← 2012 • 2014

2013

The American Association trotted out the same 13-team lineup as they did in 2012, forcing the league to once again engage in interleague play with the Can-Am League to balance the schedule. However, change would be on the horizon, as in September 2012, a new ballpark was approved in El Paso—but not for the Diablos. In 2014, Triple-A baseball would be coming to West Texas, leaving a lame-duck 2013 as the final season for the Diablos and American Association baseball in the West Texas town of El Paso.

Fargo-Moorhead outlasted archrival Winnipeg for the North Division crown, while Wichita posted a then-league-record 68 wins, though Gary SouthShore took second and the wild card berth. The South was the best race, where Amarillo and Laredo were leading much of the way. However, the Lemurs finished the season 3-6 (with a cancellation) on a three-city, Can-Am road trip and Amarillo went 2-5 through Fargo-Moorhead and Sioux Falls in the season’s final week. Grand Prairie, meanwhile, won their final six games to steal the South by 1.5 games over Laredo and two games over Amarillo.

In the postseason, Wichita pulled off the staggering feat of shutting out Grand Prairie in all three games (combined score: 21-0) to sweep the AirHogs, while Gary SouthShore also flexed strong pitching, allowing just five runs in a four-game series win over Fargo-Moorhead. In the Finals, the RailCats ambushed the Wichita pitching staff with 50 hits (none of them homers) and 26 runs in a four-game set. Gary SouthShore won the final two games in one-run fashion at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, upsetting Wichita to claim their first Miles Wolff Cup.

FINAL STANDINGS
(Click team name for full schedule)

North Division

TeamWLWin
Pct.
GBRuns
Scored
Runs
Allowed
Attend.
Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks-y6238.620519429186,091
Winnipeg Goldeyes5644.5606.0516470276,359
St. Paul Saints4753.47015.0509509239,399
Sioux Falls Canaries4258.42020.0505561161,131

Central Division

TeamWLWin
Pct.
GBRuns
Scored
Runs
Allowed
Attend.
Wichita Wingnuts-y6832.680609389147,119
Gary SouthShore RailCats-x5841.5869.5482454165,024
Lincoln Saltdogs4951.49019.0460490177,982
Kansas City T-Bones4060.40028.0501570265,596
Sioux City Explorers3862.38030.040349752,052

South Division

TeamWLWin
Pct.
GBRuns
Scored
Runs
Allowed
Attend.
Grand Prairie AirHogs-x5446.540471451111,195
Laredo Lemurs5247.5251.5534498151,055
Amarillo Sox5248.5202.0602424105,798
El Paso Diablos3961.39015.0503645111,230

The American Association took part in interleague play (results) with the Can-Am League, posting a 57-41 record as a league

Playoffs

First Round — GARY SOUTHSHORE WINS 3-1

DateScoreWLSVAttend.
9/4/13Gary SouthShore 0 at Fargo-Moorhead 2J. HarrisA. Quijano2,107
9/5/13Gary SouthShore 11 at Fargo-Moorhead 2S. HiscockA. Caldera2,086
9/6/13Fargo-Moorhead 1 at Gary SouthShore 3B. SpottiswoodB. Ernst1,683
9/7/13Fargo-Moorhead 0 at Gary SouthShore 3M. CoombsJ. LaberI. Durham1,148

First Round — WICHITA WINS 3-0

DateScoreWLSVAttend.
9/4/13Wichita 2 at Grand Prairie 0
(12 innings)
L. HoldzkomS. NikonchikJ. Dew585
9/5/13Wichita 6 at Grand Prairie 0C. SmithJ. Strawn532
9/6/13Grand Prairie 0 at Wichita 13A. CapraD. Blacksher1,204

American Association Finals — GARY SOUTHSHORE WINS 3-1

DateScoreWLSVAttend.
9/10/13Wichita 4 at Gary SouthShore 9W. KroutJ. Giulietti1,694
9/11/13Wichita 6 at Gary SouthShore 4
(10 innings)
J. DewK. LindquistE. Lambe2,168
9/13/13Gary SouthShore 7 at Wichita 6E. UriegasJ. KlippM. Gonzalez1,918
9/14/13Gary SouthShore 6 at Wichita 5M. CoombsJ. GuerraM. Gonzalez1,132

