Welcome to the 2024 Second Edition of Leading Off, the official publication of the Reno Aces Baseball Club. This season-long publication will release an updated edition before every homestand. Stay up-to-date with everything happening at Greater Nevada Field, and learn more about the opponent coming to town! Its logos and graphics are trademarks of the Reno Aces. All rights reserved—Aces photos provided by Aces Team Photographer David Calvert.
After a two-week road trip to Tacoma and Salt Lake, the Reno Aces (11-9) return to Greater Nevada Field to host the Sugar Land Space Cowboys (14-7), the Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros, beginning on Tuesday, April 23, for a six-game series.
In 2023, the Aces dominated against Sugar Land, securing victories in nine out of 12 matchups, including five wins at home. The teams are slated to face off an additional 12 times this season, with each club hosting a six-game series. Sugar Land enters Reno after clinching four out of six games against Round Rock last week, kicking off a two-week road trip that includes stops in Reno and El Paso.
Among the Space Cowboys, notable players are top prospects Joey Loperfido and A.J. Blubaugh.
According to MLB Pipeline, Loperfido, the #6 overall prospect in the Astros organization, has been making waves in his first full season in Triple-A Sugar Land. The 24-year-old outfielder boasts an impressive .260/.359/.688 stat line, leading the Pacific Coast League (PCL) with 10 home runs. Additionally, he tops the PCL in total bases (53) and runs scored (21) while ranking second in RBIs (24) and fourth in both SLG (.688) and OPS (1.047). With Loperfido's offensive
prowess on display, a promotion to the majors seems imminent.
Blubaugh, the #2 overall starting pitcher and #8 overall prospect in the Astros system, has recently had his first taste of Triple-A competition and has excelled. The right-hander has started two games for Sugar Land and has allowed just one run in 11.1 innings pitched while punching out fourteen. The former 7th-round pick will be eager to maintain consistency and continue his success in Reno.
Reno enters the series against Sugar Land, riding high after a dominant performance against the Salt Lake Bees, taking five out of six games. While the Aces controlled the first four games, they faced a challenge in the fifth game, where the Bees made a remarkable comeback, clinching a walk-off win. However, Reno rebounded and won the series finale on Sunday. With this momentum behind them, the Aces are poised to carry their winning streak into the upcoming home series against Sugar Land.
During the series against Salt Lake, Andres Chaparro showcased an impressive blend of power and discipline at the plate. He posted a stellar .375 batting average with three home runs and seven RBIs while drawing a team-leading four walks. Chaparro's standout performance was highlighted by two home runs and three RBIs in Sunday's finale, capping off a solid road trip for the power hitter.
Mayor Hillary Schieve has officially declared Wednesday, April 10, 2024, as "Leah Withrow Day" in the City of Reno, honoring Leah for her exceptional contributions to the field of sports turf management. Withrow, the Head Groundskeeper at Greater Nevada Field for the Reno Aces, has been recognized for her unwavering dedication, innovative techniques, and commitment to excellence.
Born and raised in Northern Nevada, Leah Withrow's journey in professional sports began with the Reno Aces organization in 2015 as an intern. She quickly rose through the ranks, seizing opportunities such as a Major League internship with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2016. With a degree in Sports Turf Management from North Dakota State University, Withrow's passion for turf management has been evident since an early age.
Reflecting on this honor, Withrow stated, "I am deeply humbled and honored to receive this recognition from Mayor Hillary Schieve and the City of Reno. This day is a testament to the hard work and dedication of not only myself but also the incredible team at Greater Nevada Field and the Reno Aces organization."
Withrow's leadership and commitment have set a benchmark for excellence in sports field management, earning her widespread recognition, including the prestigious Sport Field Management Association (SFMA) Professional Baseball Field of the Year Award. She attributes much of her success to the mentorship of Eric Blanton and Joe Hill, previous Head Groundskeepers at the Reno Aces.
After dropping the series in Tacoma, the Reno Aces (11-9) traveled to Salt Lake, home of the Bees (7-14), to wrap up their two-week-long road trip. The BLC-Nine was in control for the first four games and held the lead for the majority of the fifth game before allowing Salt Lake to clinch a walk-off win. However, Reno rebounded and came out on top in the finale on Sunday to finish a productive series.
Reno's offense outscored Salt Lake 38-23 and slashed a robust .306/.363/.482. The home runs were less abundant than in 2024, but the Aces registered 19 doubles against the Bees. They hit six home runs, three of which came off the bat of Andres Chaparro.
The pitching staff held their own, posting a combined 3.69 ERA with 66 strikeouts in 53.2 innings pitched.
