Clearwater Threshers dominating Florida State League with best winning percentage in minors
The most successful team in affiliated baseball so far this season comes from the Philadelphia Phillies organization.
Sure, the big-league club may sit in fourth place in the National League East, but its Low-A affiliate has been better than any team in baseball.
With a one-hit pitching performance in a victory over Bradenton on Sunday, the Clearwater Threshers improved to 29-10 on the season. That mark gives them a five-game cushion for first place in the Florida State League while improving their winning percentage to .744 — the best of any team in either Major League or Minor League Baseball.
The Threshers’ dominance has been fueled by a staggering 20-4 record on their home field at BayCare Ballpark, at one point winning 16 straight games in Clearwater before that streak was broken this past week.
Clearwater has gotten big offensive contributions from several members of the lineup this season. Gabriel Rincones Jr., a third-round pick from last year, has five home runs, 11 doubles, 17 stolen bases and an .899 OPS in 33 games. Catcher Caleb Ricketts has a .954 OPS in 20 games, and second baseman Otto Kemp has a .907 OPS in 33 games. While his OPS is only .765, 2022 first rounder Justin Crawford is batting .317 with 17 stolen bases. Outfielder Emaarion Boyd has 22 stolen bases.
Alex McFarlane has been the ace of the Threshers pitching staff with a 3.29 ERA in seven starts and 12.84 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has had a few pitchers step up early, with Jack Dallas posting a 0.41 ERA in 14 games and Wesley Moore posting a 0.92 ERA in 13 games. Orion Kerkering started the year with nine scoreless relief appearances before he was promoted to High A.
With the team rolling, Clearwater will hit the road to take on the Port St. Lucie Mets for a six-game series starting Tuesday. At 10-29, the Mets are the worst team in the FSL, leaving the Threshers with a nice opportunity to improve their already impressive record.
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