Defending champions High-A Rancho Cucamonga had an outstanding first half of the 2016 season, finishing second in their division with a 42-28 record. The Quakes weren’t as sharp in the second half, going 37-33, while tying for third but did secure a Wild Card berth.
The Quakes finished third in the California League by scoring 5.44 runs per game despite playing in a park that is neutral. They hit the second-most home runs in the league, only behind High Desert (where every popup is a potential long ball), and led the circuit with 54 triples.
Offensive leaders included Johan Mieses, who had a breakout year by clubbing a league-leading 28 home runs in 122 games. The 21-year-old Dominican native had just 16 career homers in 171 games prior this season.
The $15.5 million man, Yusniel Diaz, dealt with a recurring shoulder injury that cost him nearly half the season, but he showed flashes of his ability, including homering in three straight games in April. Hopefully the Cuban outfielder can play a full, healthy season in 2017.
Mike Ahmed also showed off his power, knocking 19 homers of his own. The infielder spent time at first, second and third base this season, and is also capable of playing shortstop.
Perhaps the biggest power boost came from Edwin Rios, who clubbed 16 homers in just 42 games. The 2015 sixth-rounder broke out with Rancho on his way to winning the Dodgers’ Minor League Player of the Year Award.
Other contributors were shortstop Erick Mejia, who anchored the leadoff spot and stole 24 bases, and Noah Perio, signed out of Independent ball, who hit .358 with the Quakes in 30 games.
Kyle Garlick, last year’s 28th-rounder, batted .306 in 49 games, and the now-household Andrew Toles hit .370 in a month’s worth of games to open the season.
On the hill, the Quakes were led by Josh Sborz, last year’s second rounder, who was named the Cal League Pitcher of the Year. The converted closer has had an easy transition to the rotation, where he posted a league-leading 2.66 ERA (min. 100 IP).
Grant Holmes, traded to the Athletics in the Rich Hill deal, posted a 4.02 ERA in 20 games before being dealt. Andrew Sopko, the club’s seventh-rounder from 2015, contributed a 3.26 ERA before a late-season promotion to Double-A Tulsa.
Nine major league pitchers made rehab appearances with Rancho: Hyun-jin Ryu, Brandon McCarthy, Brett Anderson, Bud Norris, Yimi Garcia, Casey Fien, Josh Ravin, Adam Liberatore, and Clayton Kershaw.
The Quakes opened the postseason at home against Lancaster, and it was a sign of craziness to come. The clubs traded runs in the third inning, then the Jethawks pulled ahead in the fifth, only for the Quakes to pull even in the sixth before trading runs again in the eighth.
Then nothing happened for seven innings. Finally, mercifully, in the bottom of the 16th, the rehabbing Andre Ethier led off with a single but was forced out on the next play. Diaz doubled, putting the winning run on third.
After an intentional walk, Perio came through with a walk-off single to give Game 1 to Rancho. Unfortunately, the rest of the series didn’t go so well.
The teams moved to Lancaster for Games 2 and 3, where the Quakes allowed a total of 38 runs. Yes, you read that correctly, 38 runs in two games. That’s Lancaster for you.
Next season looks like yet another promising year for Rancho Cucamonga. Some of the brightest, youngest players seem headed for southern California, including two very exciting pitchers in Yadier Alvarez and Walker Buehler.
And young hitters like Omar Estevez and Brendon Davis will be thrilled to leave the Midwest League. The Quakes should be well-positioned for yet another postseason run.
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