Season Ending Reports: Greenville Drive

[Cuzittt]

Overall Record: 64-75 (Last Place Southern... essentially tied with Columbia, Charleston, and Asheville who all had the same number of wins but fewer losses due to fewer overall games played)
1st Half: 25-44 (Last Place Southern/15 GB)
2nd Half: 39-31 (2nd Place Southern/1 GB (played two more than Lexington))

With the two Full-Season A-Ball squads playing, essentially, two separate seasons... it is hard to take a single snapshot of the team. Greenville was awful in the first half of the year at 19 games under .500. Yet, in the second half, they rebounded to eight games over .500. While there was some change of personnel, those changes alone were unlikely to be the catalyst for a better second half... especially considering the caliber of players moving forward to Salem.

To illustrate how taking one narrative and trying to run with it, I looked at the schedule and results and thought that maybe the first half squad was particularly poor at winning one-run games. However, the first half squad went 10-11 in one-run games... while the second half squad was much worse, 2-11. Although, given their winning tendencies, maybe it does shed some light.

So, let's take a look at how the overall squads fit into the tapestry of the League.

Offense:

The Drive offense ended the season smack dab in the middle of the league in terms of Age, at 21.3 years. They led the league in both Batting Average (.262) and OBP (.325) while being in the middle of the league in slugging (.377). The team led the league in hits (1227) and triples (41), were third in doubles (231) and runs (619), but were 2nd to last in home runs (75). The Drive were midpack in walks (366) but third in HBPs (86), were midpack in Ks (1199) but last in sacrifice flies (26).

Pitching:

The Drive ended up with the youngest pitching staff in the South Atlantic League, with an average age of 21.2 years. Although there were some highlights to the pitching staff, the overall staff was closer to the bottom of the league in most categories; finishing 4th from the bottom in ERA (3.95) and R/9 (4.89); although they were closer to the middle in WHIP (1.283). The Drive staff ended up pitching 20 more innings than any other team in the league (having played at least one more game than any other team)... so it is unsurprising that they ended up near the top in hits allowed (1186 - 3rd), runs (651 - 3rd), earned runs (526 - 4th), HRs (120 - 4th), HBPs (97 - 1st). Perhaps more surprisingly... they were not near the top in walks allowed (351 - 9th) or higher up in Ks (1154 - 5th).

On per inning rates, the Drive ended near the bottom in H/9 (8.9) and HR/9 (0.9)... but were just barely off first in walks at 2.6. K/9 sit squarely in the middle of the league at 8.7 as did their K/BB of 3.29.

Of course, it is always important to note that team success (while absolutely fantastic) is less important than the success of individuals. So... let's take a look at the players that hope to fly to Boston in the near future.

 

[Cuzittt]

Given what was stated above with regards to where the offense and pitching stood in context of the league... it may seem a bit off that I want to start off with the pitching. And yet, the Drive sported a starting rotation that was really quite good. Which is where we are going to start.

Denyi Reyes: Named the South Atlantic League Outstanding Pitcher of the Year, Reyes put up an impressive 10-3 record over 21 games with Greenville (18 starts). Denyi ended the season with the best WHIP (0.849) of any starter in the league while his 1.89 ERA ranked 11th in the league – and third among starters with double digit starts. Over 123 2/3 innings, Reyes walked only 13 while whiffing 122. He also gave up only 92 hits... but 11 of them did leave the ballpark. The 21-year-old finished the season with six starts in Salem... going 2-2 with a 2.25 ERA and 1.125 WHIP. Excepting his final start of the season (as he was pulled after only 61 pitches despite giving up no runs), Denyi failed to make it through five innings only twice in 17 starts. His highest pitch count of the season was 96 and he completed his 9 inning, complete game shutout (5/27) on only 92 tosses.

Kutter Crawford: Last year's 16th round draft pick (who tossed exactly one inning last season for Lowell) had a fine full-season debut, going 5-4 with a 2.96 ERA and a 1.228 WHIP over 21 starts for the Drive. In 112 1/3 innings, Crawford whiffed 120 while walking 34. He was also promoted to Salem where he had six starts, putting up a 4.31 ERA and 1.340 WHIP over 31 1/3 innings.

Jhonathan Diaz: The 21-year-old portsider led the league in wins with 11 (against eight losses) over 26 starts in his second go-round in South Carolina. Over 153 innings, Diaz yielded 123 hits and 39 walks (1.059 WHIP) while whiffing 147 (8.6 K/9), a stark improvement in all his numbers from 2017. His ERA of 3.00 feels higher than it should given his solid peripherals. Ended the season with a dominant five game stretch, going 4-0 with a 0.53 ERA and a 0.794 WHIP over 34 innings. Did like to hit the opposition, racking up 16 plunkings and was second on the team with a dozen wild pitches. Had one middling start for Salem in June.

