The Aces Kept Hitting During 2023’s Historic Season at the Plate

RENO, Nev. – The Reno Aces record-setting 2023 campaign took center stage at the plate as the club’s offense dominated the Pacific Coast League throughout the season by setting club records in batting average (.303), runs (1,043), hits (1,570), RBI (984), walks (815), and on-base percentage (.401).

Unsurprisingly, the BLC Nine started its historic season with an emphatic bang. The Aces scored 30 runs in an opening series victory over the Las Vegas Aviators at Greater Nevada Field, debuting Triple-A’s most potent offense. Phillip Evans kicked off his record-setting April with six hits, including two doubles, a homer, seven runs driven in, and a walk in his first 11 plate appearances.

Evans set the Aces April record in batting average (.455) and runs (27) while winning the PCL’s Player of the Month award. The 31-year-old from Southern California was a staple in the heart of the order, leading the team in games (128), plate appearances (590), hits (150) and RBI (88).

The “next man up” mentality seeped through Reno’s clubhouse for 2023. The team seemingly had a new hero every night as eight different Aces hitters posted an OPS of .900 or higher (min. 80 plate appearances). Outfielder Dominic Canzone was utterly overwhelming for opposing pitchers, hitting .354/.431/.634 with 16 homers in 71 games before an eventual trade to the Seattle Mariners at the deadline.

Canzone was one of five Aces hitters to win PCL Player of the Week, joining Jake McCarthy (2x), Pavin Smith, Tristin English, and Dominic Fletcher. Reno also enjoyed fantastic brief runs from the uber-talented Alek Thomas (.927 OPS in 26 games), defensive stalwart Emmanuel Rivera (17 extra-base hits in 28 games), and top prospect Jordan Lawlar (5 HR in 16 games).

Kyle Lewis' continued dominance may take the cake for as many standouts as there were in the Aces lineup. Lewis led the PCL in batting average (.371), OPS (1.098), and wRC+ (164) among those with at least 250 plate appearances. Lewis delivered a remarkable stretch where he went 31-for-71 with three doubles, eight homers, 15 walks, and 27 runs driven in between July 15th and August 12th. The former American League Rookie of the Year was tied for the team lead in homers (17) despite appearing in just 63 games.

The Aces were just one win away from a PCL Championship berth due to contributions across the entire roster. The Diamondbacks promoted two key pieces from Double-A Amarillo in Tristin English and Adrian Del Castillo, further enhancing an already lethal lineup. English blasted 17 home runs for Reno and finished the season fourth in Arizona’s Minor League system in OPS (.938), behind only Lewis, Canzone, and Ryan Bliss. Del Castillo, meanwhile, formed a dynamic catching duo with Ali Sánchez.

Sánchez had a career year at the plate, setting professional highs in batting average (.311), OPS (.866), and homers (11). Aces catchers led the PCL in hits (172), average (.302), and on-base percentage (.383). In a crushing blow, Sánchez suffered a season-ending injury. Del Castillo stepped into a primary role down the stretch and went 10-for-25 with three doubles and a homer in a vital series win over the Salt Lake Bees in mid-September. Whenever the Aces faced adversity with injuries or promotions, someone always filled in for the loss.

Jorge Barrosa moved into the leadoff spot late in the playoff chase due to a season-ending injury to Fletcher, who was enjoying a powerful breakout at the plate. The 22-year-old Barrosa was arguably Reno’s most valuable player in September, combining elite defense in center with a .326 average and .992 OPS over his last 24 games. Reno’s center fielders led Triple-A in on-base percentage (.401) and ranked second in OPS (.885).

Barrosa and Diego Castillo, who drew the most walks in the PCL (97), got on and wreaked havoc from the one and two spots in the lineup over the final few weeks. Castillo led the team in doubles (33) and tied for second among entire season qualifiers in the system in on-base percentage (.431). Smith, who provided perhaps the most memorable swing of the year on the Fourth of July, did everything he could to push the Aces to the playoffs. The former seventh overall pick went 19-for-41 (.463) with three doubles and four homers over his final 10 games with Reno.

The Aces posted jaw-dropping numbers at Greater Nevada Field, leading Minor League Baseball in batting average (.330), OPS (.952), and runs scored (616) in home games. Reno went 45-30 in downtown Reno en route to setting a franchise record for overall wins (88), topping the 2022 PCL Championship winning club (86). English led the team with 10 homers at GNF, while Sánchez posted a 1.014 OPS in 145 plate appearances in the Biggest Little City.

It was an elite season for Reno’s immensely talented offense. The Aces will aim to shatter more long-standing records in 2024.

Season Memberships for the upcoming 2024 Reno Aces, Triple-A affiliate of the 2023 National League Champions Arizona Diamondbacks, campaign is on sale via RenoAces.com, texting “MEMBER” to 21003, or calling (775) 334-7000.

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