Hope in Beantown

[OmahaBaseball]

Blake Snell Dominates Cardinals with Complete Game Shutout

San Francisco, CA — Blake Snell of the San Francisco Giants delivered a masterful pitching performance at Oracle Park, humiliating the St. Louis Cardinals in a 3-0 rout. The left-hander held the visitors to just three hits over nine innings, striking out 15 while issuing a single walk; Game Score 95.

“He stayed aggressive and his ball was really moving,” St. Louis manager Oliver Marmol said after the game. Snell credited his command for the performance. “If I make good pitches, I’m going to get some outs,” he said. “I was making good pitches the entire game.”

This season, Snell has made 34 starts, logging 237.1 innings with 305 strikeouts and 100 walks. Despite an 11-11 record and a 4.25 ERA, he has kept opposing hitters to a .234 batting average, proving capable of dominating nights like Tuesday’s showdown.

[OmahaBaseball]

Dubin Named 2024 PCL Reliever of the Year

Sugar Land Space Cowboys manager expressed unwavering confidence every time he handed the ball to Shawn Dubin this season — and for good reason. The 29-year-old right-hander dominated out of the bullpen throughout 2024, earning him the Pacific Coast League Reliever of the Year award.

Dubin was a force in late innings, posting a 2.51 ERA with 31 saves across 52 relief appearances. He struck out 65 batters in 64.2 innings while compiling a 4–4 record. His performance made a strong impression on voters, who awarded him all 10 first-place votes, making him the unanimous winner.

Tacoma’s Tayler Saucedo finished second in voting, followed by Round Rock’s Chase Lee. Rounding out the ballot were Ryan Brasier (Oklahoma City), Zac Rosscup(Albuquerque), and Alex Claudio (Reno). Dubin’s breakout season cemented him as one of the league’s premier late-inning arms and a cornerstone of Sugar Land’s bullpen success.

  Player              Team          1st Place    Total Pts

Shawn Dubin	   Sugar Land 	       10 	     50 
Tayler Saucedo	   Tacoma		0 	     28
Chase Lee	   Round Rock	        0 	      4
Ryan Brasier	   Oklahoma City	0 	      3
Zac Rosscup 	   Albuquerque	        0 	      3
Alex Claudio 	   Reno		        0 	      2

[OmahaBaseball]

Saggese Claims International League MVP After Record-Setting Season

The Memphis Redbirds didn’t hesitate to praise their young star, and manager said he believes Thomas Saggese is “only going to get better as he gets older.” Considering what the 22-year-old accomplished in 2024, that’s a remarkable projection. Saggese was named the International League Most Valuable Player after putting together one of the most complete offensive seasons the league has seen in years.

The first baseman was a consistent force from Opening Day to the season’s final week, finishing with a scorching .346 batting average and a .405 on-base percentage that generated 5.6 WAR. His blend of power and contact separated him from the rest of the league: 194 hits, 33 doubles, 7 triples, and a towering 46 home runs. He also drove in 122 runs and crossed the plate 102 times, anchoring one of the league’s most productive lineups.

His dominance made the MVP vote a formality. Saggese became a unanimous winner, collecting all 20 first-place votes and amassing 280 total points—over 100 more than the runner-up. Charlotte catcher Carlos Perez finished second in voting, while Gwinnett outfielder Jarred Kelenic took third.

  Player                Team         1st Place    Total Pts

Thomas Saggese     Memphis Redbirds      20  	    280 
Carlos Perez 	   Charlotte Knights      0 	    169
Jarred Kelenic 	   Gwinnett Stripers      0 	    141
Luca Tresh Omaha   Storm Chasers          0 	    138
Austin Meadows 	   Columbus Clippers      0 	     88
Jose Rondon	   Syracuse Mets	  0	     72
Jonny DeLuca	   Durham Bulls	          0          45
Oswaldo Cabrera    Scranton RailRiders    0          41
Logan Allen        Columbus Clippers      0          32
Juan Brito         Columbus Clippers      0          26
Jonathan Schoop    Indianapolis Indians   0          24
Connor Wong        Worcester Red Sox      0          24
Alexander Canario  Iowa Cubs              0          19

[OmahaBaseball]

Flaherty Dominates Rays; Boston Secure Playoff Spot

The Boston Red Sox rode a masterful performance from right-hander Jack Flaherty to a convincing 7–0 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park. With the victory, Boston secured a spot in the 2024 MLB Playoffs. Flaherty (17-10) was in complete command throughout his 4-hit shutout, striking out nine and walking just one across 114 pitches; Game Score 87. Of Note, Flaherty was named MLB's #3 Performance of the Day.

