Augusta GreenJackets 2016 Season In Review
AUGUSTA, GA - The Augusta GreenJackets, Single-A Affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, have concluded another summer at Lake Olmstead Stadium. The GreenJackets finished with a record of (76-63) that landed them first overall in the Southern Division of the South Atlantic League.
The GreenJackets highlights came from all sorts of places during the season, whether from the dugout, the stands, and finally on the field as we entertained every guest that made their way through the gates of Lake Olmstead Stadium.
The GreenJackets opened up the first month of the season with a record of (10-13) and rounded out the first half of the season at 36-34, 6.5 games out of first place. They finished third overall as the Charleston RiverDogs claimed the first half crown.
The second half the season started out with a promising hope for the playoffs for the GreenJackets. The team rode a five game winning streak right out of the All-Star break, including a stretch of 11 straight wins over the Columbia Fireflies.
The GreenJackets won 9-straight games and had as much as a 4.5 game lead in the Southern Division over the Rome Braves as the team looked to be making a strong playoff push. Unfortunately however, the Braves caught up with, and surpassed the GreenJackets, as Rome would take the second half title, and Augusta would miss out on the playoffs at 2.5 games out. Augusta would accrue the best overall record at 76-63.
Promotions Highlights:
On Saturday, July 30th, the GreenJackets inducted their sixth person into the GreenJackets Hall of Fame. This time it was the San Francisco Giants third base coach Roberto Kelly. Kelly, who managed the GreenJackets from 2005 through 2007 and led the team to the championship series in 2008, accrued an overall record of 285-157.
One of the biggest days of the year for the GreenJackets came when the GreenJackets honored not only our country, but our brave men and women who serve in the military. On August 13th the GreenJackets held their 10th Annual Military Appreciation Night. Buses from Fort Gordon and other military service stations came flooding in to watch the GreenJackets take on the Lexington Legends. The GreenJackets were playing in the Military Appreciation themed uniforms and guests were able to witness a group of young soldiers be sworn in right on the field.
Augusta GreenJacket Player Awards:
At the midway point in the 2016 season, five Augusta GreenJacket players were honored with SAL All-Star recognitions. Caleb Smith, Dylan Davis and Matt Winn all played in the 2016 SAL All-Star game that was hosted in Lexington, Kentucky. Caleb Smith pitched 0.2 of an inning, Matt Winn threw out a runner and Dylan Davis participated in the home run derby.
Six Augusta GreenJackets were named SAL player/pitcher of the week during the season. Matt Winn (May 2nd - May 8th), pitcher Michael Santos (May 2nd - 8th), infielder Miguel Gomez (June 20th - 26th), pitcher Jake McCasland (July 11th - 17th), pitcher Michael Connolly (August 1st - 7th) and outfielder Bryan Reynolds (August 22nd - 28th).
Jake McCasland was named pitcher of the month for August after going 4-1 with a 1.13 ERA though five starts. He only allowed four earned runs the entire month.
Augusta GreenJacket Individual Stats:
Jake McCasland threw the GreenJackets' first no hitter since 2006 on July 17th against the Delmarva Shorebirds.
Five players hit over the .250 mark that played in over fifty games this year for the GreenJackets. Junior Arias (.275), Johneshwy Fargas (.278), Dillon Dobson (.273), Jean Angomas (.260) and Seth Harrison (.256) are among the list of names. Dillon Dobson and Matt Winn each led the team in home runs with 13 and Junior Arias was just behind them with 11 or the season. Dobson led the team in RBI with 60 and Fargas finished with 32 stolen bases.
For the GreenJackets pitching staff, Michael Connolly led the team with 11 wins and for starters Jake McCasland had the lowest ERA at 1.65. McCasland just missed out on qualifying for the ERA title by two innings. Ryan Koziol finished the year with a team high 46 game appearances.
The GreenJackets front office staff, players, and field staff would all like to extend a special thank you to all the amazing fans and supporters of the Augusta GreenJackets during the 2016 season. We hope to see you all back at Lake Olmstead Stadium in April for when we begin another year at the ballpark and as always Catch The Buzz!
- GreenJackets -