Award Winners

Player of the YearC.J Ziegler (Wichita)
100 G, .318/.408/.645, 121 H, 81 R, 32 2B, 30 HR, 99 RBI
Pitcher of the YearTaylor Stanton (Fargo-Moorhead)
9-4, 2.43 ERA, 19 G, 3 CG, 126.0 IP, 108 K, 1.143 WHIP
Rookie of the YearJoe Weik (Amarillo)
97 G, .327/.371/.477, 128 H, 69 R, 32 2B, 7 HR, 81 RBI
Defensive Player
of the Year
Leugim Barroso (Sioux City)
99 G, .971 Fld%, 13 errors, 62 DP, 456 chances at SS
Manager of the YearKevin Hooper (Wichita)
68-32 record, reached Finals

Postseason All-Stars

CatcherBrian Peterson (Laredo)
95 G, .289/.363/.398, 98 H, 49 R, 18 2B, 5 HR, 47 RBI
First BaseC.J Ziegler (Wichita)
100 G, .318/.408/.645, 121 H, 81 R, 32 2B, 30 HR, 99 RBI
Second BaseJake Kahaulelio (Wichita)
95 G, .322/.408/.544, 120 H, 91 R, 24 2B, 17 HR, 68 RBI, 16 SB
Third BaseAbel Nieves (Wichita)
99 G, .357/.446/479, 128 H, 59 R, 23 2B, 5 HR, 51 RBI, 17 SB
ShortstopMaikol Gonzalez (El Paso)
99 G, .337/.423/.446, 130 H, 85 R, 21 2B, 9 3B, 1 HR, 43 RBI, 47 SB
OutfieldNick Van Stratten (Sioux Falls)
96 G, .352/.404/.527, 143 H, 75 R, 25 2B, 14 3B, 6 HR, 54 RBI, 25 SB
OutfieldBrent Clevlen (Wichita)
70 G, .322/.413/.582, 84 H, 57 R, 20 2B, 14 HR, 51 RBI, 14 SB
OutfieldChris Valencia (Amarillo)
98 G, .328/.380/.426, 133 H, 68 R, 23 2B, 7 3B, 1 HR, 54 RBI
Designated
Hitter
John Rodriguez (Wichita)
100 G, .337/.396/.560, 138 H, 85 R, 26 2B, 19 HR, 86 RBI, 14 SB
Starting
Pitcher
Taylor Stanton (Fargo-Moorhead)
9-4, 2.43 ERA, 19 G, 3 CG, 126.0 IP, 108 K, 1.143 WHIP
Relief PitcherPatrick Mincey (Grand Prairie)
5-1, 1.01 ERA, 50 G, 24 SV, 53.1 IP, 55 K, 0.881 WHIP
Wichita’s C.J. Ziegler (right) became the first 30-home run hitter in American Association history and won Player of the Year honors, while his skipper Kevin Hooper (left) took home Manager of the Year accolades for a 68-32 campaign (Photo: American Association)

League Leaders

Batting Leaders (Click to expand/collapse)

