This series will contain weekly recaps of the performances of each minor league affiliate. Here is the latest installment after the twentieth week of the minor league season.
CHARLOTTE KNIGHTS Regular Season (45-75), Final Stretch (2-3)
WEEKLY RECORD: 2-3
As the regular season concluded, Charlotte kicked off their final stretch schedule by hosting the Norfolk Tides. Unfortunately some regular season trends carried over into the final stretch, as the Knights dropped three of five against the Tides. Charlotte finished the regular season in last place and 32 games back in the Triple-A East Southeast Division.
The Charlotte offense endured some struggles against Norfolk pitchers. The Knights lineup slashed .228/.318/.362 for a 680 OPS, 19 runs scored, 34 hits in 149 at bats, eight doubles, no triples, four home runs, 18 RBI, 19 walks to 46 strikeouts, four stolen bases, and were not caught stealing. Complete season totals for the Knights offense can be found here.
Almost as if they were in tune with the offense, Knights pitching struggled against the Tides lineup. Norfolk wrecked Charlotte pitching to the tune of a 6.59 team ERA, a 1.73 WHIP, .268 Batting Average Against, 30 earned runs to 33 runs allowed, 42 hits to 41 innings pitched, 29 walks to 54 strikeouts, hit five batters, and allowed five home runs. To see Charlotte’s complete pitching totals for the season, click here.
HOT PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Bennett Sousa: Despite all of the struggles the Knights pitching staff endured this past week, Bennett Sousa was outstanding. In two appearances, Sousa threw one and two thirds of an inning, allowed no hits, runs, or walks, struck out all five batters he faced and picked up two wins for good measure.
Honorable Mentions: Blake Rutherford, Romy Gonzalez, Micker Adolfo, and Carl Edwards
DSL WHITE SOX (25-29)
WEEKLY RECORD: 3-3
Once again, the DSL White Sox had six games this week — one was a makeup of a suspended game from August. The team didn’t fare quite as well as they did in the previous week, but did come away with a .500 record by securing three wins. The DSL Sox are in fourth place and nine and a half games back in the Dominican Summer League Baseball City Division.
After coming off a very solid offensive week, the DSL White Sox sputtered at the plate. In the five scheduled games this week (the stats from the August suspended game fall back to that week), the DSL Sox slashed .187/.294/.237 for a 532 OPS, 19 runs scored, 26 hits in 139 at bats, five doubles, one triple, no home runs, 12 RBI, 18 walks to 42 strikeouts, five stolen bases, and were caught stealing twice. Complete batting stats for the DSL White Sox can be found here.
The DSL White Sox had solid showings of progress on the mound after a tough previous week. The staff wrapped with team ERA of 3.16, a 1.38 WHIP, .243 Batting Average Against, 13 earned runs to 16 runs allowed, 34 hits to 37 innings pitched, 17 walks to 36 strikeouts, four hit batters, and allowed two home runs. Complete pitching stats for the DSL White Sox can be found here.
HOT PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Emerson Talavera: Emerson Talavera excellent season continued on into this week. The 18 year-old Venezuelan got a start this week and threw five innings allowing three hits, one run (one earned), one walk, struck out five batters, and finished the week with an 0.80 WHIP and a .158 Batting Average Against.
Honorable Mentions: Yohemy Nolasco and Manuel Veloz
Photo credit: Clinton Cole/FutureSox
Want to know right away when we publish a new article? Type your email address in the box on the right-side bar (or at the bottom on a mobile device) and click create subscription. Our list is completely spam free and you can opt out at any time. Also, consider supporting FutureSox on Patreon! You can get early access to special articles and Patreon-only posts, in addition to more benefits.
Shop our exclusive merchandise! Show your support with FutureSox apparel.