Pharm Phocus: Williamsport Crosscutters fall to last place
Mar 26, 2014; Clearwater, FL, USA; The Phillie Phanatic performs in a spring training exhibition game between the Detroit Tigers and Philadelphia Phillies at Bright House Field. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports
While in the middle of the pack in the New York-Penn League Pinckney Division for some time, the Williamsport Crosscutters lost nine of their last 13 games and fell to last place to finish their 2014 season.
Williamsport (33-43) had a better record than just one team in the entire New York-Penn League, the Aberdeen IronBirds (27-48).
On Saturday the Crosscutters official website confirmed that they would remain the Philadelphia Phillies Single-A Short Season Affiliate through 2016. Williamsport has produced the following current Phillies: Cody Asche, Darin Ruf, Domonic Brown, Justin DeFratus, Jake Diekman, David Buchanan, Freddy Galvis and Mario Hollands.
The Crosscutters’ top offensive player in 2014 was Jiandido Tromp who was named to the New York-Penn League All-Star Game this season. Tromp’s 69 hits, 14 home runs, 129 total bases, 16 stolen bases, .498 slugging percentage and .823 OPS were all team highs. He was also second in RBIs and walks, while finishing third on the team in batting average, OBP as well as doubles and triples. The outfielder turns 21 at the end of September and stands 5-foot-11, weighing just 175 pounds.
David Whitehead pitched a team-high 74 innings and had a 4-4 record. He was one of three Cutters to start 13 games. The right-hander recorded 43 strikeouts and finished with a 2.19 ERA.
Leading the team in saves was Calvin Rayburn with 9. In 22 games Rayburn went 2-1 with a 1.23 ERA, recording 16 strikeouts along the way.
From the Phillies top 20 prospect list, five saw action with Williamsport in 2014. The most notable of these being the eight and nine ranked players, Deivi Grullon and Cord Sandberg.
The Phillies organization may have been a bit too ambitious about Grullon’s capabilities seeing as the 18-year-old catcher began the year with Clearwater and then Lakewood before playing in 53 games with Williamsport. He batted .223 and drove in 18 runs.
Like Grullon, Sandberg is still a teenager. Just 19, the outfielder hit six home runs in 66 games this season and drove in 24 runs. He was a preseason rank of 12 on the Phillies top 20 prospects list, but is currently in the nine spot.
The Williamsport Crosscutters have been a Philadelphia Phillies since 2007. There was also a previous affiliation with Williamsport from 1958 until 1962.