Drive Alum, McGuiness, Named MVP of AFL

In a league full of top prospects from across the minor leagues, Chris McGuiness stood out from the rest for the past six weeks. His efforts were rewarded on Saturday when he was named Most Valuable Player of the Arizona Fall League.

The 24-year-old lefty led the league with 27 RBI. For the season, he batted .283 with four homers in 25 games. He also posted a .370 on-base percentage, .467 slugging percentage, and .838 OPS.

McGuiness authored six three-RBI games and seven multi-hit games. On October 10, he went 4-for-5 with a double, home run and three RBI on October 10.

In 13 Saguaro home games, he hit .340 with 18 RBI and six of his nine extra-base hits.

The Charleston, SC native was the Fall League's week one player of the week after hitting .389 (7-18) with 2 runs, 2 doubles, 2 home runs, 6 RBI and 15 total bases. His first-week performance ranked him in the league lead for extra-base hits (4) and tied for second in home runs, RBI and total bases.

He also was a member of the West Division roster for the November 3 Rising Stars Game.

A 13th-round (408th overall) selection by Boston in the 2009 draft out of The Citadel, McGuiness suited up for the Drive in 2010, hitting .298 with 12 homers in 78 games before being traded to Texas in July, as part of a package that sent catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia to the Red Sox.

McGuiness hit .268 with 23 home runs and 77 RBI in 123 games in 2012 at Double-A Frisco.

In his four-year minor-league career, he owns a .260 batting average with 51 homers and 212 RBI.