West Michigan Whitecaps Notebook
Take a look at the numbers for the West Michigan Whitecaps this season and it’s easy to see why the team has found the success they have.
While second-year manager Tony Cappuccilli won’t argue with what it says on paper, the deeper the team goes into the season, the more Cappuccilli can see how the team dynamics go much deeper than the statistics.
Looking back over a headline-grabbing series while visiting the Dayton Dragons, it was a combination of baseball IQ, natural skill and a team that refuses to quit on one another.
“What struck me the most was our ability to win games in different ways,” Cappuccilli said. “We had an extra inning game, a couple games we were able to open up the score a little, and the game we came from behind in the ninth inning. In that game Josue will obviously get the recognition for the grand slam, but we had two quick outs in the ninth and Archer Brookman was down 0-2 and was able to work a walk. Then Seth (Stephenson) hit a ground ball to third that the third baseman wasn’t able to come up with, knowing Seth is getting down the line well, then Kevin (McGonigle) drew a four-pitch walk to set up Briceño.
“It’s not just the big moments that we all get excited for, it’s the at-bats that the guys put together to set up the big swing we all post on social media,” Cappuccilli said. “I think that’s just the identity of this group. They’ll fight like crazy for one another.”
Over six games against the Dragons, West Michigan scored an unprecedented 62 runs, with 28 extra-base hits, including 11 home runs.
GAME 1 – West Michigan: 12, Dayton: 7
Straight out of the gate, the West Michigan offense made it clear they had come to play. As he’s become so well-known for doing throughout the first half of the season, Josue Briceño punched his eighth home run of the season, alongside a double from Kevin McGonigle at the top of the first inning. McGonigle joined Austin Murr, John Peck and Andrew Jenkins with posting a multi-hit night, with Jenkins finishing 4-for-4 to mark the third four-hit game of his career and his first since 2023. Despite a rocky start for West Michigan starter Rayner Castillo, Trevin Michael and Micah Ashman combined for four scoreless on the back half of the night and the West Michigan offense handled the rest.
Kevin McGonigle smokes another double into the right corner. pic.twitter.com/2QKG7X36UE
— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) May 27, 2025
GAME 2 – West Michigan: 5, Dayton: 4
If you’ve followed the Whitecaps at all this season, you know that extra innings has become a routine thing this season. Because why not raise our blood pressure a little more? Game two proved to be a little more of a fight for the Whitecaps than the previous night. With West Michigan taking a 2-0 lead into the third inning, Dayton answered back with four runs in the third and fourth innings. The seesaw continued with the Whitecaps adding a pair over the fifth and sixth and a lack of offense from either side beyond that carried the night into the 10th inning. For West Michigan, it was Izaac Pacheco who stepped up once again in a big moment, knocking an RBI single to score John Peck and give the Whitecaps their second straight win. West Michigan reliever Carlos Lequerica, who has not allowed an earned run since May 2 picked up another win in relief to move to 5-0 on the year.
Izaac Pacheco singles through the middle to put the Whitecaps up 5-4 in the 10th inning. pic.twitter.com/UnNhPFrTw5
— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) May 29, 2025
GAME 3 – West Michigan: 14, Dayton: 1
West Michigan generated an absolute gem against the Dragons in game three. On the mound, Whitecaps starter Max Alba combined with reliever Kenny Serwa for nine innings of one-run ball, striking out nine without a walk allowed. At the plate, Josue Briceño put on a masterclass. Finishing 4-for-4 with four runs scored and five RBI, Briceño knocked his seventh double of the season and added three…yes, you read that correctly, three home runs against the Dayton pitching staff. Behind Briceño, Peyton Graham, who has been on a steady offensive assent, finished 3-for-5 with his second home run of the season, two runs scored and four RBI. West Michigan combined for five individual multi-hit games, 16 hits and 14 runs scored in their third straight win.
Goodness gracious, Josue Briceño AGAIN. He crushes his 3rd homer of the night to deep right center. And he has a double, too. Spectacular game. pic.twitter.com/QH9mSzMKU0
— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) May 30, 2025
GAME 4 – West Michigan: 13, Dayton: 2
Game four was another rehab night for the Whitecaps, welcoming Major League arm Alex Cobb for a rehab start with West Michigan. Cobb worked two scoreless frames, allowing one hit and striking out three without a walk. Entering the night, West Michigan had already booked eight games with 10 or more runs scored this season. Thanks to a surge from Seth Stephenson and Kevin McGonigle, the West Michigan offense was once again out to ruin the night of the hosting Dragons. McGonigle punched his first home run of the season, adding a double to finish 4-for-5 with three runs scored and four RBI. Stephenson finished 3-for-6 with two runs scored, two RBI and his sixth double of the season. Peyton Graham cranked his second consecutive home run, his third overall on the year. Izaac Pacheco went deep for the fourth time this season and not one to miss out on the action, Max Clark booked his ninth stolen base for the Whitecaps. 16 hits combined for the second consecutive night in a row for the ‘Caps sealed their fourth straight win against the Dragons.
