5 SERIES SEASONFROMMEMORABLEPREVIEWMOMENTSAMEMORABLE8 LEADING OFF BY THE NUMBER19
With an opportunity to defend their crown, the Charleston RiverDogs return to Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park to face the Myrtle Beach Pelicans for the Carolina League South Division Championship and a spot in the championship series.
Myrtle Beach, an affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, are led by Buddy Bailey. They edged the RiverDogs by one game for the south division crown in the first half of the sea son. The second half has been a different story, though. They come into this playoff series with a 78-53 overall record (31-34 in the second half). For the Pelicans, 2021 second round pick James Triantos is one of the most highly regarded prospects in the Cubs farm system at the third base position. As the series begins, his 124 hits on the season are the most in the Carolina League. Outfielder, Kevin Alcantara, the number four prospect in the Cubs organization, is another player to watch. He leads the team with 15 home runs as well as 85 RBI, which is also the most in the Carolina League. On the mound, they are led by RHP Tyler Santana, who is one of the best pitchers in the Carolina League with an 11-1 record and 2.28 ERA.
After clinching a playoff spot early in the Columbia series last week, the Charleston RiverDogs, an affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays, did not take their foot off of the pedal, winning three of their final four games. Offensively, the RiverDogs lead the Carolina League with a .254 team batting average. Recently, they have been led by Shane Sa saki, the Player of the Month in August. The 2019 third-round pick out of Hawaii is a heavy leader in two categories; his .324 batting average is far and above the best in the league and his .497 slugging percentage also leads the league. On the mound, there are a number of guys that have helped the RiverDogs this season. LHP Anto nio Jimenez has been a consistent starter in the RiverDogs rotation with a 3.74 ERA, third best in the Carolina League. Led by Blake Butera, the best team in minor league baseball is trying to finish their memorable season with another title.
Austin Vernon was among the best in the Carolina League during his time in Charleston. In 15 appear ances for the RiverDogs this season, he was 9-1 with a 1.69 ERA. In the month of May, he was flawless. Through 20.1 innings pitched across five appearances, he was 4-0 with a 0.44 ERA and at one time, led the minor leagues in strikeouts, earning him Carolina League Player of the Month.
#4:Central.July
Vernon gave up just one run the entire month, which came against the Delmarva Shorebirds on May 27. Though he gave up the run, do not let that fool you. That day, he was as dominant as ever. He went 5.0 in nings, giving up the one run on four hits and striking out a season-high 11 batters.
#3: July 30; Late-Inning Magic in the Holy City
After a clean inning from Brayden Theriot, the RiverDogs were threatening again in the bottom of the
#5: Vernon’s Dominant Month of May
After losing their first series of the season the week prior, the RiverDogs came back home to host the Augusta GreenJackets for their first home game on Fourth of July since Things2018.could
Though his time in Charleston was short, Vernon showed the Tampa Bay Rays organization why they made the right decision drafting him in the 10th round of the 2021 MLB Draft out of North Carolina
Down 7-4 with the bases loaded, Oneill Manzeuta came up to the plate. He got a fastball and smoked a fly ball off of the foul pole in left field to give the RiverDogs an 8-7 lead. The largest crowd of the season at 6, 415 went crazy as the RiverDogs completed the comeback. The lead expanded to 11-7, as the RiverDogs sent 12 men to the plate and scored 10 runs on six hits. They needed all 11 of those runs because the GreenJackets would not go away. They scored three runs in the final two innings and left the bases loaded in the ninth, giving the RiverDogs the narrow 11-10 victory.
Two batters later, down to his last strike, Shane Sasaki came through with an RBI single to keep the game going for Carson Williams. Williams, who was also down to his last strike, lined a ball into the gap and tied the game with an RBI triple to send it to extra innings.
not have started out any worse for River Dogs as the GreenJackets immediately jumped out to a 7-0 lead, scoring in each of the first four innings. The RiverDogs could not get anything going until the bottom of the seventh inning.
This season has been a special one for the defending champion Charleston RiverDogs. They have the best record in Minor League Baseball and have earned a spot in the playoffs for a second straight season.. There are numerous highlights from this year that fans can choose from, but here is a look at the top mo ments from the 2022 RiverDogs.
Behind 7-3 in the bottom of the ninth inning against the Down East Wood Ducks, the RiverDogs pulled off another miraculous comeback. With one out and men at second and third, Alejandro Pie doubled to narrow the Wood Duck lead to two.