Batting Average – Minimum 3.0 PA/G
Abel NievesWichita.357
Nick Van StrattenSioux Falls.352
Ryan ScomaWinnipeg.341
John RodriguezWichita.337
Maikol GonzalezEl Paso.337
Matt PadgettKansas City.337
Brad BoyerBrad Boyer.337
Chris ValenciaAmarillo.328
Joe WeikAmarillo.327
Jake KahaulelioWichita.322
Games Played
Tim AlbertsFargo-Moorhead100
David EspinosaLincoln100
Matt ForgatchLincoln100
Kennard JonesKansas City100
Josh MazzolaWinnipeg100
John RodriguezWichita100
Ray SadlerKansas City/Winnipeg100
KC SernaAmarillo100
C.J. ZieglerWichita100
Five tied99
Plate Appearances
Ryan KhouryWichita476
Kennard JonesKansas City463
Nick Van StrattenSioux Falls458
Zach PenpraseFargo-Moorhead457
John RodriguezWichita457
Brandon PinckneyGrand Prairie454
Maikol GonzalezEl Paso451
Adam KleinGary SouthShore450
Cory MoralesSioux Falls450
Chris ValenciaAmarillo450
At-Bats
Kennard JonesKansas City415
John RodriguezWichita409
Chris ValenciaAmarillo406
Nick Van StrattenSioux Falls406
Zach PenpraseFargo-Moorhead404
Cory MoralesSioux Falls403
Brandon PinckneyGrand Prairie402
Ryan KhouryWichita398
Tim AlbertsFargo-Moorhead396
Mike MassaroGary SouthShore396
Hits
Nick Van StrattenSioux Falls143
John RodriguezWichita138
Chris ValenciaAmarillo133
Maikol GonzalezEl Paso130
Abel NievesWichita128
Joe WeikAmarillo128
Kennard JonesKansas City121
C.J. ZieglerWichita121
Jake KahaulelioWichita120
Mike MassaroGary SouthShore120
Runs
Jake KahaulelioWichita91
Maikol GonzalezEl Paso85
John RodriguezWichita85
Zach PenpraseFargo-Moorhead81
C.J. ZieglerWichita81
Ron BourquinFargo-Moorhead77
Nick Van StrattenSioux Falls75
Ray SadlerKansas City/Winnipeg73
David EspinosaLincoln72
Ryan KhouryWichita71
Doubles
Cory PattonAmarillo38
Brian JoyntEl Paso/Lincoln37
Matt PadgettKansas City33
Bryan PoundsSioux City/Lincoln32
Joe WeikAmarillo32
C.J. ZieglerWichita32
Tim AlbertsFargo-Moorhead31
C.J. RetherfordFargo-Moorhead27
Ray SadlerKansas City/Winnipeg27
Six tied26
Triples
Mike MassaroGary SouthShore17
Nick Van StrattenSioux Falls14
Maikol GonzalezEl Paso9
Oscar MesaEl Paso8
KC SernaAmarillo8
Adam KleinGary SouthShore7
Chris ValenciaAmarillo7
Tim AlbertsFargo-Moorhead6
Mike ProvencherLincoln/Laredo6
Matt ForgatchLincoln5
Frazier HallGrand Prairie5
Buddy SosnoskieFargo-Moorhead5
Bold text denotes American Association single-season record
Home Runs
C.J. ZieglerWichita30
Tim PahutaSioux Falls29
Ray SadlerKansas City/Winnipeg21
Jared ClarkSioux Falls20
Matt PadgettKansas City19
Jairo PerezKansas City19
John RodriguezWichita19
Brandon TrippSt. Paul19
Ron BourquinFargo-Moorhead18
Ian GacLincoln18
Palmer KarrSioux City/Laredo/Grand Prairie18
Runs Batted In (RBI)
C.J. ZieglerWichita99
John RodriguezWichita86
Joe WeikAmarillo81
Tim PahutaSioux Falls79
Brandon TrippSt. Paul75
Jairo PerezKansas City72
Ray SadlerKansas City/Winnipeg72
Cory PattonAmarillo71
Nic JacksonFargo-Moorhead69
Jake KahaulelioWichita68
Stolen Bases
Maikol GonzalezEl Paso47
