The 2019 MLB Postseason began earlier this week with the NL and AL Wild Card Games, and the Division Series games begin tonight. The Flying Squirrels' parent club, the San Francisco Giants, missed out on this year's playoffs, but there are still a handful of former Squirrels to pull for
The 2019 MLB Postseason began earlier this week with the NL and AL Wild Card Games, and the Division Series games begin tonight. The Flying Squirrels' parent club, the San Francisco Giants, missed out on this year's playoffs, but there are still a handful of former Squirrels to pull for in this year's Postseason.
MATT DUFFY (TAMPA BAY RAYS) - 2014 FLYING SQUIRRELS
The Rays clinched a Wild Card berth and topped the Athletics on Wednesday night, advancing to face the Astros in the ALDS. Their Postseason roster includes Matt Duffy, who was the Flying Squirrels' MVP in 2014. In his 97 games that year, Duffy hit .332, best in the Eastern League and the team's franchise record for the highest batting average. He also posted a .398 on-base percentage, second-best in the team's history, and ranks third with his .842 OPS from that year. Duffy is also the most recent Flying Squirrels player to be named an Eastern League Season-Ending All-Star. He went on to debut with the Giants in the majors on August 1, 2014. Now in his third season with the Rays, Duffy missed half of the season while recovering from an injury. He found his stride in his final 15 games of the year, hitting .359.
ADAM DUVALL (ATLANTA BRAVES) - 2013 FLYING SQUIRRELS
Once an annual tradition, the Braves won the NL East for the second straight year and will face the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLDS, which begins tonight. Atlanta's roster for the series includes Adam Duvall, who was the Opening Day third baseman for the Flying Squirrels in 2013, hitting .252 with 58 RBIs in 105 games. He also clubbed 17 homers, tied for third-most in a season in franchise history, and his .465 slugging percentage is third-best all-time. Duvall began 2019 with Triple-A Gwinnett and was named the Stripers' MVP for the year, and he appeared in 41 big league games beginning in late-July.
Braves infielder Charlie Culberson, who played for the Flying Squirrels in 2011, is sidelined for the remainder of the year after suffering a fractured cheekbone when he was hit by a pitch in September.
HUNTER STRICKLAND (WASHINGTON NATIONALS) - 2014 FLYING SQUIRRELS
The Nationals topped the Brewers in the NL Wild Card Game on Tuesday and will face the Dodgers in the NLDS. 2014 Flying Squirrels pitcher Hunter Strickland was included on the team's roster for the Wild Card game. With Richmond, Strickland made 38 relief appearances, posting a 2.02 ERA with 48 strikeouts over 35.2 innings while also picking up 11 saves. After signing as a free agent with the Mariners last offseason, Strickland was traded to Washington at the deadline in July. He appeared in 24 games out of the Nationals' bullpen this year.
JOE BIAGINI (HOUSTON ASTROS) - 2015 FLYING SQUIRRELS
The Astros won the AL West for the third straight year and are looking for their second World Series title in that stretch. They picked up 2015 Flying Squirrels pitcher Joe Biagini in a deal with the Blue Jays just before the trade deadline in July, and he pitched in 13 games with Houston. Biagini is not expected to be named to the Astros' ALDS roster, but MLB.com's Brian McTaggart reported that he will continue playing catch if the Astros need to add a pitcher during the series or in forthcoming series if they advance. Biagini led the Flying Squirrels with a 2.42 ERA in 2015, the third-best in a season in franchise history, and was named the team's Pitcher of the Year. He is one of just nine pitchers in the franchise's history to collect ten wins in a season.
EHIRE ADRIANZA (MINNESOTA TWINS) - 2012-13 FLYING SQUIRRELS
The Twins won the AL Central for the first time since 2010 and will face the New York Yankees in the ALDS. 2012-13 Flying Squirrels infielder Ehire Adrianza played 83 games for the Twins this year, but he has been out with an oblique strain since mid-September. His inclusion on the ALDS roster will depend on his health status. Adrianza holds the Flying Squirrels record for the highest fielding percentage by a shortstop in a season (.982 in 2013). He was Richmond's Opening Day shortstop in 2012 and 2013.