Enmanuel De Jesus: Put up an 8-5 record with a 3.93 ERA and a 1.175 WHIP over 22 games (17 starts) and 112 1/3 innings. Walked 29 and struck out 117... but had dinger difficulties (12). 21-year-old lefty had a couple of stints in Salem during the middle of the season where he struggled (2 starts, 3 appearances, 12 runs allowed in 9 2/3 innings).

Hildemaro Requena: 20-year-old had somewhat of a lost season after a brilliant 2017. Started the season in Salem where he appeared in eight games and put up an abysmal 7.90 ERA and a 1.683 WHIP over 27 1/3 innings. Was demoted in May and saw 14 starts for Greenville which were mostly awful; recording an ERA of 5.66 and a WHIP of 1.686 over 70 innings while yielding 15 homers. Placed on the DL in early August (unknown injury).

Alex Scherff: 2017 5th round pick started his debut (he did not pitch in 2017) season poorly (9.35 ERA/.938 OPS against) in his first four starts of the season before settling down over his next six (2.60 ERA/.630 OPS against). He then gave up seven runs in two innings and went to the DL for two months. After a couple of rehab appearances in the GCL, Scherff finished the season with four pretty good starts, with a 1.50 ERA and a .649 OPS against. His overall stats of 4.98 ERA and 1.400 WHIP over 65 innings are what they are... but his good runs show promise.

Nick Duron: Started six games in the early going and put up a 7.92 ERA and a 1.840 WHIP in 25 innings. Placed on the DL in May and never came off (had two different rehab stints in the GCL). Another lost season for Nick who missed all of 2016 with injury.

 

[Cuzittt]

Angel Padron: Pitched largely in long relief during the season before transitioning to the starting rotation for nine starts at the end of the season. Put up 3.99 ERA with a WHIP of 1.322 over a career high 103 2/3 innings. Walked 38 and struck out 95 while throwing a team high 14 pitches to the backstop. Had better overall numbers (ERA/WHIP/K9/BB9) in a relief role but with almost exactly the same OPS against.

Marcos Lantigua: In his fifth professional season, showed little improvement in his prospects. Tossed 69 1/3 innings in relief and put up a 4.28 ERA with a 1.457 WHIP. Struck out only 42 (5.5 K/9) while giving up eight homers. According to Baseball-Reference, Marcos was born in Boston.

Devon Fisher: In his third season as a pitcher (after being converted from catcher after his second professional season), Fisher continues to show improvement. Recorded a 3.57 ERA and a 1.293 WHIP over 40 appearances (58 innings) with 50 Ks. Still has a wild side, walking 28, hitting 12, and throwing six wild pitches. Was the unlucky recipient of eight losses (three via the ghost runner rules) but did pick up eight saves. Did not allow an earned run in 10 appearances from 5/22-6/28... and still picked up two losses.

Juan Florentino: Struggled mightily in his fourth season, putting up a 5.63 ERA and 1.380 WHIP over 54 1/3 innings in 33 relief appearances. After giving up only two homers in his first three seasons, made up for lost time by giving up 10 this season. Did strike out 52 (K/9 - 8.6).

Dominic LoBrutto: Lefty reliever out of FIU was OK overall in his second season, with a 3-0 record and a 3.73 ERA. Dropped his WHIP to 1.243 (from 1.541) due to a dramatic decrease in walks (13 in 50 2/3 innings). Put up the best K/9 on the team (12 or more innings pitched) at 11.4 with 64 Ks. Did not give up an earned run in his final 12 appearances (21 innings) - giving up only 10 hits and four walks while whiffing 28.

Lukas Young: Young did very little in his first full season, going 1-4 with seven saves and a 6.12 ERA over 32 appearances (55 innings). Young walked 22 and whiffed 48.

Durin O'Linger: The 24-year-old righty bounced around spending the early part of the season mostly with Salem and had a spot start for Portland, before settling in with Greenville for the second half of the year. Played a swing role with four starts and 10 multi-inning relief appearances (shortest stint 2 1/3 innings). Ended with a 4-1 record and a 2.59 ERA for the Drive with a 1.356 WHIP. Struck out 50 in 48 2/3 innings for the Drive, 61 in 63 1/3 innings overall.

Zach Schellenger: Was on the DL until July and spent a month in the GCL on rehab (1 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 8 K in six innings). Continued that dominance in his first seven appearances for Greenville (8 1/3 innings, 0 R, 4 H, 1 BB, 13 Ks) before giving up five runs (2 earned) in his final two appearances (3 H, 2 BB, 4 K, 2 IP).

