Season Recap: 2024 Asheville Tourists
ASHEVILLE- The Asheville Tourists have officially wrapped up the 2024 regular season. Before we move forward into preparations for next year’s Tourists Home Opener, April 8th, 2025, we first glance back at the 2024 campaign. It was a season that brought with it a record-setting 14 home sellout crowds, a
ASHEVILLE- The Asheville Tourists have officially wrapped up the 2024 regular season. Before we move forward into preparations for next year’s Tourists Home Opener, April 8th, 2025, we first glance back at the 2024 campaign. It was a season that brought with it a record-setting 14 home sellout crowds, a season filled with memorable victories, and a season that had no shortage of significant and historical moments.
It all started with the 100-year anniversary celebration of Asheville’s home ballpark, McCormick Field. The centennial was highlighted by the April 3, 2024 Exhibition Contest that took place 100 years to the day of the first ever game played at 30 Buchanan Place’s legendary grounds.
Also, the first ever “five-double” game in the history of professional baseball was recorded by Asheville’s John Garcia in a home contest on June 5th. Garcia doubled in each of his first five at-bats, made history, and led Asheville to an 18-8 win over the Bowling Green Hot Rods. The 18 runs the Tourists scored as well as the 19 team hits were both single-game season-highs. Garcia went on to win the South Atlantic League’s Player of the Month in June.
Tourists Pitcher Jake Bloss accomplished something that had not been done in over 60 years. Jake began the year on the Tourists, was promoted to Double-A, then made his Major League debut on June 21st. Bloss is the first player to appear for the Tourists at the Single-A level and make his MLB debut in the same season since 1962. The most recent occurrence happened 52 years ago, in 1972, when Asheville was a Double-A affiliate.
Manager Nate Shaver earned his 200th win as Asheville’s head man and at the end of the season moved into a tie for the sixth most wins as a Tourists skipper with 218 victories. Shaver is five wins away from passing Cal Ripken Sr. for fifth place on the Tourists Managerial All-Time Wins List.
Most recently, at the end of August, the official Groundbreaking of the McCormick Field Centennial Restoration and Capital Improvements Project took place. Asheville’s home ballpark is now in renovation mode.
One of the things we must do when recapping a full-season is look beyond the numbers. Statistics do not always tell the whole story. Yes, the Tourists finished the 2024 season with a 51-79 overall record; 25-39 at home and 26-40 on the road, and missed the playoffs for the eighth straight season. However, Asheville finished fourth in the league in team batting average (.234) and drastically improved their team ERA from a 5.74 clip last year to a 5.11 mark this year.
The Tourists did not have a winning record against any of the teams in the SAL but did post an impressive 8-9 record against playoff bound Greensboro. Asheville’s longest win streak this year was four games (May 16-21) and their largest margin of victory came in a 13-1 win over Greenville on May 4.
Nearly 60% of Asheville’s victories this year, 30 out of the 51, were come-from-behind wins. An astounding 53 Tourists games this season were decided by either one or two runs — that many close contests and comeback wins truly paints the picture of how well this club competed day in and day out.
The Tourists roster remained fluid throughout the year as 58 different players suited up for at least one game with Asheville. Ryan Johnson appeared in 105 games. That paced the team and Ryan’s 14 Home Runs were tied for the second most by an Asheville player.
Cam Fisher became only the third Tourists player in the last two decades to hit three Home Runs in a game. The feat occurred on April 17th vs Rome. Fisher also set a Tourists single-game season-high for runs batted in with six.
One of the leaders of the Asheville offense this season was Luis Baez. As the youngest member of the Tourists for most of the year, Baez’s 20 Home Runs not only matched his age but paced the club and ranked second in the league. Baez also finished among the SAL leaders in RBI (67, 1st), Hits (100, 7th), Total Bases (182, 3rd), Slugging Percentage (.479, 5th), and Batting Average (.263, 9th).
Garcia and Austin Deming also posted strong statistics in the SAL; however, both barely fell out of consideration for the final rankings during the last week of the season. Garcia’s .293 average would have been good for second in the league and Deming’s .264 mark would have slotted into the top ten.
Starting Pitchers Nic Swanson and Edinson Batista both finished in the league’s top ten in multiple categories. Swanson posted the sixth best ERA and fourth-best WHIP among qualified pitchers. Nic’s 115 strikeouts not only led the Tourists, but ranked as the sixth most of any SAL pitcher this year. During a start at Greensboro, Swanson struck out seven consecutive batters. Batista placed seventh in the South Atlantic League in ERA and second in WHIP. Edinson finished with the second most innings pitched (115) and held opponents to a .221 batting average, also second best in the league.