4; Independence Day Miracle
This win was the largest come from behind win for the RiverDogs this season and started a run that has earned them the best record in all of Minor League Baseball.
For most of this game, the RiverDogs once again found themselves down entering the final innings, but like most of this season, this team did not stop fighting.
With Luis Leon coming to the plate, the Fireflies made a pitching change. On the first pitch after the change, Leon sent Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park into a frenzy with a walk-off two-run home run to keep the RiverDogs alive in the playoff race.
“I am just looking for a fastball again,” said Piper. “With two strikes, I am looking for something up and hard. He gave me that fastball and I did what I could with it to get the job done.”
tenth inning. With Spikes at second, Kenny Piper came to the plate with a walk-off in mind.
He got the fastball on 0-2 and drilled it into right field just over the out-stretched arm of the right fielder to give the RiverDogs the walk-off victory.
#2: June 23; Leon Lifts the RiverDogs to Victory
Ahead 6-4 in the bottom of the ninth inning, the RiverDogs were one out away from victory, when the Fireflies tied the game with a two-run home run.
With a first half playoff berth on the line, the RiverDogs found themselves behind 2-0 entering the bot tom of the ninth inning against the Columbia Fireflies.
#1: September 7: Ticket Punched Via Long Ball
After the first two men struck out to begin the inning, the RiverDogs started a rally, as Bobby Seymour lined a double into the gap. Then, down to his last strike, Shane Sasaki lined a single into center field to cut the Firefly lead to 2-1.
Roel Garcia was fantastic on the mound, pitching the final 2.1 innings. He picked up the win, giving up just one hit and striking out three.
Though the RiverDogs were unable to clinch a playoff berth that night, Leon’s home run will be remembered by many RiverDogs fans in attendance.
After a game one victory against the Columbia Fireflies, the RiverDogs needed just one win to clinch a second half championship and a chance to play Myrtle Beach in the playoffs. While it took extra in nings to do so, the RiverDogs got it done with three home runs in the 11th inning to win 11-7.
After both teams exchanged runs in the 10th inning, the RiverDogs got some help. Junior Caminero launched a two-run home run of his own to give the RiverDogs the lead. After that, Willy Vasquez and Brock Jones followed that up with solo home runs, giving the RiverDogs the win and a chance to defend their crown.
The regular season was one to remember for the RiverDogs, who look to make more memories in the 2022 season. The season starts over on Tuesday night, as the Myrtle Beach Pelicans look to upset the RiverDogs and earn a spot in the championship series.
10 Ayala Jr., Alex L L 6'2 205 Chiriqui, Panama 11/26/01 FCL Rays
Birthdate 2021 Club(s)
30
R
33 Cuevas, Jonny R R 6'2 200 Indio, CA 11/20/00 FCL Rays
No. Catchers (4) B T Ht Wt Birthplace Birthdate 2021 Club(s) College Acquired 2 Keegan, Dominic R R 6'0 210 Methuen, MA 08/01/00 Vanderbilt University Vanderbilt
5 Jones, Brock L L 6'0 197 Fresno, CA 03/28/21 Stanford
6'4 245
25 Galue, Over R R 6'2 227 Santa Barbara, VEN 07/31/01 FCL Rays None Int. FA/2017
No. Outfielders (4) B T Ht Wt Birthplace Birthdate 2021
