Mesa notes: Angels' Hinshaw happily returns

Though most games don't sell out, the Arizona Fall League garners a lot of attention.

With front-office staff watching their own players learn a new position or return from an injury, and scouts keeping an eye out for trade candidates or Rule 5 Draft prospects, some players feel pressure during the showcase league.

But in his second Fall League campaign, Chad Hinshaw knows how to handle it.

"There are a lot of eyes out here -- you're constantly being judged," the Angels prospect said. "But [I learned] to just go out and relax and not overdo it. When you [overdo it], that's when you know you start to stress."

After a thumb injury limited his third professional season to 79 games, Hinshaw's assumption was confirmed that he would be returning to Arizona for the second year in a row.

"When I found out, I was happy again, just to go out and compete against a bunch of guys I've already played against, against the best of the best," the 25-year-old said. "It's always an honor to be invited to Fall League."

Twenty-seven games into Hinshaw's first stint with Double-A Arkansas, the center fielder injured his thumb and was sidelined for two months. After eight rehab games with the Arizona League Angels, Hinshaw returned to the Texas League on July 22. The Illinois native finished the year with a .291 average, 30 RBIs and 30 stolen bases.

"Thumb's doing great. Took a lot of at-bats away from me and that's never good for anyone. But I'm doing good now, healthy and now I'm ready to come back out here and compete," he said. "Pretty much just really [looking forward to] getting more at-bats. That's crucial for my development, is the hitting aspect, so just continuing to get at-bats, experience and learning through games."

Hinshaw got the lay of the AFL land last year when he hit .284/.410/.343 with seven stolen bases for the Mesa Solar Sox. The Illinois State product is more prepared this time around now that he knows what to expect.

"I think it's definitely going to help. Just coming out here and knowing that, having already gone through what to do and stuff like that, it gives a little bit of an advantage," he said. "But everyone out here is talented, too -- everyone is competing just like I am. So not too much of an advantage, but maybe a little bit."

The 2013 Draft pick will be sharing some of his Fall League expertise with Eric Aguilera, a fellow Redbird as well as a Traveler at the end of last season.

"I'll help him however I can. I'd love to see him have a lot of success out here," the center fielder said. "It's always awesome playing with a friend, someone you've played before -- makes things a little bit easier, especially on the first day if you don't really know too many people.

"You always have someone to go back to, but also just every day you got someone to hit with, throw with, stuff like that, talk to if you need advice."

In brief

Fly the 'W': Mesa features three of the Cubs' top pitching prospects in Pierce Johnson (No. 7), Corey Black (No. 18) and Rob Zastryzny (No. 24). All three are taking the mound to log some extra innings after missing time this season with injuries. Like the others, Black began the season as a starter but was sent to the bullpen in May and will continue to log innings there this fall. Zastryzny is coming off the toughest season of his career, posting a 5.98 ERA in 15 starts and is looking to put a foot injury and the rough year behind him.

Return of the Man(aea): Sean Manaea's career boils down to one factor so far: if he's healthy, he'll pitch well. After abdominal and groin injuries delayed his 2015 campaign until late June, the southpaw worked his way up the Royals system before getting dealt to the A's at the trade deadline. Switching Texas League clubhouses, Oakland's top pitching prospect finished the season with a 1.90 ERA in seven starts for Midland and now looks to keep the dominant outings rolling into the Fall League.