2016 IronPigs Season Recap

The 2016 season was the most successful campaign in the nine-year history of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. The Pigs finished with an 85-58 record -- their best mark all-time, the second-best in Triple-A and the 12th best in full-season Minor League Baseball. In fact, their franchise-record 85 wins was the highest total by a Phillies' Triple-A affiliate since 2002, when the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons went 91-53. The Pigs finished in second place in the North Division and won the Wild Card, earning the franchise's first trip to the International League postseason since 2011 and its second playoff berth all-time.

Unfortunately, due to the predetermined playoff setup in the IL, the Pigs had a first-round date with the team that featured the top record in full-season MiLB, the SWB RailRiders (91-52). The RailRiders, who also posted their best mark in franchise history, swept the Pigs in three games in the best-of-five series

Despite the abrupt ending, it was a remarkable season for a team that entered 2016 with its youngest Opening Day roster all-time. After starting just 15-17 through May 11, the Pigs took flight and finished 70-41 the rest of the way. By the end of the regular season, fourth-year manager Dave Brundage had led his team to a franchise-best 27 games above .500, the highest mark for a Phillies' Triple-A affiliate since 2002. In fact, the consistency of the club was illustrated by the fact the Pigs never lost more than three in a row. Even some of the most historically recognized teams, the 1927 New York Yankees (110-44), the 1998 Yankees (114-48) and the 2001 Seattle Mariners (116-46) all experienced a four-game losing streak at some point.

There's a popular old saying that "pitching wins championships." Well, the Pigs staff did its best to bring the team close. Under the guidance of first-year pitching coach Dave Lundquist, Lehigh Valley easily shattered franchise-bests in both ERA (3.12; previously 3.68 in 2011) and shutouts (18; previously 12 in 2011-13). In addition, they set a team high with six IL Pitcher of the Week awards.

Until his promotion to Philadelphia on Aug. 6, RHP Jake Thompson was the anchor of the starting rotation. The 22-year-old led the IL in ERA (2.50) while finishing tied for first in wins (11). He also set a franchise record by winning five consecutive starts from July 6-31. At the end of the season, Thompson was named the IL Pitcher of the Year -- becoming just the second IronPig to win the award all-time (RHP Tyler Cloyd, 2012).

Once Thompson went up, the rotation was anchored by RHP Ben Lively and RHP Phil Klein. Lively tied for the league lead in wins (11) while finishing second -- behind only Thompson -- in ERA (3.06). The 24-year-old dazzled down the stretch, winning his last four starts (4-0, 1.57) as well as seven of his last eight starting July 27 (7-1, 1.98). Combined with his time in Reading (AA), Lively led MiLB in victories in 2016 -- becoming the first minor leaguer to post 18 wins since 2008 (Jhoulys Chacin, 18-3) and the first Phillies' farmhand to win 18 or more games since 1995 (Rich Hunter, 19-2).

Klein, who was claimed off waivers by the Phillies from Texas on June 19, was the IL's most dominant pitcher from June 23 on. The 27-year-old owned the best ERA (1.52) and strikeout-to-innings pitched ratio (10.5) in the league after joining the Pigs. Over his last five starts, the Columbus, OH, native went 4-0 with a 1.03 ERA. He was also named IL Player of the Month in August (4-0, 1.06 in 5 GS) becoming just the second Pig to ever win a Player of the Month award (Andy Tracy, June 2010).

The rotation also received solid performances from returning starters RHP David Buchanan (10-9, 3.98), LHP Adam Morgan (6-1, 3.04) and LHP Anthony Vasquez (4-1, 2.64). In fact, with a win on Sept. 5, the 27-year-old Buchanan became the franchise co-leader in career victories at 24 (Drew Carpenter, 2008-11).

The Pigs bullpen was equally as important to the team's success, posting a collective 2.90 ERA. Veteran closer RHP Edward Mujica, who was one of three Pigs selected to the IL midseason All-Star team, was leading the IL in saves (23) before the Phillies granted his release on July 14. Upon his departure, RHP Luis Garcia was bumped from his setup role back to closer duties and shined. From July 14 on, the 29-year-old was unscored upon in his last 17 games, going 12-for-12 in save opportunities over 17.1 scoreless innings. On July 30, he notched his 32nd save to pass Scott Mathieson (32 from 2010-11) as the franchise's all-time save leader -- and finished the season with 38 saves in his impressive three-year career with Lehigh Valley (8-4, 1.52, 38 SV in 95 G).

