The Erie SeaWolves will be tested against one of the best prospect laden teams in the minor leagues.
The 2023 minor league season has demonstrated significant growth in the Detroit Tigers’ system. For the second year in a row, multiple prospects have advanced, fulfilling the minor league system’s role of supplying the major league with contributing players. The “Alvarez Effect,” as recently termed by Tom Reisenweber in his column ($) on GoErie.com, refers to Erie SeaWolves manager Gabe Alvarez. Former SeaWolves players like Kerry Carpenter, Garrett Hill, Brendan White and Reese Olson have transitioned to Detroit, playing a role in Erie’s successful 2022 postseason run.
However, one enduring theme in the minor leagues is the imperative of adaptability. This principle holds true for both teams vying for the Eastern League championship. Over the past few months, Erie has seen several core players exit the roster—players who had been pivotal in clinching a first-half title. These departures occurred either through promotions or due to injuries.
Despite these challenges, Alvarez quickly adapted his strategies to play to the strengths of his remaining players. Specifically, this tactical flexibility shone brightly in the Divisional Series against Richmond. Alvarez chose a consistent lineup for both games, prioritizing the deployment of the strongest defense.
Trei Cruz, in his first full season in centerfield, has been the team’s most consistent defensive presence in center. Jace Jung, who was voted the best defensive second baseman in the Midwest League by Baseball America, along with Gage Workman, who is back up from West Michigan, provides a solid up the middle core. The bullpen has been strengthened by the additions of Blake Holub and Tyler Mattison, allowing for Erie to shorten up games as Detroit has to consider starting pitchers reaching their innings limit for the season. But as Alvarez mentioned to his players during their champagne soaked celebration, they still have work to do.
Gabe Alvarez speaks to his squad after Erie advances to the Eastern League championship. pic.twitter.com/KvUDO6LdIm
— Rogelio Castillo (@rogcastbaseball) September 22, 2023
The Rumble Ponies are truly a team of two halves.
Standing in their way is Binghamton. Four players on their roster are among the Top 100 MLB Prospects, including newly acquired Luisangel Acuña, the younger brother of Atlanta Braves superstar Ronald. One of the newest Rumble Ponies players, Jett Williams, just picked up some hardware as he was voted the Mets Minor League Player of the Year. Between three levels in his first full season in pro ball, Williams hit .263/.425/.451/.876 with 13 home runs, 55 RBI, and 45 stolen bases. The 19-year-old is also the first Mets position player drafted out of high school to reach
Double-A in the following calendar year since Gregg Jefferies in 1986.
Another standout player, recently acquired by the Mets at the trade deadline in the Justin Verlander deal, is outfielder Drew Gilbert. Ranked among the Top 100 prospects, Gilbert is familiar with just one SeaWolves pitcher: left-hander Lael Lockhart. The two faced off when Gilbert was a member of the Corpus Christi Hooks; Gilbert hit a two-run home run off Lockhart back on May 21. Since joining the Rumble Ponies on August 4, the left-handed Gilbert has posted impressive stats, hitting .321/.418/.542 with an OPS of .940 in 131 at-bats.
Adding to the complexity for Erie is catcher Kevin Parada, another player on the Top 100 list. Parada brings power from the right side of the plate. Although he’s been dealing with injuries, his backup, Hayden Senger, recently won a Platinum Glove. Clearly, Erie will have their hands full behind the plate.
The Erie SeaWolves offense looks to break through against tough Rumble Ponies pitching staff.
The SeaWolves’ offense will have their workout for them as they face a pitching staff that features several big arms in Christian Scott and Dominic Hamel. Hamel, as Erie SeaWolves broadcasting assistant Sam Lebowitz, noted, has similar numbers as SeaWolves starter Ty Madden. Hamel over his last 21.2 innings of work has not allowed a run.
Game One starter Blade Tidwell has had bouts of inconsistency, but he also boasts impressive swing-and-miss capabilities. Another pitcher to watch is right-hander Paul Gervase, a Sally League All-Star who previously played for the Brooklyn Cyclones. Since his call-up to Binghamton, Gervase has been striking out batters at an impressive rate, notching 20 strikeouts in just 10 innings.
On the coaching side, the Rumble Ponies’ staff features a name that may ring a bell for Tigers fans: pitching coach AJ Sager. Sager, who has held various roles in the Tigers organization and also pitched for Detroit and San Diego in the ’90s, joined the Rumble Ponies after parting ways with his former team in September 2021. Under his guidance, the pitching staff has set a franchise record in shutouts and leads the league in strike rate.
Depending on how the weather goes on Sunday, you can find game one for free streaming on MILB.TV as first pitch is set for 5:35pm.
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Chris Brown 
Jayden Hewitt