Featured autograph - Yordan Alvarez

He might not have had many cards back when he played in the Arizona Fall League in 2017, so I had Alvarez sign a 2015 Topps Pro Debut Fragment of the Farm Round Rock Express seat relic I'd bought at a card shop - I thought I'd turned a non-player relic into something unique even if I had to wait a couple of years before Alvarez would presumably be playing his home games at the stadium where the relic was from.

As it goes, I didn’t actually look to see which big league team Round Rock was affiliated with at the time and what level [Round Rock had been the Texas Rangers’ Triple-A farm team since 2011, when I thought it was Houston's Double-A affiliate] - it's just not a big deal, but now I had this 'weird, phantom' in-person autograph card signed by a player whose relation with the subject featured on-card was non-existent.

Alvarez reached the Triple-A level in 2018 with the Fresno Grizzlies [when the Grizzlies were affiliated with the Astros] - but was in playing in Double-A when the Fresno made its only trip to Round Rock, so I couldn't say he at least played at the ballpark as a visiting player.

Go figure, after the completion of the 2018 season, the Astros ditched Fresno and had a new agreement with Round Rock to be their Triple-A affiliate - I could finally show off this card, signed by a Cuban slugger tearing up the Pacific Coast League so far as opposed to stashing it away in a box of fails.

2016 Bowman Albert Pujols oversize card

I was able to pick up four different 25h anniversary Arizona Fall League 5x7 cards at a couple of AFL games I attended - the cards were handed out in pairs, with an Andrew McCutchen card to go with the Pujols.

The other cards I got were of Matt Holliday and Adam Wainwright - these cards resemble the 2016 Bowman design but with the AFL's league 25th anniversary logo added in front.

The card backs identify the players' fall league teams as well as a AFL team logo added - there is a write-up of the players' career highlights with a line featuring their fall league stats.

Featured autograph - Kyle Kubitza

I don't know much about Kubitza except the Angels picked him up during the offseason - I got him to sign a couple of cards in the Arizona Fall League a few years ago, so his autograph is already in the collection if he plays in a game for the Angels at some point.

Dare I dream that the 24-year old turns into a solid, but unspectacular player if and when he gets to the big leagues with the Angels - I don't think he's ever been regarded as a top prospect, but I'm just hoping Kubitza establishes himself as a useful MLB player for more than just a couple of years.

Featured autograph - Taylor Featherston

At the very least Featherston will be with the Angels through spring training, trying to stick around after being picked up from the Colorado Rockies in the Rule 5 draft - he has some pop for a middle infielder, though he looks like he swings and misses too much with his batting average / on-base percentage dipping in his three full minor league seasons.

Featured autograph - Andrew Heaney

A Miami Marlin just a few days ago, Heaney was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers and then flipped to the Angels for long time second baseman Howie Kendrick - as an Angels fan, I look forward to watch Heaney earn a spot on the starting rotation in 2015 and start to do his business.

I don't know much about him except he's lefthanded and I've already gotten his autograph a few times during the 2013 Arizona Fall League - from the bits and pieces I would guess Heaney gets results as more of a polished pitcher who throws 90-91 MPH as opposed to overpowering opposing hitters with pure stuff.

The kid seems to be is a legit prospect - though he's not another Chris Sale.

Featured autograph - Buddy Bell

I caught him in the Arizona Fall League and he works as a front office guy for the Chicago White Sox - I've hoarded his cards for a while and was geeked up to finally spot him at a game.

However, he only ended up signing one of my cards and not one [I had a couple] was a 2004 Upper Deck 25th Anniversary USA card for my set - maybe I should have jumped on him the moment I saw him, but I wanted to let my friend get him first in case it was just some random middle aged guy I only thought was Bell.

I felt like Bell did me kind of dirty since I expected him to sign multiples - I probably had a few more chances to get him at the game I was at, but I was bummed out.

Featured autograph - Daniel Robertson II

I sometimes get this Daniel Robertson confused with the other Daniel Robertson, the one the Angels recently picked up - the Robertson that signed this baseball is in the Oakland Athletics' system and might be worth watching as far as a guy should end up in the major leagues at some point.

Featured autograph - Raul A. Mondesi

The 19-year old Raul Adalberto Mondesi is the more prominent of the two sons of the original Raul Mondesi to play professional baseball - the other son [Raul Ramon Mondesi Jr.] might have already flamed out and his playing status is unclear at this point.

A Kansas City prospect, Raul A. Mondesi hit only .211 in the minors this past season [with 24 walks and a 122 strike outs] - but with youth and potential on his side, he was still tagged by Baseball America as the Royals' number one prospect for 2015.

Arizona Fall League game ball

I was looking to bring home a fall league souvenir besides the assorted things I may get signed and I was able to get this game ball - I was hanging down the right field line during a day game in Mesa and after a foul ball was hit [probably down the line, where it ricochets back onto the field], one of the outfielders has to grab it to toss it out of play.

I call for the player [Dwight Smith Jr. of the Mesa Solar Sox] for the ball and he throws it towards my direction - there was no one around me and I ended up with the ball; it's not quite a big deal because I'd like to think I'm all grown up, but I didn't have to worry about impulsively buying a program, a media guide or maybe a t-shirt.