Despite numerous promotions out of their relief corps, the Pigs were often able to "shorten" the game on opponents with excellent middle relief -- featuring RHP Frank Herrmann (6-1, 1.27), RHP Michael Mariot (1-2, 2.23, SV) and RHP Edubray Ramos (1-0, 0.38, 3 SV).

Under sixth-year hitting coach Sal Rende, the Pigs offensive was a solid component to the postseason berth. Although finishing in the middle of the pack in team average (.259), Lehigh Valley ranked fourth in the IL in runs (599) and third in HR (122) -- which set a new team single-season record (previously 117 in 2011). In addition, the Pigs finished second in the IL in average with runners in scoring position (.284) -- which was .25 points higher than the league average of .259 and also set a franchise record (previously .277 in 2012).

IronPigs fans were treated to watching three of the top four offensive prospects in the system during the season. OF Nick Williams (#2) finished the season ranked in the Top 5 of the IL in runs (78; T-2nd), doubles (33; T-3rd), triples (6; T-4th) and extra-base hits (52; 5th). Although he struggled offensively over the final month of the season, he went an impressive 50 straight games without going hitless in back-to-back affairs from June 2 to July 30.

C Andrew Knapp (#4) was an IL midseason All-Star and hit a game-tying HR in the Triple-A All-Star Game in Charlotte. The 24-year-old finished strong, ending the season with an eight-game hitting streak (11-32, .344-1-5, 4 2B, 3 BB, 5 R).

SS J.P. Crawford (#1) joined the Pigs on May 20 -- and became the youngest Pig ever to appear in a game at 21 years, 130 days (five days younger than Carlos Carrasco in 2008). Aside from flashing terrific talent with the glove, Crawford showed improvement at the plate -- finishing at .269-4-28 over his last 68 games after starting at .163-0-2 through his first 21 games at the Triple-A level.

But it was certainly the veteran players who guided the Pigs offense. Early in the season, the guiding force was 1B Tommy Joseph. In perhaps the "feel good" story of the season, the 24-year-old -- who had battled a series of injuries that cost him 72.0% of possible games over the prior three seasons -- batted .347-6-17 in his first 27 games before getting his first call-up to the Major Leagues on May 13. At the time of his promotion, Joseph led the in IL in average (.347) and OPS (.981) with ranking fifth in XBH (13), tied for fifth in HR (6) and tied for ninth in RBI (17).

The Pigs saw tremendous growth from their other IL midseason All-Star, OF Cam Perkins, who registered the game-winning RBI in the midsummer classic. The 25-year-old versitile outfielder finished 12th in the IL in batting (.294) -- sporting a .324-1-11 line over his last 28 games.

In addition to getting solid performances from 3B Taylor Featherson (.254-13-31), OF Cedric Hunter (.294-10-53) and 1B Brock Stassi (.267-12-58), the Pigs offense was powered by OF Darin Ruf. After joining the Pigs from Philadelphia on May 16, the 30-year-old went on to bat .294-20-65 over 95 games and finished with the IL's top slugging percentage (.529). With 20 HR, he clouted the fifth-highest, single-season total in franchise history. Ruf also sported a 16-game hitting streak from Aug. 15-30 (.397-5-15, 4 2B) -- the longest of his career and for Lehigh Valley in 2016. Unfortunately for the Pigs, he was recalled by the Phillies on Sept. 2 -- which precluded his presence for the IL playoffs.

The season provided several memorable moments, as well. On April 24, the Pigs notched a 5-3 win at Pawtucket which gave them a 0.5-game lead in the North Division -- the first time they held sole possession of the top spot in 1,375 days and since July 19, 2012. On June 11, the Pigs scored a franchise record-tying 16 runs in a 16-1 home romp over Durham for their largest margin of victory all-time. On June 14, Lehigh Valley erased a 6-2 deficit at home with a five-run, bottom of the ninth inning against Gwinnett for a 7-6 win and its largest ninth-inning comeback in franchise history.

Then, in their Wild Card clinching victory on Sept. 2, the combination of Lively (6.0 IP), LHP Joely Rodriguez (2.0 IP) and LHP Elvis Araujo (1.0 IP) came within one out of recording the first no-hitter in IronPigs history in a 7-1 win.

Overall, 611,015 fans frequented Coca-Cola Park during the 2016 regular season. Since their inception in 2008, the Pigs have surpassed 600,000 fans annually in each of their first nine seasons -- the longest active streak in Minor League Baseball.