SAL1 Hagerstown Suns

Nationals' Minor League System Fourth Best In Baseball

Published on May 7, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hagerstown Suns News Release


Since Jim Bowden was named General Manager of the Washington Nationals, the club has been praised for their drafting strategy. That strategy is beginning to bear fruit in 2008.

The Nationals Minor League system currently has the fourth best combined record in baseball. Double-A Harrisburg and High-A Potomac led the Eastern and Carolina Leagues respectively. Class "A" Hagerstown is just 4.5 games out of the South Atlantic League Northern division lead, and Triple-A Columbus has won five straight games to boost their record to a respectable 18-15.

The Hagerstown Suns have used a powerful line-up to carry them to a 14-16 record. Michael Burgess leads the team and the South Atlantic League with eight home runs. As a team, the Suns are second in the SAL with 30 long balls.

First basemen Bill Rhinehart is fifth in the SAL with a team-leading .345 batting average. Rhinehart also leads the club and South Atlantic League in RBI with 31.

The young Suns pitching staff has been through its ups and downs. Terrence Engles led the Suns with three wins before recently being promoted to Potomac. Right-hander Jeff Mandel leads the current starters with a 2-1 record and 28 strikeouts.

Kyle Gunderson and Martin Beno have led the Suns out of the bullpen. Gunderson has made ten appearances and given up only two runs. Beno leads the team with three saves.

It has been an exciting yet grueling first month of the season for the Suns. The team began the season with a 14 inning victory on opening day. The Suns then had to play 14 innings in their home opener with two seven inning games on Saturday, April 12. Hagerstown pulled off another victory after 14 innings of baseball in Greensboro on April 24.

The Suns are 3-5 versus the Delmarva Shorebirds (Baltimore Orioles affiliate), a team they will face 15 more times this season.

The Texas Rangers' Minor League system has the highest winning percentage, followed by the New York Yankees and the Oakland Athletics. Three of the Rangers four affiliates are currently leading their league, and all four teams have won more than half their games.

The Suns just completed an 8-game homestand and the team is set to begin an 8-game road trip tomorrow versus the West Virginia Power and Lexington Legends.

The Hagerstown Suns play at Municipal Stadium in Hagerstown, MD and are a Class "A" affiliate of the Washington Nationals. Ticket packages and sponsorships are available by calling the Suns at 301-791-6266. Visit the Suns on the web at www.hagerstownsuns.com. The Suns are owned by Los Angeles based Mandalay Baseball Properties.

Check out the Hagerstown Suns Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



South Atlantic League Stories from May 7, 2008


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central