2024 Norfolk Tides

[ScGO's]

Emergency reliever depth?

[Frobby]

With Mayo’s promotion, it seems worthwhile to recap the talent that’s passed through Norfolk the last 3 years.  The following players have reached the majors:

Bautista 4/10/22

Bradish 4/29/22

Rutschman 5/21/22

Stowers 6/13/22

Hall 8/13/22

Henderson 8/31/22

Rodriguez 4/5/23

Ortiz 4/27/23

Westburg 6/26/23

Cowser 7/5/23

Kjerstad 9/14/23

Holliday 4/10/24

Norby 6/3/24

Povich 6/6/24

McDermott 6/24/24

Mayo [8/2/24]

I didn’t include above a number of other guys with lower ceilings who also reached the majors.

[e16bball]

Sort of emblematic of the rough patch the entire organization is going through at the moment, the Tides blew a 5-run lead and the win for Charlotte was credited to…Trey McGough.

[orioles22]

That Norfolk lineup doesn't look very strong anymore. I hope this year's draft class can fill some gaps in the next few years.

[Frobby]

3 hours ago, orioles22 said:

That Norfolk lineup doesn't look very strong anymore. 

They scored 5 runs last night, 18 the night before.   They may not have any bona fide prospects remaining, but the older guys there can still hit.   

[Fiver6565]

10 hours ago, orioles22 said:

That Norfolk lineup doesn't look very strong anymore. I hope this year's draft class can fill some gaps in the next few years.

You can’t promote the quantity and quality of players the Os have since 2022, and expect to still have a top notch AAA team. That’s just not remotely realistic. 

[orioles22]

7 hours ago, Fiver6565 said:

You can’t promote the quantity and quality of players the Os have since 2022, and expect to still have a top notch AAA team. That’s just not remotely realistic. 

Yeah, I understand. I said in the next few years.

[Frobby]

So I’ve been puzzling why the defending international League/AAA Champion Norfolk Tides (90-59 in the 2023 regular season) have struggled so much this year (66-78 with a week to play).   Is it the fact that most of last year’s top hitters are either out of the organization or spending large chunks of time in the majors?   Maybe a little, but that’s not the main reason.  

Simply put, last year the Tides allowed the fewest runs in the league (0.64 runs/game below league average), and this year they’re allowing the most runs/game in the league (0.43 runs/game above league average).   That’s 1.07 runs per game worse than last year, relative to the league average.

Even then, it’s a little hard to pin down. The Tides have principally relied on six starters who’ve made 107 starts, and five of the six have been solid to above average.  The only exception has been Justin Arbrueater, who leads the team with 25 starts and 112 IP, but has a brutal 7.75 ERA.  The other five sit between 3.32 and 4.34, in a league where 4.84 ERA is average.  

Interestingly, the major league starters who’ve pitched rehab games did terribly there for the most last. Means 6 starts at 8.68 ERA, Kremer 3 starts at 11.42, Bradish 2 starts at 5.40.   Lots of other guys who made 2-4 starts did poorly.  

Bullpen guys who’ve been particularly bad at include Kade Stroud (7.11 ERA in 35 games), Nick Vespi (7.36 in 27 games), Wandisson Charles (8.42 in 25 games, and Kaleb Ort (12.08 in 14 games).   Carlos Tavera pitched a mix of starts and relief appearances to a 7.47 ERA.

Overall, it’s been a tough year for the Tides staff even though several starting pitchers had solid seasons.  



 

[86this]

Remember when they scored 71 runs in the first 6 games?  They also gave up 42 runs in those same 6 games.  Oh well.