The Kannapolis Cannon Ballers ended their 2021 campaign with a five-game series sweep of the Columbia Fireflies.
For a while, it was a question if the two clubs were going to be able to square off. Consecutive days of postponements followed the series opener on Tuesday, leading to Wednesday’s contest being cancelled.
I have only one question: Where has this level of play been all year? Kannapolis’ week is the strongest baseball they’ve played amidst their best two-week stretch all year. In the last two weeks, Kannapolis leads the Low-A East (12 teams) in the following categories: team ERA, saves, hits/runs allowed, OPP BA, and triples hit. When this team clicks, everything seems to fall their way.
All that aside, this roster was revamped for the better towards the twilight of the season. The injection of new blood, a loose playing style and some standout performances brings a truckload of momentum into the offseason. On paper, the statistics speak for themselves for how well the club played against the Kansas City Royals affiliate.
Series W-L: 5-0
Season W-L: 40-79, 31.5 GB of the Down East Wood Ducks
Batting: .268/.356/.452 Slash, 23 R, 42 H, 18 XBH, 19 BB, 49 K, 1 SB
Pitching: 41 IP, 1.98 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, .211 OPP BA, 10 R (9 ER), 31 H, 13 BB, 41 K
RAMOS’ HOT BAT
Man, Bryan Ramos is going to be a must-watch in 2022. The 19-year-old ended his season with a monstrous week at the dish. Ramos pounded his way to a .333 average, 1.048 OPS and four triples in 21 at-bats. He was the only Cannon Baller that didn’t record a strikeout at the plate. HIs strongest contest came back in the series opening 6-5 win. On the day, Ramos went three-for-five with two triples while scoring three times.
On top of his strong finish, the club announced Ramos as their player of the year. The counting stats are encouraging for him considering the youth and it being his first year of professional baseball in the minors. The Cuban is at the core of Kannapolis’ success throughout the season. Look for an in-depth dive on his season in the end-of-year review coming soon.
LUNA LEADS BULLPEN
One player that has impressed since joining the club is that of Gill Luna Jr. The southpaw reliever got the call to Kannapolis on September 9 and has been lights out since then. Luna made three appearances against Columbia, closing the door in their face each time. He opened the series with a 2.1 inning save on September 14, followed by a two-strikeout inning of relief on September 17 and recorded the series finale save with another inning of work. The approach of one day on, another day off has been followed by manager Guillermo Quiroz. Obviously it’s the end of the season, so why not put the young arm out there and see what he has?
The Phoenix, AZ native tore it up in the Arizona Complex League before reaching the Low-A club. His momentum didn’t fail him in his opportunities. In four appearances with Kannapolis, Luna threw 6.1 innings, struck-out seven, allowed two hits and didn’t allow a run to cross. Luna’s mix of the fastball, slider and changeup gives enough deception with movement that makes him so effective. The slider is still a work in progress, but can be deadly once he’s able to get a hold of it.
PITCHING PROSPECTS RESURFACE
Andrew Dalquist and Matt Thompson are two of the highly touted arms on the Cannon Ballers roster. The 2021 season was filled with a mix of triumphs and struggles for both young arms. In the final week, both were able to give solid outings of five scoreless innings each. Thompson had the better of the duo with strikeouts (four to one) and walks (one to three).
For Dalquist, the outing snapped two consecutive outings of three runs allowed without making it through the fourth inning. It’s been a hit or miss type year for the California native. He’ll have a dominant outing, getting through five innings easily and have duds in the two starts after. Regardless, his September 17 start to lead Kannapolis to the night cap win in a doubleheader is something to hang his cap on.
Thompson ended his year strong, putting together consecutive scoreless outings for the first time all year. The big statistic that declined was the walk total. His previous start saw him struggle with four base on balls. Hitting the strike zone with the off-speed was the struggle for the right-hander and something that will need to be worked on in off-season instructs. A strong end to the year for the top-10 prospect nonetheless.
OTHER NOTABLES
Two players that had struggled, but rebounded late in the year had strong week at the plate. Those two would be Chase Krogman and Misael Gonzalez. Krogman continues his bounce back with his swing change, putting up another sold week with a .333 batting average and six hits. Gonzalez tore up the Arizona Complex League and underwhelmed since his call to Kannapolis. That was not the case this week as he notched a home run and knocked in four runs with the bat.
Southpaw Brooks Gosswein struggles in his lone outing, only going an inning while allowing three earned on two hits and two walks. Relievers Zach Cable, Theo Denlinger and Haylen Green combine for six innings of shoutout baseball with eight strikeouts along the way.
LOOKING AHEAD
With the 2021 season in the books, it will be time to look at the Arizona Fall League’s rosters. A few former Cannon Ballers, such as Jose Rodriguez and McKinley Moore have already thrown their names into the hat for some playing time. I would expect a few Ballers to make their way to Arizona, just to get some meaningful playing time in the off-season. Coming soon will be a full-season review on the club. Be on the look out for that in the coming days!
Photo credit: Michael Guariglia/FutureSox
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