22 Fields, Kamron R R 6'3 202 Dallas, TX 09/24/98 FCL Rays Texas Southern 20th/2021
No. Pitchers (15)
R
21 Goss, JJ R R 6'3 202 Houston, TX 12/25/00 FCL Rays None CBA/2019
38 Curet, Yoniel R R 6'2 190 San Pedro de Macoris, DR 11/03/02 DSL Rays None Int. FA/2019
24 Cortorreal, Aneudy R R 6'3 260 Santo Domingo, DR 12/13/99 FCL Rays
College Acquired 1 Castellanos, Daiwer L R 5'11 155 Bejuma, VEN 08/16/00 FCL Rays
Florida Southwestern State 9th/2021
Acquired
College
29
16 Meza, Julio R R 6'0 165 Barquisimeto, VEN 05/04/99 FCL Rays
28 Perry, Nathan L R 6'2 207 Spencer, VA 07/07/99 Fayetteville (Astros) None 5th/2017 35 Piper, Kenny R R 6'0 190 Florissant, MO 07/12/98 FCL Rays Columbia College 18th/2021 No. Infielders (6) B T Ht Wt Birthplace Birthdate 2021 Club(s) College Acquired 37 Caminero, Junior R R 5'11 155 Santo Domingo, DR 07/05/03 DSL Cleveland None Int. FA/2019 19 Pie, Alejandro R R 6'4 175 La Romana, DR 01/31/02 FCL Rays None Int. FA/2018 12 Robertson, Blake L R 6'5 200 San Antonio, TX 05/19/01 Cowley College Oklahoma 7th/2022 9 Spikes, Ryan R R 5'9 198 Conyers, GA 03/13/03 FCL Rays None 3rd/2021 13 Vasquez, Willy R R 6'2 201 Santo Domingo, DR 09/06/01 FCL Rays None Int. FA/2019 7 Williams, Carson R R 6'2 185 San Diego, CA 06/25/03 FCL Rays None
34
20
6'1 235
Southern Nevada 12th/2021
B T Ht Wt Birthplace
L
17 Manzueta, Oneill R R 5'11 221 Santo Domingo, DR 02/07/01 FCL Rays None Int. FA/2018 6 Sasaki, Shane R R 6'0 168 Honolulu, HI 07/01/00 FCL Rays None 3rd/2019 No. Injured List (4) B T Ht Wt Birthplace Birthdate 2021 Club(s) College Acquired 32 Allen, Logan R R 5'10 190 Bryant, AR 08/13/98 FCL Rays Arkansas-Fort Smith 14th/2019 26 Gaston, Sandy R R 6'3 230 Matanzas, Cuba 12/16/01 FCL Rays/Charleston None Int. FA/2018 5 Schnell, Nick L R 6'3 180 Indianapolis, IN 03/27/98 Charleston None 1st/2018 31 Seymour, Bobby L R 6'4 275 Harvey, IL 10/07/98 FCL Rays Wake Forest 13th/2021 August 30 Charleston RiverDogs 2022 Roster Single-A Affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays 3 • Blake Butera Manager 18 • R.C. Lichtenstein Pitching Coach 4 • Perry Roth Hitting Coach 36 • Frank Jagoda Bench Coach Ruben Santiago Athletic Trainer Mia Salvemini Strength and Conditioning Coach Steve Berhalter Clubhouse Manager Charleston RiverDogs 360 Fishburne St. • Charleston, SC 29403 Phone: 843.723.7241 • Fax: 843 723 2641 Email: admin@riverdogs.com Pronunciation Guide Junior Caminero (COM in air oh) Daiwer Castellanos (die were) Aneudy Cortorreal (ahn YOO dee cort OH ree ahl) Yoniel Curet (yuh knee EL KOO ret) Kamron Fields (Cameron) Over Galue (oh VAIR GAHL oo way) Sandy Gaston (SAHN dee GAH stone) R.C. Lichtenstein (lick tin stine) Oneill Manzueta (OH kneel MAHN zway tuh) Julio Meza (MEZZ uh) Alejandro Pie (Pee ay)
None Int. FA/2018
6'2 205
27 Bitsko, Nick R R 6'4 225 Doylestown, PA 06/16/02 DNP - Injury None 1st/2020
23 Harney, Sean L R 6'0 190 Boston, MA 07/10/98 Kentucky Kentucky 8th/2022 Jimenez, Antonio L 5'10 158 San Pedro de Macoris, DR 05/06/01 FCL Rays/Charleston None Int. FA/2018 Snyder, Jack R R Chicago, IL 08/04/98 Schaumburg (Independent) Western Carolina UDFA/2022 Whittle, Daiveyon R Fresno, CA 11/11/99 DNP - Injury Fresno City College 23rd/2018 Wilcox, Cole R Chattanooga, TN 07/14/99 Charleston Georgia 3rd/2020 None Int. FA/2021 4th/2022 None Int. FA/2017 1st/2021 Club(s) None Int. FA/2018 Stanford 2nd/2022
