan Whitecaps (Detroit Tigers).
POSITION PLAYER B/T HT/WT BIRTHDATE CLUB/AFFILIATE
First Base Will Maddox L/R 5’10/180 06/11/92 West Michigan/Detroit
Second Base Luis Arraez L/R 5’10/177 04/09/97 Cedar Rapids/Minnesota
Third Base Kevin Padlo R/R 6’2/215 07/15/96 Bowling Green/Tampa Bay
Shortstop Isan Diaz L/R 5’10/196 05/27/96 Wisconsin/Milwaukee
Outfield Eloy Jimenez R/R 6’4/205 11/27/96 South Bend/Chicago
Connor Marabell L/L 6’1/195 03/28/94 Lake County/Cleveland
Magneuris Sierra L/L 5’11/170 04/07/96 Peoria/St. Louis
Catcher Austin Allen L/R 6’4/225 01/16/94 Fort Wayne/San Diego
Designated Trevor Mitsui R/R 6’4/238 10/01/92 Kane County/Arizona
Hitter
RH Pitcher Preston Morrison R/R 6’3/185 07/19/93 South Bend/Chicago
LH Pitcher (Tie) Angel Perdomo L/L 6’7/240 05/07/94 Lansing/Toronto
Evan Manarino L/L 6’1/195 12/28/92 Beloit/Oakland
RH Reliever Nathan Griep R/R 6’3/210 10/11/93 Wisconsin/Milwaukee
LH Reliever Spencer Herrmann L/L 6’4/235 08/06/93 Clinton/Seattle
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Eloy Jimenez – South Bend/Chicago
PROSPECT OF THE YEAR: Eloy Jimenez – South Bend/Chicago
MANAGER OF THE YEAR: Jimmy Gonzalez – South Bend/Chicago