Featured autograph - Dalton Pompey

A relative unknown coming into the 2014 season, the native Canadian is going to be the next big thing in the outfield [at least for the Toronto Blue Jays] - Melky Cabrera doesn't look to be re-signed, Colby Rasmus' status is up in the air and Anthony Gose [who might have been in Pompey's shoes just a few years ago] was shipped off to Detroit.

Pompey has made a steady, unspectacular climb through the minors, but while he might not be a finished product, he is going to be 22 next year - he has speed to burn and if his other hitting attributes come together, he might be a top of the lineup threat for years to come.

Featured autograph - Jesse Winker

Winker led the Arizona Fall League in hitting and was ranked No. 6 among the Top 25 AFL prospects according to Jim Callis at MLB.com - Winker's emergence may make Jay Bruce trade bait if the Cincinnati Reds are offered the right players in return.

Featured autograph - Greg Bird and Tyler Austin

Greg Bird was named the 2014 Arizona Fall League Most Valuable Player - I got him to sign a few times and his limits would generally vary from signing one to three cards at a time.

Tyler Austin is a great autograph signer - though he was a repeat from last year's fall league, he continued to be accommodating when he signed, patiently signing cards for those who approached him without any hesitation [within reason of course, but if you had the cards, Austin would sign pretty much all of them].

Featured autograph - Aaron Judge

This was a card given to me by my buddy when I didn't have anything for Judge to get signed after a game in Scottsdale during the Arizona Fall League - my quick impression of Judge is he's a gentle giant, maybe just a humble sort who is fairly down to earth [for a prospect].

However, there is no mistaking the fact that Judge is one large human being and sort of similar in stature the Miami Marlins' $325 million man Giancarlo Stanton - as is, looking the part is one thing, but Judge isn't quite projected to be the slugger Stanton has been.

If things fall into place, Judge maybe more of a very good MLB player [or even trade bait if it comes to that point for him as a New York Yankees' prospect] - rather than a player who can be a franchise player the Yankees can build around for years to come.

Featured autograph - Matt Reynolds

In the Arizona Fall League this past fall, I got the sense a lot more players were 'one per' and/or basically didn't want to stop and sign all the time - Reynolds was one of those players who picked his spots and I only got him to sign [on a couple of cards in two separate times] in my last AFL trip.

I like how his autograph 'pops' on the Team USA memorabilia card - the soon to be 24-year old New York Mets minor leaguer had a breakout season this past year and maybe ready to contribute at the MLB level in 2015.

Featured autograph - Brad Ausmus

Ausmus was an 'extra guy' I got during a game at Camelback Ranch in my last Arizona Fall League trip - I actually picked up the 2006 Topps Turkey Red from the card shop near the ballpark [during my first trip to the AFL], but didn't get the card signed until my second AFL trip.

Featured autographs Raisel Iglesias and Nick Howard

Neither guy had any actual cards out yet, so I got them on the same dual blank card from the The Autograph Card - both Cincinnati Reds pitching prospects, Iglesias was a Cuban free agent signed to a MLB contract this past summer and Howard was the 19th overall pick in the 2014 First Player Draft.

Featured autograph - C.J. Edwards

I was able to make a couple of trips to the Arizona Fall League this year and after getting my cards signed by the Chicago Cubs pitching prospect my first trip - I ended up printed up two images for him in my last go-around to the AFL.

I think he was down to 'one per,' but was able to get my prints signed on successive nights [not without a glare from Edwards the second time] - I mumbled that the second was the last print I had for him in case he did remember getting me the night before.

Mark Sappington

I took a picture of Sappington signing and talking with fans last month in Arizona - I actually didn't have anything for him to be signed, but Sappington might have been the most accomodating and personable guy in the fall league.

As is, the one-time Angels minor leaguer was traded for lefty Cesar Ramos and is now Tampa Bay Rays property - it's kind of peculiar that he was traded during the fall league [not in the off-season or even during the regular MiLB season perhaps].

While a player like Sappington is a pro and it's probably not as awkward as it might seem to the casual fan - I'm curious how it goes down where someone has to pull you aside and say you are part of a new organization, particularly when you are a player who might be trying to catch up after a disappointing year.

My cool story bro time with Mike Moustakas

I remember trying to get Moustakas' autograph as a Surprise Rafters player in the Arizona Fall League - I think it was after a day game in Mesa and I remember him storming across the field, maybe with his headphones on headed to the team bus.

I kept calling out to him but he just flat out ignored me - he might have had a bad game, wanted to get to the team bus ASAP and didn't want to sign anything.

One of his teammates caught up with him and kind of gestured towards my direction - but Moustakas was oblivious.

No, I wasn't about to freak out or anything, but I was perplexed - I must have gotten him to eventually sign, but I want to always remember my 'non-moment' with Moustakas, who turned around another miserable season by emerging as a postseason hero for the upstart Kansas City Royals this year.

I haven't had problems with getting things signed by Moustakas when he comes home to So. Cal with the Royals to play the Angels - he pretty good about signing, even though he can be a Sharpie killer [someone who presses hard and deliberate when he signs, so the tip of the pen dulls / wears out real quick] and his autograph can be messy.

Featured autograph - Mike Morin

I'm not too excited about a relief pitcher whose upside maybe an okay MLB closer or a guy who ends up bouncing around for the next 10-15 years - still Morin is only 23 and with a fresh arm out of the Angels bullpen, he may find himself in more prominent situations as the season wears on.