Zach PenpraseFargo-Moorhead40
Adam FrostSt. Paul38
Matt ForgatchLincoln34
Tyler GrahamFargo-Moorhead/Winnipeg31
Kennard JonesKansas City28
Ryan KhouryWichita26
Eliezer MesaSioux City26
Jose GarciaFargo-Moorhead/El Paso25
Nick Van StrattenSioux Falls25
Extra-Base Hits
C.J. ZieglerWichita63
Matt PadgettKansas City54
Tim AlbertsFargo-Moorhead53
Cory PattonAmarillo51
Ray SadlerKansas City/Winnipeg50
John RodriguezWichita49
Tim PahutaSioux Falls46
Jairo PerezKansas City46
Jake KahaulelioWichita45
Bryan PoundsSioux City/Lincoln45
Nick Van StrattenSioux Falls45
Total Bases
C.J. ZieglerWichita245
John RodriguezWichita229
Nick Van StrattenSioux Falls214
Tim AlbertsFargo-Moorhead207
Jake KahaulelioWichita203
Jairo PerezKansas City202
Tim PahutaSioux Falls201
Ray SadlerKansas City/Winnipeg198
Matt PadgettKansas City195
Cory PattonAmarillo193
Walks
Adam KleinGary SouthShore78
Ron BourquinFargo-Moorhead67
Jared ClarkSioux Falls67
David EspinosaLincoln61
Ryan KhouryWichita58
Matt PadgettKansas City58
C.J. ZieglerWichita58
Abel NievesWichita56
Trey FordAmarillo54
Ryan ScomaWinnipeg53
Strikeouts
Tim AlbertsFargo-Moorhead108
Cristian GuerreroGary SouthShore104
Trey FordAmarillo99
Peter BarrowsSioux City97
Jared ClarkSioux Falls93
Palmer KarrSioux City/Laredo/Grand Prairie93
Brian JoyntEl Paso/Lincoln91
Kenny HeldGrand Prairie86
Matt ForgatchLincoln84
Brandon JonesAmarillo/Kansas City84
Hit By Pitch
Jake KahaulelioWichita22
Andres RodriguezGrand Prairie16
Ryan KhouryWichita13
Jason MartinAmarillo11
KC SernaAmarillo11
Brian MyrowGrand Prairie10
Brandon TrippSt. Paul10
Jorge DelgadoAmarillo9
Palmer KarrSioux City/Laredo/Grand Prairie9
Jimmy MojicaLaredo9
Brian PetersonLaredo9
Nick Van StrattenSioux Falls9
On-Base Percentage (OBP) –  Minimum 3.0 PA/G
Abel NievesWichita.446
Ryan ScomaWinnipeg.443
Matt PadgettKansas City.442
Maikol GonzalezEl Paso.423
Adam KleinGary SouthShore.416
Brent ClevlenWichita.413
Ron BourquinFargo-Moorhead.411
C.J. ZieglerWichita.409
Jake KahaulelioWichita.408
Nick Van StrattenSioux Falls.404
Slugging Percentage (SLUG) – Minimum 3.0 PA/G
Matt PadgettKansas City.650
C.J. ZieglerWichita.645
Brent ClevlenWichita.582
John RodriguezWichita.560
Tim PahutaSioux Falls.554
Jake KahaulelioWichita.544
Jairo PerezKansas City.539
Nick Van StrattenSioux Falls.527
Ray SadlerKansas City/Winnipeg.525
Brandon TrippSt. Paul.524
On-Base Plus Slugging (OPS) – Minimum 3.0 PA/G
Matt PadgettKansas City1.092
C.J. ZieglerWichita1.053
Brent ClevlenWichita.996
John RodriguezWichita.956
Jake KahaulelioWichita.952
Ron BourquinFargo-Moorhead.934
Nick Van StrattenSioux Falls.931
Abel NievesWichita.925
Brad BoyerSt. Paul.907
Willie CabreraSt. Paul.900
Sioux Falls’ Ben Moore led the league in strikeouts (132) for a record fourth time, while also tying for the league lead in innings pitched (155.1) and finishing in the top-five in wins, starts, and WHIP (Photo: Sioux Falls Canaries)