Brendan Nail: Five relief appearances in April where he struck out 13 in 7 2/3 innings... then DLed for the rest of the season.

 

[Cuzittt]

Offense:

Tanner Nishioka: 2017 9th round draft pick and future Brain Doctor had a very exciting year on the baseball diamond, batting .322/.401/.512 with 20 doubles (team leader) and 11 dingers (2nd on the team) over 84 games for the Drive. Had two brief appearances with Portland, going 3-for-10 with two doubles in three games.

Garrett Benge: Started his second season back in Lowell but pounded his way out after 10 games (.886 OPS). Followed that up with a .327/.466/.452 stint with the Drive over 31 games (interrupted with a month on the DL); walking 27 times while having only 18 whiffs.

Zach Sterry: Spent the month of June on the DL. Put up a line of .291/.370/.424 with eight doubles and five homers in 56 games. Averaged a strikeout per game.

Victor Acosta: Batted .285/.323/.458 with 20 doubles, 3 triples, and eight homers over 75 games for Greenville before being promoted to Salem in the middle of July. Saw action in 30 games for the Red Sox with a .253/.327/.352 line. Struck out only 43 times in 418 plate appearances.

Lorenzo Cedrola: Spent 50 games in Greenville batting .318/.350/.427 with 17 doubles before being traded to the Reds for bonus pool space.

Marino Campana: Was second on the team with 111 games played. Batted .246/.309/.440 with 19 doubles and a team high seven triples and 16 homers. Manny-esque adventure in the outfield with nine errors and 15 assists. Was second on the team with 120 Ks.

Ryan Fitzgerald: Former independent leaguer put up a useful line of .274/.337/.396 with nine doubles, three triples, and eight homers in 80 games; not bad numbers for a shortstop. Had a tremendous July (.345/.403/.566 with 12 extra-base hits). Did not hit a homer after July 30th.

Pedro Castellanos: Joined Acosta and Nishioka at the 20 double plateu, in Pedro's case in 88 games played. Put up a line of .302/.334/.387 with three triples and a homer.

Charlie Madden: Spent more time on the DL this year than off of it. Caught 32 games for Greenville (in 33 games played), batting .252/.347/.359 with five doubles and two bombs. Went 0-for-4 in one game in Portland.

Jordan Wren: Started the season in Salem where he put up a pretty decent line over 15 games (.318/.444/.432). Was not as good in his 53 games in Greenville after his demotion, hitting .232/.311/.351 with eight doubles, three triples, and three homers.

Frankie Rios: Infielder/Utility Man saw action in 79 games for the Drive, batting .226/.319/.311 with 16 doubles. Saw action in just 24 games in July-August after being an everyday starter the first three months.

Kervin Suarez: The 19-year-old attempted to be Mookie Betts on the defensive end (46 games at 2nd, 71 games in CF with 10 assists) but isn't quite there on the offensive side of the ball... although still intriguing. The switchhitter batted just .234/.282/.340 but with 19 doubles, five triples, and seven homers. Led the team with 119 games played, 25 stolen bases, and 190 Ks. Was a considerably better hitter from the left-side (.726 OPS / 32 Ks in 107 PA) than the right (.595 OPS / 146 K in 404 PA) but with less power.

Everlouis Lozada: Another 19-year-old, Lozada batted just .239/.301/.300 in 97 games while seeing action at 2nd, 3rd, and SS. Batted .298 in a 34 game stretch from July 1-August 29.

Isaias Lucena: Catcher saw action in Salem and Portland as well as Greenville this season. In 49 games for the Drive, batted .229/.302/.300 with six doubles. Tossed out 40% of runners attempting to steal in Greenville as well as 1/3rd of runners in eight games in Portland.

Jagger Rusconi: Still hits like Mick (.219/.257/.326 with 11 doubles, two triples, and 3 dingers across 65 games in Salem/Greenville/GCL). Still injury prone, spending three months on the DL this season... and still saw more games than in any of his first three seasons.

Samuel Miranda: Primary catcher for the Drive, batted .212/.266/.290 with nine doubles and two bombs in 58 games. Knocked down 27 of 57 runners trying to steal.

 

[mwonow]

Thanks, Cuz - this is wonderful!

 

[LogansDad]

Seriously, Cuzittt, I know we do this every year, but thanks again. You are one of the best parts of this web site, and it amazes me how much high quality stuff you put out every single season.

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

You know you're performing a Mitzvah with these.

 

[Koufax]

Just a fantastic write-up. I had never heard of these guys, but Tanner Nishioka is now on my radar. Thanks again for all you do.