Boston’s offense backed him with a fourth inning blast from Tyler O’Neill and a sixth inning smash from Jarren Duran. The decisive blow though came in a four-run eighth inning, highlighted by doubles from Duran, Rafael Devers, and Masataka Yoshida. On the day, O’Neill and Duran each finished with two hits, a home run, and multiple extra-base hits. Tampa Bay starter Shane McClanahan (18-13) labored through 7.1 innings and was charged with the loss after permitting all seven runs; Game Score 37.

The Rays, meanwhile, never managed to string together meaningful offense. Randy Arozarena, Josh Lowe, Ben Rortvedt, and Brandon Lowe accounted for their only hits of the afternoon. With clear skies and a lively crowd of 32,368, Fenway Park had the feel of a club sharpening itself for postseason play. Win the win, Boston improved to 88–73, while Tampa Bay slipped to 85–76 as the regular season neared its close.

Player of the Game: Jack Flaherty (Season: #12)

AL East Standings: 2nd Place, 7 Games Behind
AL Wildcard Standings: 2nd WC spot; 3 Game Lead

[OmahaBaseball]

Red Sox Clinch Wild Card Berth -- Eyes Set on World Series

The Boston Red Sox have secured an American League wild card berth, earning their place in the postseason despite not claiming a division crown. Yet expectations inside the clubhouse remain anything but modest. “We expect to win the World Series, simple as that,” closer Liam Hendriks said shortly after the team officially locked up its playoff spot, making clear that merely reaching October isn’t the goal.

If the Red Sox can follow through on those ambitions, they’ll claim the 10th World Series title in franchise history—another chapter in one of baseball’s most storied legacies. For now, they enter the postseason carrying confidence, urgency, and the weight of big expectations.

[OmahaBaseball]

Boston Adds Meyer After Successful Waiver Claim

The league office confirmed today that Boston's waiver claim of right-hander Max Meyer from the Miami Marlins has been approved, officially adding the former first-round pick to its pitching depth.

Meyer, who had been designated for assignment by Miami earlier this week, now reports to his new club immediately. The move brings in a talented arm with upside, as Meyer has shown flashes of frontline potential when healthy, including a lively fastball and a sharp slider that once made him one of baseball’s more intriguing young pitchers.

Team officials expressed optimism that a fresh start could help Meyer regain form and contribute in meaningful ways moving forward. For now, he’ll join the organization as it evaluates where he best fits—whether as rotation depth, bullpen support, or a developmental project with long-term potential. The hope is that Meyer has put his lengthy injury history behind him.

[OmahaBaseball]

Pope Earns Texas League Reliever of the Year Honors

Amarillo Sod Poodles right-hander Austin Pope may only be 25, but he admits that some hitters still underestimate him when he takes the mound. After his latest accolade, that’s unlikely to continue.

Pope was named the 2024 Texas League Reliever of the Year, earning all 10 first-place votes in a unanimous selection. The rising bullpen standout put together a dominant season for Amarillo, posting a 1.73 ERA across 62.1 innings. In 37 relief appearances, he notched 8 saves, struck out 78, and issued just 23 walks, solidifying himself as one of the league’s most reliable late-inning arms.

In the final voting, Will Klein of the Northwest Arkansas Naturals finished second, followed by Tulsa’s Edgardo Henriquez. Arkansas Travelers reliever Brett De Geus rounded out the ballot.

  Player                     Team          	1st Place    Total Pts

Austin Pope   	      Amarillo Sod Poodles 	   10    	50 
Will Klein   	      Northwest Arkansas Naturals   0    	20 
Edgardo Henriquez     Tulsa Drillers   		    0   	16 
Brett De Geus  	      Arkansas Travelers            0    	 4

[OmahaBaseball]

Platinum Stick Honors Shine on PCL’s Finest Hitters

The Pacific Coast League announced its 2024 Platinum Stick Award winners on Friday, celebrating what represents the pinnacle of offensive performance at a respective position. This year’s slate features a blend of established sluggers, breakout stars, and stat-stuffed seasons that pushed lineups across the league.

Behind the plate, Sam Huff (Round Rock) delivered with a .277 average with 35 homers and a .574 slugging mark. At first base, Emmanuel Rivera (Reno) put together one of the league’s most complete offensive profiles with a .319/.395/.683 slashline, backed by 45 home runs and 113 RBI. Reno third baseman Deyvison De Los Santos turned in a historic season that saw him smash 63 home runs, 136 RBI, and .709 slugging percentage. The middle infield belonged to Las Vegas, led by second baseman Darell Hernaiz (.321 with 23 steals) and shortstop Cooper Bowman (28 homers and 22 steals of his own).