11 William, Junior R R 6'5 190 San Pedro de Macoris, DR 03/06/00 DSL Rays
39 Garcia, Roel R R 6'4 245 Clear Lake, TX 11/21/98 Rice University Rice 14th/2022
20
29 Saul Gonzalez R R 6’7 235 Cidra, Puerto Rico
22
No. PITCHERS (16) B T HT WT BIRTHPLACE
21 INT
34 Angel Gonzalez R R 6’2 175 Manati, Puerto Rico
16 Angel Hernandez L L 6’2 180 Ciudad
57 Grant Kipp R R 6’6 220 Dallas, TX
22
41 Anthony Mendez R R 6’1 190 Villa Gonzalez, D.R.
BIRTHDATE 11/15/2001 FA/2021 03/22/2001 FA/2019 08/26/2002 INT FA/2020 12/28/1999 Trade/2022 Bolivar, D.R. 05/06/2000 INT FA/2020 08/21/1999 7th/2022 11/11/1999 NDFA/2022 06/30/2000 10th/2022 08/04/2002 INT FA/2019 D.R. 08/18/1999 INT FA/2019
22
22
19 Nick Hull R R 6’0 205 Edmonds, WA
23
53 Brody McCullough R R 6’4 205 Lexington, NC
23
20
24 Gregori Montano R R 5’11 175 La Vega,
AGE ACQUIRED 13 Michael Arias R R 6’0 155 Santo Domingo, D.R.
25 Yovanny Cabrera R R 6’2 180 Santiago, D.R.
52 Johzan Oquendo R R 6’2’ 180 Santruce, Puerto Rico 01/06/2001 21 16th/2019 35 Luis Rodriguez L L 6’1 190 Veracruz, Mexico 09/10/1999 22 INT FA/2017 17 Tyler Santana R R 6’1 205 Miami, FL 05/13/1998 24 NDFA/2021 51 Frankie Scalzo R R 6’3 185 San Diego, CA 11/25/1999 22 14th/2021 48 Didier Vargas R L 6’0 175 San Miguelito, Panama 03/13/1999 23 INT FA/2016 55 Chase Watkins L L 6’4 215 Watsonville, CA 10/04/1999 24 9th/2021 No. INFIELDERS (7) B T HT WT BIRTHPLACE BIRTHDATE AGE ACQUIRED 40 Josue Huma S R 6’1 175 San Francisco de Macoris, D.R. 03/17/2000 22 INT FA/2016 38 Juan Mora R R 5’9 176 Sinaloa, Mexico 09/30/1999 22 INT FA/2018 3 Reginald Preciado S R 6’4 185 Boqueron, Panama 05/16/2003 19 Trade/2020 20 Pedro Ramirez S R 5’9 165 Temblador, Venezuela 04/01/2004 18 INT FA/2021 15 Liam Spence R R 6’1 190 Victoria, Australia 04/09/1998 24 5th/2021 45 Felix Stevens R R 6’4 225 Havana, Cuba 07/30/1999 23 INT FA/2019 7 James Triantos R R 6’1 195 Fairfax, VA 01/29/2003 19 2nd/2021 No. OUTFIELDERS (4) B T HT WT BIRTHPLACE BIRTHDATE AGE ACQUIRED 12 Kevin Alcantara R R 6’6 188 Santo Domingo, D.R. 07/12/2002 20 Trade/2021 39 Parker Chavers L R 5’11 185 Montgomery, AL 07/25/1998 24 7th/2021 5 Ezequiel Pagan L R 6’1 163 Guayanilla, Puerto Rico 08/07/2000 22 13th/2018 22 Jacob Wetzel L L 5’11 215 Walkersville, MD 03/26/2000 22 NDFA/2020 No. COACHES & STAFF POSITION BIRTHPLACE YRS w/ PELICANS 46 Buddy Bailey Manager Norristown, PA 5th season 32 Clayton Mortensen Pitching Coach Rexburg, ID 2nd season 44 Steven Pollakov Hitting Coach Chicago, IL 1st season 27 Jovanny Rosario Bench Coach Santo Domingo, D.R. 1st season 11 Andrew Gold Development Coach 1st season Nick Roberts Athletic Trainer 1st season Mark Weisman Strength Coach 1st season Injured List 28 Andricson Salva 30dor Sam Thoresen 56 Koen Moreno Temporarily Inactive List Development List 4 Malcom Quintero Latest Transactions - RHP Tyler Santana activated from the IL (9/12) - RHP Oliver Roque removed from roster -(9/12)RHPKoen Moreno placed on IL (9/7) - RHP Gregori Montano activated from Develop ment List (9/7) - OF Jacob Wetzel acti vated from IL (9/4) - RHP Oliver Roque add ed to the roster (9/4) - RHP Mathew Peters assigned to ACL (8/30) Official as of September 13, 2022 % - MLB rehab assignment & - MiLB rehab assignment No. CATCHERS (3) B T HT WT BIRTHPLACE BIRTHDATE AGE ACQUIRED 9 Moises Ballesteros L R 5’10 195 Los Teques, Venezuela 11/08/2003 18 INT FA/2021 6 Ethan Hearn L R 5’10 200 Mobile, AL 08/31/2000 21 6th/2019 21 Haydn McGeary R R 6’5 235 Phoenix, AZ 10/09/1999 22 15th/2022 Pronunciation Guide #9 buy-es-STER-os #40 HO-sway OO-mah #3 preh-see-AH-doe #12 al-CAHN-tah-rah #52 JO-zahn oh-KEN-doe #4 kin-TEAR-oh #16 AHN-hell #56 KO-en #5 uh-ZEE-kee-uhl #24 greg-OR-ee mon-TAHN-yo #7 tree-AHN-tos #34 AHN-hell Roster and Transactions sponsored by
20
Stop by any office location today to meet our team or visit us online at www.fnb-online.com. MEMBER FDIC GET HOMEADVANTAGETHEFIELD *Among Mid-Atlantic regional banks in S&P Global Market Intelligence’s “2021 US Mobile Banking Market Report.”
