Clean Sweep: Rodriguez-Cruz, Avina take home SAL Weekly Awards
Wappingers Falls, N.Y. (April 28, 2025) – Minor League Baseball (MiLB) has announced that Hudson Valley Renegades pitcher Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz has been named the South Atlantic League Pitcher of the Week, and outfielder Jace Avina has been named the South Atlantic League Player of the Week for the week of
Wappingers Falls, N.Y. (April 28, 2025) – Minor League Baseball (MiLB) has announced that Hudson Valley Renegades pitcher Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz has been named the South Atlantic League Pitcher of the Week, and outfielder Jace Avina has been named the South Atlantic League Player of the Week for the week of April 21-27. They become the first Renegades players to win a weekly award during the 2025 season, and it marks the first time that the ‘Gades have swept the SAL weekly awards since joining the league.
In his lone start of the week, Rodriguez-Cruz turned in one of the best starts in Renegades history, tossing 6.1 shutout innings while allowing one hit and one walk while striking out 12 batters on Friday night at Asheville. The 12 strikeouts were tied for second-most in a single game by a Renegades pitcher in franchise history.
“Elmer is a high-talent arm with a great feel for pitching, and the work he’s putting in – both in his preparation and on the field – is really starting to show,” said Renegades pitching coach Demetre Kokoris. “It was fun to watch him get all his pitches working on Friday, carrying a no-hitter into the seventh and finishing with 12 strikeouts and just one walk. His progress has been exciting, and we’re looking forward to seeing him keep building off this outing.”
Rodriguez-Cruz, 21, was acquired by the New York Yankees along with future considerations (international bonus pool money) in exchange for catcher Carlos Narvaez in a trade with the Boston Red Sox on Dec. 11, 2024, and is rated by MLB Pipeline as the No. 7 prospect in the organization. Through four starts, he ranks t-1st in the South Atlantic League with 30 strikeouts, 4th with 22.1 innings pitched, and is holding opponents to a .120 batting average (2nd) and sports a 0.72 WHIP (3rd).
Against the Asheville Tourists, Rodriguez-Cruz carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning, when it was broken up by a softly-hit single by Garret Guillemette with one out. Not only did that break up the no-hit bid, but ended a run of seven straight batters struck out by Rodriguez-Cruz.
The right-hander became only the fourth Renegades pitcher ever to strike out at least 12 batters in a game, joining Baron Stuart and Drew Thorpe (twice). The two baserunners allowed by Rodriguez-Cruz on Friday are the fewest allowed by a pitcher in a 10+ strikeout game in Renegades franchise history.
Rodriguez-Cruz’s dozen strikeouts are tied for second-most by any pitcher in a MiLB game this season, surpassed only by 13 by Major League rehabber Spencer Strider on April 10 for Gwinnett against Norfolk.
Avina, 21, was a key cog in the Renegades’ series victory at Asheville, hitting a dominant .545/.643/.773 (12-for-22) with 4 R, 2 doubles, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 6 BB and 4 SO. He had four multi-hit games, including back-to-back three-hit games on Saturday and Sunday.
Among players with at least 20 at-bats on the week, Avina’s 1.416 OPS was tops in the SAL and fifth in Minor League Baseball.
“This is a well-deserved Player of the Week Award for Jace,” said Renegades hitting coach Tom DeAngelis. “He continues to bring an immense amount of concentration and energy everyday to his training, preparation, and in-game performance that is contagious to his teammates.”
Avina was acquired by the Yankees in a trade along with OF Brian Sanchez with the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for INF/OF Jake Bauers on Nov. 17, 2023. He is currently riding a 15-game on-base streak, during which he is hitting .319/.484/.426 with 10 RBIs.
Single game tickets are available for purchase online at www.hvrenegades.com/tickets, over the phone by calling the Renegades Ticket Office at (845) 838-0094, or in-person at the Renegades Ticket Office at Heritage Financial Park.
ABOUT THE HUDSON VALLEY RENEGADES
The Hudson Valley Renegades have served as the High-A affiliate of the New York Yankees since 2021 and are three-time South Atlantic League North Division Champions. Since 1994, the Renegades have provided the Hudson Valley with affordable, family-friendly entertainment through the game of baseball at Heritage Financial Park, part of the award-winning Dutchess County Parks system. Season Ticket Memberships and Group Tickets for the 2025 season are on sale now, and may be purchased at www.hvrenegades.com or over the phone by calling (845) 838-0094. Find your Fun in 2025 at Heritage Financial Park.
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Diamond Baseball Holdings (DBH) was formed in 2021 to support, promote and enhance Minor League Baseball Clubs affiliated with Major League Baseball through professional management, best practices, innovation and investment (DiamondBaseballHoldings.com).