In the outfield, production was equally explosive. Sandro Fabian (Round Rock) knocked in 144 runs from left field, one of the highest totals in recent league memory. In center, Cade Marlowe (Tacoma) put together a standout all-around year, launching 46 home runs while scoring 124 times. Andy Pages (Oklahoma City) rounded out the trio in right field with 55 homers and a .646 slugging percentage. The designated hitter award went to Jason Martin (Salt Lake) after a .306/.390/.657 season fueled by 47 home runs and 106 RBI.

[OmahaBaseball]

Misiaszek Earns Eastern League’s Top Bullpen Honor

Akron RubberDucks left-hander Andrew Misiaszek was named the 2024 Eastern League Reliever of the Year, capping a season in which he established himself as a reliable late-inning weapon. The 27-year-old Oceanside, N.Y. native pieced together an impressive campaign, logging 38 relief appearances and piling up 71 strikeouts in 67.1 innings. Though not a traditional closer, Misiaszek proved invaluable in high-leverage spots, finishing the year with a 9–2 record, a polished 2.41 ERA, and two saves that came in critical moments down the stretch.

His dominance was reflected in the voting: Misiaszek secured 11 of 12 first-place votes and finished with 58 points, making him the clear choice among league managers and media. Somerset right-hander Jack Neely claimed the remaining first-place vote and finished second with 38 points, while Hartford’s Victor Vodnik placed third. New Hampshire’s Mason Fluharty rounded out the ballot.

   Player                  Team                  1st Place    Total Pts

Andrew Misiaszek     Akron RubberDucks 		    11    	 58
Jack Neely 	     Somerset Patriots  	     1    	 38
Victor Vodnik 	     Hartford Yard Goats  	     0		 11
Mason Fluharty       New Hampshire Fisher Cats       0     	  1

[OmahaBaseball]

Speas Nabs Southern League Honors

Birmingham Barons right-hander Alex Speas spent the 2024 season offering exactly what every bullpen hopes for but rarely finds—steadiness, composure, and a knack for handling tense moments with veteran cool. That effort translated into being selected as the Southern League Reliever of the Year.

The Powder Springs, Georgia native anchored Birmingham’s bullpen with 25 saves across 51 appearances, piling up 95 strikeouts in 63.2 innings. His workload was heavy and his record reflected it, finishing 10–7 with a 4.95 ERA. In voting, Speas dominated with 7 of 8 first-place votes, collecting 38 total points. Mississippi Braves reliever Blake Burkhalter earned the remaining first-place vote to finish second, while teammate Hayden Harris placed third.

   Player                     Team             1st Place    Total Pts

Alex Speas   		Birmingham Barons 	   7  	       38 
Blake Burkhalter   	Mississippi Braves 	   1 	       26 
Hayden Harris  		Mississippi Braves 	   0 	        8

[OmahaBaseball]

Red Sox Power Past Rays 8–3 Behind O’Neill’s Big Day

Boston, MA — The Boston Red Sox closed out their regular-season slate at Fenway Park with an assertive 8–3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays, fueled by a dynamic offensive performance from right fielder Tyler O’Neill. O’Neill set the tone in the middle innings, going 3-for-4 with a pair of singles and a towering two-run homer (33rd of season) in the fourth that sparked a five-run Boston rally. The blast, which sailed over the Green Monster with one out, erased Tampa Bay’s early lead and shifted momentum firmly toward Boston. O’Neill crossed the plate twice and drove in two, earning him Player of the Game honors.

Starter Tanner Houck (17-10) delivered seven steady innings, holding the Rays to four hits and three runs while striking out nine; Game Score 63. His lone major mistake came in the opening frame, when Tampa Bay rookie Junior Caminero launched a two-run homer—his 30th of the season—to give the visitors a brief 2–0 edge. Boston answered emphatically in the fourth. Along with O’Neill’s blast, Rafael Devers ripped a two-out, two-run double, and Ceddanne Rafaela added an RBI of his own later in the game, helping the Red Sox pile up 13 hits on the afternoon.

Tampa Bay struggled to generate offense after the first inning, collecting just five total hits. Rays starter Drew Rasmussen (12-12) was tagged for nine hits and six runs in 3⅔ innings, taking the loss; Game Score 19. A clear, cool afternoon at Fenway brought 32,224 fans to the park, where the Red Sox celebrated their fourth straight victory and wrapped up the regular season with an 89–73 record.

Player of the Game: Tyler O'Neill (Season: #7)

AL East Standings: 2nd Place, 6 Games Behind
AL Wildcard Standings: 2nd WC spot

[OmahaBaseball]

American League Standings

With the 2024 MLB regular season now wrapped up, a look at how the American League teams fared. The New York Yankees (95-67) finished with the best record in the league. The Houston Astros (94-68) and Minnesota Twins (90-72) captured their respective division crowns. The Kansas City Royals (90-72), Boston Red Sox (89-73), and Baltimore Orioles (86-76) secured Wild Card spots.