First National Bank is the home team for all your financial needs. We offer an all-star lineup of checking accounts, competitive rates, conve nient hours and locations and our top-rated* Mobile Banking app.
now
And you can experience the power of shopping and buying bank products and services by visiting FNB’s eStore!
online
SERVE YOUR WAY
Hometown: Fresno, CA College: Acquired:StanfordSelected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the second round (65th overall) of the 2022 Major League Baseball Draft
Jones was added to the Charleston RiverDogs roster on August 23 of this year. Since then, the 21-year old from California has provided the RiverDogs with pop in the order as well a sure glove in the outfield. Prior to being selected by the Rays in this year’s MLB Draft, Jones was a two-sport athlete at Stanford, playing both baseball and football. As a member of the Cardinal baseball team, Jones was a two-time All-American in both 2021 and 2022. In 2021, he started all 56 regular season games for the Cardinal and led the Pac-12 in both home runs with 18 and RBI with 62 and helped lead his team to the College World Series. In 2022, he hit .324 with 21 home runs and 55 driven in and once again, led the Cardinal to a College World Series appearance. After signing with the Rays, Jones reported to the FCL, where in six games, he hit .211 and scored four runs. In a short amount of time with the RiverDogs, Jones has let his presence be known, in just 13 games, he is hitting .286 with four home runs and 12 RBI, highlighted by a two-home run game against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans back on September 3. If the RiverDogs want to repeat as champions, the outfielder from California will need to have a big series.
In the Air National Guard, you get to serve wherever you call home in a role that best suits you, all while supporting communities both locally and globally.
GET TO BROCKKNOWJONES
SUMMERVILLE • 9730 DORCHESTER RD | GOOSE CREEK • 125 PLANTATION N BLVD YOUR HOME FOR SPORTS FOOD • DRINKS • TVS • DAILY CHARLESTONSPORTSPUB.COMSPECIALS HWYMAYBANK1989•ISLANDJAMES
WEST ASHLEY • 1124 SAM RITTENBERG BLVD | MT PLEASANT • 1909 N HWY 17
.675120
Winning percentage the RiverDogs have posted since becoming a Tampa Bay Rays affiliate prior to the 2021 season. That percentage is the best in Minor League Baseball during the span. Prior to becoming a Rays affiliate, the team’s all-time record, dating back to 1980, was 100 games under .500. That number has been reduced to 12 games under .500 by virtue of their recent success.
88 PROUD SPONSOR Available Ford Accessories shown. Bronco® Sport Badlands™ shown. Limited availability. See dealer for available inventory stock. ©2022 Ford Motor Company. Bronco and related marks are trademarks of Ford Motor Company or its a liates. All rights reserved.
2022 FORD BRONCO SPORT SUV
Home runs the RiverDogs hit in the regular season, the most for any team in the Carolina League. The RiverDogs hit 14 in their final series of the regular season in Columbia, including three in the 11th inning in their playoff clinching win last Wednesday.
The RiverDogs set a new franchise record for wins in a single season this year with 88 victories in the 132-game regular season. The previ ous high was 85 set by the 1988 Charleston Rainbows.
®
