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Well, this is it, the final minor league game of the 2021 season.
We’ll only be away from updates for about 10 days, though, as we will resume coverage of the system when the Arizona Fall League fires up and takes us into November.
For now, this is it. Depending on how much coverage we’ll give to the White Sox postseason run — and it will be a ton, as long as they’re alive — we may fill some of the gap until AFL play with Darren Black’s season recaps for each affiliate. He and Brett will have companion podcasts to go with each team wrap, but those definitely will not run until after the White Sox season is finished.
Oh, and Brett will also put together some sort of Organizational All-Stars post reflecting your votes all year, and name Player and Pitcher of the Year. Who knows, tonight’s vote could make a difference!
On behalf of all of our minors writers — Darren Black, Julie Brady, Joe Resis, Brett Ballantini, Zach Hayes, and even little ol’ me — thanks for reading and participating in our polling this season. It might have been the worst-ever, record-wise, for the organization. But we had some surprises, and a little bit of fun along the way.
Starting in November, it’s WSM’s Deep Dive series, which will be a precursor to our Top 100 Prospect countdown. By the time the countdown is over, it’ll be Opening Day!
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Fitting, a loss to end the season. Actually, fitting would have been some 10-4 blowout, because this Charlotte Knights team, despite some legit MLB talent, was really bad in 2021.
Charlotte broke out to a 3-0 lead, thanks to a Danny Mendick and Romy González leading off the game with back-to-back homers, and later a Romy sac fly. But Kaleb Roper gave the lead away in the sixth — well, an error from González helped — as Memphis rallied to tie. Is “gave away” harsh? Well, it was a single, walk, walk sandwiched around two outs that set up the first run from the Redbirds, when Roper hit Luken Baker with a pitch and knocked him out of the game. Hell of a way to earn your last RBI of the season, kid. Then, González’s error brought in not one but two runs. Sheesh.
The game was lost in the eighth, when Anderson Severino surrendered a walk, double and single to allow his first Triple-A run all season. Among guys who played today, Severino and several others had outstanding Knights seasons: John Parke, Romy, Micker Adolfo, Jake Burger, and even veteran Mikie Mahtook.
On the other hand, Blake Rutherford hit his 30th (!) double this year and still boasted just a .690 OPS all year; the White Sox certainly would have liked to see more power. Blake in fact ended the Charlotte season, striking out on four pitches to cap a 1-2-3 Knights whimper into the winter.
Poll
Oh well, it was a rough season for the Knights. Who was today’s MVP?
This poll is closed
-
52%
Danny Mendick: 2-for-4, HR, R, RBI, 2 K
(20 votes) -
15%
Romy González: 1-for-3, HR, R, 2 RBI, SF, E
(6 votes) -
0%
Zach Remillard: 1-for-1, BB
(0 votes) -
15%
Blake Rutherford: 2-for-4, R, 2B, K, CS
(6 votes) -
15%
John Parke: 4 2⁄3 IP, H, BB, 2 K
(6 votes) -
0%
Lane Ramsey: IP, H, 2 K
(0 votes)
Poll
Indeed, it was a rough season for the Knights. Who was today’s Cold Cat?
This poll is closed
-
61%
Jake Burger: 0-for-4, K, 5 LOB, 2 GIDP
(21 votes) -
5%
Nate Nolan: 0-for-3, 3 K, 3 LOB
(2 votes) -
2%
Seby Zavala: 0-for-4, K, LOB, 0-for-1 CS
(1 vote) -
29%
Kaleb Roper: IP, H, 3 R/1 ER, 2 BB, K, HB, BLOWN SAVE
(10 votes) -
0%
Anderson Severino: IP, 2 H, ER, BB, K, LOSS
(0 votes)