[OmahaBaseball]

National League Standings

As was the case for much of the year, the Philadelphia Phillies (100-62) finished with the National League's best record. The Milwaukee Brewers (91-71) and San Diego Padres (87-75) captured the other division titles. The Atlanta Braves (94-68), Los Angeles Dodgers (86-76), and San Francisco Giants (86-76) are the Wild Card teams.

[OmahaBaseball]

American League Batting Leaders

The 2024 regular season produced some outstanding offensive performances, including the career season of Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez who led the American League with 51 home runs, 137 RBI, .596% slugging, .975% OPS, 367 total bases, 84 extra-base hits, .305 isolated power, 167 OPS+, and .401 wOBA. The only representative from the Boston Red Sox was Masataka Yoshida who led the league with 655 at-bats, 185 hits, and 53 doubles.

[OmahaBaseball]

National League Batting Leaders

The National League regular season batting leaders were led by the outstanding season of Atlanta Braves superstar Ronald Acuna Jr. who had the top spot with .395 OBP, .580 Slugging, .975 OPS, 126 Runs, .274 ISO, 167 OPS+, 6.37 WPA, and .401 wOBA. Teammate Matt Olson led the league with 44 HRs and 124 RBI.

[OmahaBaseball]

American League Pitching Leaders

The AL pitching leaders have some notable performances. It will be interesting to see if Baltimore Orioles ace Corbin Burnes picks up the Cy Young Award after a season that some him lead the league with a 2.90 ERA, 6.3 WAR, 3.23 FIP, and 148 ERA+. Feels like his closest competition is Cleveland Guardians ace Shane Bieber who had a league best 22 Wins, .786 Win%, 7.3 rWAR, and 24 QS.

[OmahaBaseball]

National League Pitching Leaders

The race for the National League Cy Young Award feels like it will be a battle between the Philadelphia Phillies teammates Aaron Nola (21 Wins, 6.2 WAR, 5.8 K/BB, 1.5 BB/9) and Ranger Suarez (1.01 WHIP, 151 ERA+, .246 BABIP, 26 QS). In the off chance they split the votes too much, the Padres Michael King (2.80 ERA, 7.3 rWAR) might sneak in.

[OmahaBaseball]

Boston Red Sox Recap

A look at how the month of September played out, as well as the season rankings for the team. For the final month, Boston played to a 13-13 record; just barely sneaking into the 2024 Playoffs. From an overall team standpoint, I am happy with making the playoffs in my first year leading the club, and believe there are several solid building blocks moving forward.

On offense, Boston fared well in the American League with 1,428 hits (tied for 1st), .254 batting average (2nd), .316 on-base % (4th), 538 extra-base hits (4th), and 155 stolen bases (4th). The challenge for the team is that is frequently lacked pop in the bats, as evidenced by a .421 slugging % (7th), 20.0 WAR (8th), and 186 HRs (12th). The team was respectable on the base paths.

The pitching staff had some solid stats, with an overall ERA of 3.89 (4th), 25.9 WAR (2nd), 170 HRs allowed (1st). The team defense was horrible with a .689 defensive efficiency (13th) and -11.7 zone rating (10th). I am going to devote time and resources to improve defense.

[OmahaBaseball]

Player Batting Stats

What a fun season of watching the Boston Red Sox offense in action. While there are some clear holes that must be addressed, it was great to see Rafael Devers put together a .283/.356/.541 slashline that generated 5.9 WAR. While a change in position may be in the foreseeable future, I love having that offensive production in the lineup.

The outfield tandem of Jarren Duran (3.8 WAR) and Tyler O'Neill (3.5) was great to have at the plate, as well as their solid defensive play. I am looking forward to what Kyle Teel (3.1 WAR) and Marcelo Mayer (2.8 WAR) are able to do in a full season of play.

To be honest, I am at a loss for what to do with Masataka Yoshida who smacked a league-leading 53 doubles and had a 114 wRC+, but generated just 0.8 WAR from the DH position. As he enters into his age 31 season and stands to make $18M next season, his defense prevents him from manning an outfield position. If I move Devers to DH, Yoshida may end up being the odd man out.

[OmahaBaseball]

Player Pitching Stats

The makings of a powerful front of the rotation staff is already here with Tanner Houck (5.4 WAR, .706% QS) and Kutter Crawford (4.4 WAR). If I can get Brayan Bello to improve a little more, as well as negotiate with Jack Flaherty to stay, this could be something special next year. Loved the season that Liam Hendriks was having up until the final month; now I am not sure which closer I am getting when I call him into the game. Overall, I was disappointed with my bullpen, and will look to make significant changes for next season.