New Baseballs Impacting Triple-A Numbers

2018 Season Recap

In 140 games last season, Rochester hit .227/.304/.346 (.650) with 97 home runs, 24 triples and 193 doubles. For players that made at least 70 appearances with Rochester, Willians Astudillio led the way with a .782 OPS. Kennys Vargas ranked second with a .752 OPS. Vargas was first on the team in home runs (21) and doubles (23). Astudillo ranked second in both of those categories with 12 homers and 17 doubles.

Rochester was below the league average in most hitting categories. International League teams hit .252/.320/.389 (.709). The Red Wings ranked second to last in home runs and last in doubles. However, Rochester struck out the fourth least in the league and ranked in the middle of the pack in walks.

Rochester pitchers tossed over 1200 innings last year. In those appearances, the club averaged a 3.39 ERA with a 1.27 WHIP, an 8.5 SO/9 and a 3.3 BB/9. Stephen Gonsalves started 18 games and posted a 2.96 ERA with a 95 to 55 strike out to walk ratio. Zack Littell’s 15 starts were second on the team and he had a 3.57 ERA while striking out 98 and walking 40.

Red Wings pitchers fared better than hitters when compared to league averages. Rochester’s 3.39 ranked as the best in the league. The club was also one of seven teams to have double-digit shutouts. Only one team allowed fewer hits and Rochester was one of four clubs to allow fewer than 100 home runs.

2019 Season Explosion

With the new baseball this season, International League teams are hitting .263/.342/.441 (.783). That means slugging percentage is up 52 points and OPS is up 74 points. After being well below league average last season, Rochester hitters are near league average this year as they are hitting .260/.334/.439 (.773). Three players have over 90 plate appearances and an OPS of .878 or higher (Jordany Valdespin, Drew Maggi, and Luke Raley).

While Rochester’s hitters have improved, the pitchers have gone the opposite direction. International League pitchers have combined for a 4.88 ERA with a 1.44 WHIP and 9.1 SO/9. Red Wings pitchers have the second worst ERA in the league (5.91) and they have allowed the fourth most home runs (57). Also, the club’s 1.52 WHIP is the third worst total in the league. One positive sign is the club has the second highest SO/9 total in the league (10.4 SO/9).

Lewis Thorpe has started the most games for Rochester this season. In 41 2/3 innings, he has a 6.70 ERA with a 1.37 WHIP with 53 strikeouts and 12 walks. Zack Littell has thrown the most innings for the Red Wings. He has a 4.19 ERA in 43 innings with 45 strikeouts and 16 walks.

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