Several other starting pitchers put together strong campaigns, both with Asheville and across other levels. Manuel Urias, Jackson Nezuh, and Derek True were all dominant at times. Jose Guedez was elite until an injury prematurely ended his campaign. Joey Mancini, Trey Dombroski, James Hicks, and Ethan Pecko all earned promotions to Double-A after making multiple starts with Asheville.
In the relief pitching department, Railin Perez, Jeremy Molero, Franny Cobos, and Kelly Austin were major strengths. The four right-handers combined for a 13-5 record and a sub-four ERA. Wilmy Sanchez and Alejandro Torres also posted excellent numbers out of the Asheville bullpen during their stints with the Tourists.
Asheville’s offense had so many contributors throughout the season. The balanced attack seemed to feature a different standout every game. A few familiar standouts were Luis Encarnacion, Narbe Cruz, and Garret Guillemette. Encarnacion hit two of the three Grand Slams at McCormick Field and the trio combined for 28 Home Runs and 135 RBI.
Oliver Carrillo and Anthony Sherwin both began the season in Single-A Fayetteville, then earned early promotions to Asheville. The duo each finished with an OPS north of .700 and played multiple positions defensively.
Brice Matthews, Pascanel Ferreras, Collin Price, Jeron Williams, and Logan Cerny all spent part of the year with the Tourists. Prior to their promotions, these individuals were a big reason why Asheville ranked among the top offensive units in the SAL. Cerny ended the year as the Tourists leader in runs scored (57) and stolen bases (26).
As with each passing season the Tourists family grew again in 2024. New players, new coaches, new staff members, and new fans all joined the legacy this organization embodies. We thank the entire 2024 group of Asheville Tourists for the effort they put forth in representing the Asheville community both on and off the field.
The Centennial Year of Historic McCormick Field was the latest chapter in another memorable season of Asheville Tourists Baseball. Who is ready for Chapter 101?
Nate Shaver to Manage the Tourists in '25
ASHEVILLE— The Houston Astros have named the Asheville Tourists Coaching Staff for the 2025 season and Nate Shaver will serve as the Tourists Manager for the fifth consecutive year. The Tourists are set to span a half decade of stability and player development under Shaver’s leadership.
John Garcia Named South Atlantic League All-Star
ASHEVILLE- Minor League Baseball has announced its 2024 High Class-A League Award winners and All-Stars. The Asheville Tourists had one representative chosen, John Garcia, who received more votes than any other catcher in the South Atlantic League.
Hudson Valley Spoils Urias' Gem, Clinches Playoffs
WAPPINGERS FALLS, NY – The Asheville Tourists had their sights set on a victory with a two-run lead and two outs in the bottom of the ninth. The win slipped through their fingers and even though Asheville came up short, the fight from this group continues to show up night
Asheville Tourists Release 2025 Schedule
ASHEVILLE- The schedule for the Asheville Tourists 2025 season is official. The Tourists Home Opener set for April 8, 2025 versus the Greenville Drive. Asheville will also play at home on July 4, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day Weekend, and Labor Day Weekend. Opening Day is officially April 4 with the
Tourists Held without a Run, Lose Sixth Straight Road Game
ASHEVILLE- The Asheville Tourists were shut out by the Hudson Valley Renegades 3-0 on Wednesday night and suffered their sixth straight loss away from home. Nic Swanson built on his August Player of the Month Award with five brilliant innings pitched.
Renegades Walk Tourists Off in First Ever Matchup
WAPPINGERS FALLS, NY- Tuesday was a night full of firsts. Despite the South Atlantic League’s new makeup of teams beginning in 2021, last night was the first ever game played between the Asheville Tourists and the Hudson Valley Renegades.
Swanson, Gomez Take Home Astros' August Honors
ASHEVILLE- The Houston Astros announced their August Minor League Player and Pitcher of the Month for August and Asheville’s Kenni Gomez and Nic Swanson were the two recipients. Both Gomez and Swanson were among the best in the South Atlantic League as well as within the Astros Minor League ranks.
Blues Receive Grand Slam from Encarnacion in 10-4 Loss
ASHEVILLE- The Asheville Blues’ Luis Encarnacion hit a Grand Slam on Saturday night but it was not enough against the Hickory Crawdads. Hickory built a 9-0 lead and the Tourists eventually fell by a final score of 10-4.
Encarnacion Walks Tourists Off in the 11th
ASHEVILLE- The Asheville Tourists knocked off the Hickory Crawdads 4-3 in 11 innings on Friday night in front of another sold out crowd at McCormick Field. Luis Encarnacion belted a deep RBI walk-off single in the bottom of the 11th inning that plated Fernando Caldera from third base. An elated
Swanson and Pena Silence Crawdads in 6-1 Win
ASHEVILLE- The Asheville Tourists rode their pitching duo of Nic Swanson and Alain Pena to a 6-1 victory over the Hickory Crawdads Thursday night. Swanson dealt five innings and Pena followed with four scoreless frames. The two right-handers held Hickory to a total of one run and four hits.
