2016 was a very peculiar season that saw the Akron RubberDucks look like one of professional baseball’s best teams and also one of its worst. Specifically, Akron stormed to a 37-15 record through the end of May, but went a woeful 8-22 in June and 10-18 in July. As a result, it appeared Akron wouldn’t be playing postseason baseball. However, another shift in momentum to end the season saw the RubberDucks win 18 of 27 in August and close the regular season on a five-game winning streak that clinched first place in the Eastern League Western Division. Akron’s late season success carried over into the postseason, as the RubberDucks only lost one playoff game, and swept Trenton to capture the Eastern League Championship.
MVP
Though many of Akron’s best players in 2016 were either promoted to Columbus mid-season or arrived from Lynchburg in the middle of the year, the one player who offered consistent strong play for the Ducks in 2016 was Nellie Rodriguez. Rodriguez, the team’s first basemen, provided a power bat in the middle of the lineup from the beginning of the season to the end, finishing with a slash line of .250/.352/.474 with a career-high 26 home runs and 85 RBIs in 132 games. Though he struck out in 32% of plate appearances, his high power output coupled with his 13% walk rate make his swing-and-miss tendency easier to get past.
Future Stars
Aside from Rodriguez, Akron featured several players that will very likely get a shot in the MLB. Players like Bradley Zimmer, Adam Plutko, and Shawn Morimando all had very strong starts to the year in Akron, and were later to promoted to Columbus. Morimando debuted with the Indians vs. Toronto on July 2, while Plutko and Zimmer could make their MLB debuts in 2017. On top of that group, former first-round pick Rob Kaminsky pitched the whole year with Akron, and though he got off to a tough start due to injury, Kaminsky was stellar in the second half, going 7-2 with a 2.29 ERA with 46 strikeouts to just 18 walks in 63 innings. Meanwhile, centerfielder Greg Allen was a mid-season promotion who impressed in his limited time with Akron, slashing .290/.399/.441 in 37 games with seven steals, albeit in 13 attempts. Of players who finished the season with Akron, the 23 year-old Allen arguably has the most potential be an MLB regular.
Under Appreciated
Though Kaminsky draws most of the attention due to his high prospect pedigree, he wasn’t the only Akron pitcher to put together a great season. Michael Peoples pitched in Akron for all but one one start in 2016, and put together a 12-6 record with a 3.68 ERA. Clearly, Peoples was a big reason why Akron won the Eastern League championship. While Peoples was under appreciated as a starter, perhaps reliever Louis Head didn’t get the attention he deserved, posting a 2.66 ERA in 67.2 innings, striking out 61 and walking just 18. Head also pitched a perfect ninth inning to record the save that won Akron their championship. From an position player standpoint, shortstop Eric Stamets quietly had a solid offensive campaign, posting a career-high .753 OPS in 69 games in Akron. Regarded as a top defender, most scouts just wanted to see any signs of life from Stamets at the plate, and surely posting a .753 OPS while playing home games in a pitcher’s stadium puts some intrigue around the 24 year-old.
Cause for Concern
Entering the season, Mike Papi, and Eric Haase were considered fringe prospects: both had tools that could translate to the major league level, but also had holes in their game that would need to be improved. For the most part, both had poor seasons. Papi, a former 38th overall pick by the Indians, only could manage a .228/.340/.398 slash line. While Papi demonstrated great plate discipline, walking in 13.8 percent of plate appearances, at age 23, his otherwise mediocre year is concerning. Meanwhile, Haase, a former seventh-round pick, also struggled in his age-23 season. Though he dealt with multiple injuries, he only could slash .208/.265/.438 in 63 games. Haase’s power numbers (.230 ISO) were good in 2016, as they have always been, but for the time being, his low-average paired with his low-walk (6.9 BB%)and high strikeout (30.5 K%) approach really damages his prospect pedigree.
Most Power: Nellie Rodriguez
Best Bat: Bradley Zimmer
Best Wheels: Greg Allen
Best Glove: Eric Stamets
Worst Glove: Joe Sever
Best Control: Julian Merryweather
Best Stuff: Rob Kaminsky
Best Chance to be an MLB Pitcher: Rob Kaminsky
Best Chance to be an MLB Hitter: Bradley Zimmer
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