- RHP Erick Mejia re-signed, assigned to Rochester
- C Rodrigo Garcia released (DSL)
- LHP Alejandro Vera released (DSL)
And, I guess for the sake of consistency and posterity…
The 2025 Rochester Red Wings
After flirting with a winning season in 2024, the Red Wings reverted to the mean in 2025, finishing dead last in the first half, 8th in the second half, and the worst overall record.
You’ll be surprised to learn—or at least I was—Rochester was not the oldest team in the league on either side of the ball. In fact, the batters were a full year younger (25.3 vs. 26.3) while the pitchers were a few months younger (26.9 vs. 27.3) than the league averages.
Alas, you will not surprised to learn those pitchers were the worst in the International League by more than a full run per game (6.12 vs. 4.94) – and probably but for the altitudes in the PCL from being the worst in AAA. The offense was actually a little better than the league average (5.06 R/G) but the defense was among the lower fifth of the league (.977 vs. .980).
None of this to say that there aren’t some guys worth noting for 2026. Like two years ago, there are three (3!) who are likely maintain watchlist and/or notable status:
- Yohandy Morales .249/.330/.401, 11HR, 46BB in 95G
- Andrew Pinckney .269/.348/.430, 20HR, 34SB in 125G
- Christian Franklin .272/.390/.427, 80BB in in 117G
It’s not difficult to see what might be holding these guys back. Morales doesn’t quite have the power of your typical 1B/DH. Pinckney is blocked by James Wood as his OF defense is well below Crews and Young in CF/RF. Franklin has been added to the 40-man so he’s obviously the closest of the trio to making it to The Show, but is behind Robert Hassell and Daylen Lile on the depth chart.
Still, it’s not the worst thing that there are more than two guys we can legitimately point to after having none or one for most of the last decade (2016-2022, 2024). Folks interested in seeing the full team statistics can find them here. Pitching data can be found here.