Crawdads Top Tourists 11-9 Despite Guillemette's Four Hits
ASHEVILLE- The Asheville Tourists celebrated Travel & Hospitality Night at McCormic Field in their Wednesday evening contest against the Hickory Crawdads. Asheville fell behind early but roared back late. The comeback attempt came up a couple runs short and Hickory prevailed with an 11-9 win.
City of Asheville and Asheville Tourists Officially Break Ground at McCormick Field
McCormick Field has served as a baseball mainstay for 100 years and will begin its newest chapter of entertainment due to overwhelming support from the City of Asheville, Asheville Tourists, Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, and many community partners and leaders.
Batista's Strong Start Not Enough to Snap Skid
ASHEVILLE- The Asheville Tourists fell to the Hickory Crawdads 7-0 in Tuesday night’s series opener at McCormick Field. Asheville’s starting pitcher, Edinson Batista, delivered a quality start and Franny Cobos struck out five batters down the stretch.
Tourists Drop Fourth Straight, Fall 5-4 to Greensboro
GREENSBORO- A two-week road trip came to an end on Sunday afternoon and for the Asheville Tourists it was not the finish they were hoping for. Asheville led the Greensboro Grasshoppers 4-2 going into the eighth inning; however, Greensboro plated three runs in the bottom of the eighth and bested
Swanson Ties Season-High with Nine Strikeouts
GREENSBORO- The Greensboro Grasshoppers have nightmares about Asheville’s right-handed pitcher Nic Swanson. The Bixby, Oklahoma native has dismantled Greensboro’s offense on multiple occasions during his Asheville Tourists career. Friday night was more of the same. Unfortunately, the Tourists offense was non-existent and Asheville suffered a 4-0 loss.
Late Miscues Cost Tourists a Third Straight Win
GREENSBORO- The Asheville Tourists built a 4-1 lead on the Greensboro Grasshoppers across Thursday night’s first seven innings. However, in the bottom of the eighth inning Greensboro worked four walks and took advantage of a dropped a fly ball. The Grasshoppers tallied four runs in the frame and won 5-4.
Fast Start Pulls Tourists Through to Victory
GREENSBORO- The Asheville Tourists jumped out to a fast start against the Greensboro Grasshoppers on Wednesday night. Asheville plated five runs in the first two innings and held on to win 5-3. The Tourists outhit the Grasshoppers 11 to 4 and for the second straight game held Greensboro to one
Six-Run Inning Lifts Tourists to Much Needed Win
GREENSBORO- The Asheville Tourists snapped a three-game skid with an impressive 6-1 victory over the Greensboro Grasshoppers on Tuesday night. The Tourists pitching trio of Derek True, Franny Cobos, and Railin Perez held Greensboro to only one run on four hits.
Emperors Eke Out Double-Header Sweep
ROME- Luis Encarnacion, Walker Janek, and Garret Guillemette all parked Home Runs on Sunday in one of the most difficult hitter’s ballparks in the South Atlantic League; AdventHealt Stadium in Rome, Georgia. Encarnacion even hit two of them. Despite the hard-fought effort, the Rome Emperors received just enough timely breaks
Cruz Homers and Doubles in 5-4 Win at Rome
ROME- The Asheville Tourists and the Rome Emperors battled throughout a close game Thursday night. With the score tied 4-4 in the top of the eighth, Garret Guillemette delivered an RBI single to put the Tourists in front 5-4. That lead held up over the final frames and Asheville claimed
Tourists Suffer Crushing Loss to Emperors in Extra Innings
ROME- The Asheville Tourists’ extra-inning struggles continued Wednesday night with their fifth consecutive post nine-inning loss. Asheville has not scored their automatic runner from second base in a single inning in any of those five games — eight total innings. The Rome Emperors took advantage and scored their automatic runner
Gomez Singles, Scores in His Tourists Debut
ROME- The Asheville Tourists began their 12-game road trip Tuesday night with a contest against the Rome Emperors. The Tourists jumped out to an early 1-0 lead, but were held scoreless the rest of the way. Rome’s offense had just enough firepower to take the lead and hold on for
Tourists Celebrate Sunday Walk-Off Win over Hot Rods
ASHEVILLE- The Asheville Tourists trailed the Bowling Green Hot Rods 6-3 with only four outs left on Sunday. Asheville recorded back-to-back hits in the eighth that netted a run, then came through with three runs in the ninth for a wild 7-6 walk-off win in front of the home crowd.
Langford Strong in his First Tourists Start
ASHEVILLE- The Asheville Tourists dropped a tough contest to the Bowling Green Hot Rods on Saturday night by a final of 4-1. Asheville held Bowling Green’s offense to only two hits in the game; however, the Hot Rods plated a couple unearned runs and held the Tourists bats in check.