Peyton Graham with another monster home run, this one just left of dead center. It’s his 3rd home run of the season, and they’ve all come in his past 7 games. pic.twitter.com/5TfMtwT7lZ
— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) May 30, 2025
GAME 5 – West Michigan: 7, Dayton: 4
While the West Michigan offense once again put on a display in game five, it was the Whitecaps bullpen who also found a way to offer their contribution in support of ‘Caps starter Colin Fields. With Fields allowing three earned runs and striking out six over 3 ⅓ frames for West Michigan, the bullpen came in with five combined innings of one-run ball to hold the Dragons offense at bay. For the ‘Caps, it was Luke Gold who had a night at the plate, finishing 3-for-4 with his ninth double of the year and a run scored. Behind Gold, Seth Stephenson and Kevin McGonigle once again booked two-hit nights and right on schedule, Josue Briceño couldn’t resist adding one more home run, a grand slam, marking his fifth of the series and 12th on the year overall. Micah Ashman picked up his third win of the year out of the bullpen for West Michigan, while Trevin Michael secured his third save of the season.
Josue Briceño hits a GRAND SLAM with two outs in the 9th and the Whitecaps take a 7-4 lead. They were down to their final out… pic.twitter.com/JIaeyjmQdR
— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) June 1, 2025
GAME 6 – West Michigan: 11, Dayton: 3
If there was any lingering doubt to whether Kevin McGonigle was back to fighting form, this series shut it down quickly. In the series finale, the 20-year-old finished the day at 3-for-4 with his eighth double of the year, two runs scored and three RBI. Bennett Lee also submitted a three-hit day with his fourth double on the year and a trio of runs scored. Seth Stephenson, who has been focusing less on hitting home runs is, in turn hitting more home runs…because, math…and added his fifth home run of the season. On the hill for West Michigan, 20-year-old starter Rayner Castillo tossed a scoreless, four-frame beauty, walking one and striking out two without allowing a hit. Out of the pen, it was the rehabbing righthander Tyler Mattison who picked up the win, while securing the series sweep for West Michigan.
Seth Stephenson with a 2-run bomb to deep left center to make it a 4-0 Whitecaps lead. It’s his 5th home run of the season. pic.twitter.com/TXoLkgFMB5
— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) June 1, 2025
Up Next: Tonight, the Whitecaps welcome the Lake County Captains to LMCU Ballpark for a six-game home stand before going back out on the road next week to face the Lansing Lugnuts.
Pitcher of the Week: LHP Micah Ashman
While growing pains in the Midwest League are a very common occurrence, 6’7 lefty Micah Ashman hasn’t appeared to have gotten the memo. In his first year with West Michigan, the 22-year-old has only allowed a pair of earned runs since his debut on April 4, giving the 2024 draft pick an 0.75 ERA over 24 innings of work. Ashman’s last earned run allowed came on May 17, his only earned run allowed in the month of May.
Player of the Week: INF/C Josue Briceño
Let’s be honest. The more Josue Briceño hits, the less creative we’re able to be, because simply put, we’re running out of ways to describe his offensive abilities. In addition to landing on the Baseball America Prospect Hot Sheet and MLB Pipeline Prospect Team of the Week, the 20-year-old was also named Midwest League Player of the Week, following a video-game-style of offensive production against the Dayton Dragons. Over six games, Briceño posted six hits, eight runs, a double, five home runs (including a grand slam) and 12 RBI.
Whitecap to Watch: INF John Peck
One of the more unassuming members of the West Michigan roster, John Peck’s contribution on both sides of the ball this season have not gone unnoticed. “His game talks a lot more than he does,” one teammate joked. In each of his five starts against the Dragons, the Pepperdine alum posted five consecutive multi-hit games, finishing the series with 10 hits, seven runs, two doubles, five RBI and three stolen bases.
Week Nine Notes:
OF Brett Callahan, who suffered a right quad strain while base running during a game on 5/16 is completing rehab daily.
SS Jack Penney, who suffered a left shoulder subluxation, while fielding during a game on 5/22 is completing rehab daily.
RHP Eric Silva, who suffered a right shoulder strain is playing catch 4x per week, under the observation of the organization.
OF Cole Turney, who suffered a concussion currently remains in the MLB concussion protocol.
Colin Arthur 
Chris Brown 
Joe Rampe