Austin Allen Named Midwest League Post-Season All-Star

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - 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 managerAnthony 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).

 

See below for the complete Midwest League Post-Season All-Star roster

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

DH    Trevor Mitsui             R/R     6'4/238             10/01/92                   Kane County/Arizona       

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