Whether it's the Governors' Cup of the International League or the Mills Cup of the Carolina League, there's extra urgency and added drama when the championship trophy is in the house.
From the complex-level leagues in Arizona and Florida all the way up to Triple-A, a title is the culmination
Whether it's the Governors' Cup of the International League or the Mills Cup of the Carolina League, there's extra urgency and added drama when the championship trophy is in the house.
From the complex-level leagues in Arizona and Florida all the way up to Triple-A, a title is the culmination of countless hours on buses and months of work, both on and off the field. And winning, front office officials will tell you, is an essential part of the development process.
In 2019, one prospect pitched one of the best games of his life and another redeemed a disappointing regular season by thriving in the crucible that is the playoffs. One team won the pennant in the most exciting way imaginable while another survived a seesaw battle to end an 11-year championship drought.
Here are four of the more remarkable championship-winning contests you can watch during the MiLB.TV free preview. Head over to Twitter to vote on which one will be streamed on Facebook Live this Thursday.
Garcia unhittable in Eastern League
Rony Garcia joined Double-A Trenton on June 22, four days after the Yankees affiliate clinched the Eastern League's first-half Eastern Division title. After pitching 3 1/3 scoreless innings in the semifinals against Reading, the right-hander got the ball for Game 4 of the Championship Series against Bowie with the Thunder a win away from its first crown in six years. Manager Pat Osborn noted Garcia has a "slow heartbeat" and a demeanor that doesn't waver in big moments. The 22-year-old had a 4-0 lead before allowing his one and only baserunner over a five-inning stint. Batterymate Kellin Deglan smacked a solo homer en route to earning Finals MVP honors as Trenton wrapped up the series and the championship with a 5-2 win. Full story | Highlight: Garcia caps five hitless frames | Watch game
Cats catch a break, complete sweep
Baseball, it's been said countless times, is a game of inches. Don't believe the maxim? Check with the Sacramento River Cats. The Giants' Triple-A affiliate was trying to complete a three-game sweep of Round Rock in the Pacific Coast League Finals but trailed in the eighth inning, 5-4. Sacramento loaded the bases with one out for Abiatal Avelino, who hit an apparent double play grounder up the middle. Instead, the ball caromed off Express reliever Ralph Garza and dribbled into right field as the tying and go-ahead runs scored. The River Cats went on to capture their first PCL championship in 13 years as Avelino reached base in all eight postseason contests, going 12-for-37 (.324) with nine RBIs. Full story | Highlight: Avelino puts Cats ahead | Watch game
Walk-off win was Legend-ary
Friday the 13th proved anything but unlucky for the Lexington Legends. Playing on Sept. 13 with a chance to win its second straight South Atlantic League championship, the Royals' Class A affiliate had to put in a little overtime. "[The game] just kept going and going," said Legends manager Brooks Conrad, who got six hitless innings from starter Zach Haake. Game 4 of the best-of-5 SAL Finals went to extra innings at 1-1, and neither Lexington nor Hickory could push a run across in the 10th, 11th or 12th. Legends right fielder Eric Cole drew a four-pitch walk to open the bottom of the 13th but was still on first with two outs when Reed Rohlman stepped to the plate. The former Pioneer League All-Star sent a 1-2 pitch over the right field fence to set off a wild celebration as his teammates tore off his jersey and doused him with Gatorade. "He's just such a stand-up, character guy. I was so proud of him and happy he was the guy that did it," Conrad said. Full story | Highlight: Rohlman wins it | Watch game
Taylor-made title
Taylor Trammell came over to the Padres at last year's Trade Deadline as the key piece in the three-team trade involving Yasiel Puig and Trevor Bauer. After putting up a .234/.340/.349 slash line during the regular season, MLB.com's No. 56 overall prospect caught fire in the Texas League playoffs. In the decisive fifth game of the Championship Series against Tulsa, Trammell hit an opposite-field grand slam that sparked a seven-run eighth inning as Amarillo captured the crown in its inaugural season. "This is awesome for me because I've been in pro ball for three years, for four seasons, and out of those four seasons, I've been there three times, I've come in second twice and the last inning, I was like, 'I'm not losing another one,'" he said after a jubilant trip around the bases. The former Futures Game MVP batted .309 with three homers and 11 RBIs in 10 playoff games. Full story | Highlight: Trammell tattoos one | Watch game
Daren Smith is an editor for MiLB.com.