Slade Cecconi dominated on the mound in Tuesday's 5-1 victory, earning his second win. The 24-year-old right-hander dazzled, allowing just one run, and tallying six strikeouts across six innings. Following his standout performance, Cecconi received a call-up to the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he started Sunday's game against the San Francisco Giants. Tuesday's win was further highlighted by Tristin English's standout performance at the plate, notching three hits, including a crucial two-run homer off Andrew Wantz.
Andres Chaparro positively impacted the Aces' offense, going 9-for-24 (.375) with three of Reno's six home runs and seven RBIs. Chaparro emerged as the hero in Sunday's finale, sealing the victory with his second home run in the eighth inning.
Ronaldo Hernandez had a standout series, making a significant impact with his bat. In Friday's 4-0 victory, he notched his first home run of the season—a three-run blast-off Kenny Rosenberg. Hernandez continued his impressive performance throughout the series, finishing with a 5-for-13 (.385) batting average and tallying five RBIs.
Christian Montes De Oa made an immediate impact after joining the Aces from Double-A Amarillo. The towering six-foot-four righty made his first appearance as an Ace on Friday, coming out in the eighth inning and securing a two-inning save, marking the first save of his Triple-A career. Montes De Oca followed up with another stellar outing in Sunday's contest, earning his second save of the series. The 24-year-old flamethrower boasts a flawless 0.00 ERA through 3.0 innings pitched, recording four strikeouts while issuing zero walks.
The roars pierced the walls of the Grand Sierra Resort at the Reno Aces pre-season event, with the introduction of Jorge Barrosa, as loyal fans let out a cheer you only hear after a game-changing play at Greater Nevada Field.
The 23-year-old is a magnetic Venezuelan who plays centerfield with joy and a passion you can feel from the stands. He smiled brightly and waved. Last season, he captured this group like a fly ball in the gap.
Only a few days into the 2024 season, the roster announcement changed Barrosa as his dream of becoming a major-league ballplayer for the Arizona Diamondbacks became a reality.
Barrosa took his bat, glove, and extremely likable personality to Phoenix last week for his MLB debut. In his first at-bat, he hit a ground-rule double.
"I was excited… I was a little nervous," Barrosa said, "for sure, I was nervous, but by the time I stepped in the box, it was like that's what I've been doing all my life."
"My mind was clear at that moment."
Before the three games, he thought back to learning to love baseball in a small town in Venezuela and his incredible journey to playing for the Arizona Diamondbacks at just 23 years old.
"I was thinking about playing in Puerto Cabello, where I come from, and it's like wow, It's a big change," he said, "In that moment, I say thanks to God and thanks to the people who helped me get here."
He understands that making his MLB debut is the dream rather than the goal.
"The goal is not to be there," he said, "You want to stay there and play there for a long time."
Audrey Jade Hope Sullenger was rushed to the hospital in May 2011 at just three days old. Although paramedics were able to restart her heart, she was declared brain dead after 48 hours. Her mother, Felicia Hill, decided to donate Audrey’s organs, which saved two lives.
Audrey’s cause of death remains unknown, and Hill believes her daughter was born to save lives. Her heart saved the life of then 3-week-old Addison McArthur, and her kidneys saved 38-year-old Hydee Efondo Lim.
“When I was approached by Donor Network West to see if I was willing to donate Audrey’s organs, it was an immediate yes––I knew the good that could come out of it,” said Hill. “We’re continuing to educate people on what Audrey was able to do with her tiny life 13 years later. It brings so much peace and comfort knowing that her life wasn’t lost for no reason.”
Hill and her two daughters, Olivia and Moriah, will honor Audrey by running the bases during the second inning at the Reno Aces’ Home Run for Life game, presented by Donor Network West, Friday, April 26, 2024, at Greater Nevada Field as the Reno Aces take on the Sugar Land Cowboys.
As a longtime Donor Network West ambassador, Hill uses her platform to destigmatize organ donation by sharing her daughter’s story and legacy.
One donor can save up to eight lives through organ donation and heal up to 75 lives through tissue donation.
Donor Network West, northern Nevada’s only federally designated nonprofit organ procurement organization, is proud to support Home Run for Life baseball games during the Reno Aces’ 2024 season. Now in its third season, the partnership brings critical awareness about organ donation to the northern Nevada community, especially with nearly 700 Nevadans on the national waiting list hoping to receive life-saving organs.
“Audrey has deeply impacted the northern Nevada community through her legacy,” said Janice Whaley, president and CEO of Donor Network West. “It is an honor to recognize her and the decision her family made to give the gift of life to others. Donor Network West is proud to partner with the Reno Aces to commemorate northern Nevada’s donors and donor families.”
Six times per season, the Home Run for Life game series honors a northern Nevada community member who has either received a life-saving transplant, lost a loved one who gave the gift of life through organ donation or helped provide support and healing to those impacted by organ, eye and tissue donation.