Pitching Leaders (Click to expand/collapse)

Wins
Alain QuijanoGary SouthShore12
Kyle RuweSioux Falls11
Derek BlacksherGrand Prairie10
Joe HarrisFargo-Moorhead10
Jake LaberFargo-Moorhead10
Ben MooreSioux Falls10
Pete PariseLincoln10
Richard SalazarSioux City10
Five tied9
Losses
Andy NogaSioux City12
Adam ChampionSioux Falls11
Jason JarvisSioux City/Winnipeg11
Shaun GarceauKansas City9
Stephen BougherLincoln8
Ethan ColeKansas City8
Pete GehleWinnipeg8
Mark HamburgerSt. Paul8
Dan JurikSioux City8
Ben MooreSioux Falls8
Earned Run Average (ERA)  – Minimum 0.8 IP/G
Taylor StantonFargo-Moorhead2.43
Lucas IrvineKansas City2.96
Anthony ClaggettSt. Paul3.11
Mark HamburgerSt. Paul3.26
Junior GuerraWichita3.30
Billy SpottiswoodSt. Paul/Gary SouthShore3.42
Pete PariseLincoln3.43
Mark HardyWinnipeg3.48
Chris SmithWichita3.55
Joey NewbyAmarillo3.63
Games Pitched
Joe HarrisFargo-Moorhead53
Brendan LaffertyWinnipeg53
Mark HaynesLaredo51
Chris KissockWinnipeg50
Patrick MinceyGrand Prairie50
Nick WaltersWichita50
Chad PovichLaredo49
Dan BennettWichita48
Jose JimenezKansas City47
Erik DraxtonAmarillo46
Games Started
Adam ChampionSioux Falls24
Ben MooreSioux Falls23
Matthew RuschWinnipeg23
Jason JarvisSioux City/Winnipeg22
Kyle RuweSioux Falls22
Anthony ClaggettSt. Paul21
Mark HamburgerSt. Paul21
Alain QuijanoGary SouthShore21
Josh StrawnGrand Prairie21
Five tied20
Complete Games
Mark HamburgerSt. Paul5
Anthony ClaggettSt. Paul3
Lucas IrvineKansas City3
Jason JarvisSioux City/Winnipeg3
Ben MooreSioux Falls3
Alain QuijanoGary SouthShore3
Kyle RuweSioux Falls3
Taylor StantonFargo-Moorhead3
Nine tied2
Shutouts
Mark HamburgerSt. Paul2
Jason JarvisSioux City/Winnipeg2
Chris SalamidaWinnipeg2
20 tied1
Saves
Josh DewWichita27
R.J. RodriguezLincoln27
Patrick MinceyGrand Prairie24
Alan DeRattSioux Falls22
Patrick KeatingWinnipeg17
Matt MeyerSt. Paul14
Chris BodishbaughSioux City/Fargo-Moorhead13
Erik DraxtonAmarillo13
Chase JohnsonFargo-Moorhead/Grand Prairie13
Marshall SchulerEl Paso/Grand Prairie13
Innings Pitched
Ben MooreSioux Falls155.1
Kyle RuweSioux Falls155.1
Mark HamburgerSt. Paul149.0
Jason JarvisSioux City/Winnipeg147.0
Matthew RuschWinnipeg144.2
Anthony ClaggettSt. Paul142.0
Josh StrawnGrand Prairie138.2
Derek BlacksherGrand Prairie135.1
Shaun GarceauKansas City133.2
Alain QuijanoGary SouthShore133.1
Hits Allowed
Kyle RuweSioux Falls184
Ben MooreSioux Falls163
Mark HamburgerSt. Paul162
Josh StrawnGrand Prairie162
Adam ChampionSioux Falls159
Jason JarvisSioux City/Winnipeg158
Shaun GarceauKansas City154
Matthew RuschWinnipeg149
Derek BlacksherGrand Prairie148
Anthony ClaggettSt. Paul143
Runs Allowed
Adam ChampionSioux Falls101
Andy NogaSioux City87
Shaun GarceauKansas City84
Ben MooreSioux Falls81
Jason JarvisSioux City/Winnipeg79
Jason JohnsonAmarillo76
Matthew RuschWinnipeg73
Justin GarciaWinnipeg/Laredo73
Kyle RuweSioux Falls72
Jake LaberFargo-Moorhead71
Jason MitchellAmarillo71
Bold text denotes American Association single-season record
Earned Runs Allowed
Adam ChampionSioux Falls93
Andy NogaSioux City74
Ben MooreSioux Falls71
Justin GarciaWinnipeg/Laredo69
Matthew RuschWinnipeg66
Jason JohnsonAmarillo65
Shaun GarceauKansas City64
Jason JarvisSioux City/Winnipeg64
Kyle RuweSioux Falls64
Derek BlacksherGrand Prairie63
Josh StrawnGrand Prairie63
Bold text denotes American Association single-season record
Home Runs Allowed
Morgan CoombsGary SouthShore16
Pete GehleWinnipeg15
Kyle RuweSioux Falls15
Mike BurnsLincoln14
Justin GarciaWinnipeg/Laredo14
Dan JurikSioux City14
Derek BlacksherGrand Prairie13
Shaun GarceauKansas City13
Andy NogaSioux City13
Adam ChampionSioux Falls12
Jason JarvisSioux City/Winnipeg12
Ben MooreSioux Falls12
Walks
Anthony CapraWichita59
Adam ChampionSioux Falls58
Junior GuerraWichita58
Alex CalderaFargo-Moorhead55
Moises MelendezLincoln55
Kevin BrahneyEl Paso54
Joey NewbyAmarillo51
Mark HamburgerSt. Paul47
Anthony ClaggettSt. Paul43
Jason JarvisSioux City/Winnipeg43
Strikeouts
Ben MooreSioux Falls131
Junior GuerraWichita126
Anthony CapraWichita122
Mark HamburgerSt. Paul120
Chris SmithWichita112
Matthew RuschWinnipeg111
Joey NewbyAmarillo109
Taylor StantonFargo-Moorhead108
Ryan MitchellAmarillo105
Dustin LogginsKansas City101
Hit Batters
Ben MooreSioux Falls11
Andy NogaSioux City11
Ari RonickGary SouthShore11
Shaun GarceauKansas City10
Seth LintzEl Paso/Laredo10
Moises MelendezLincoln10
Joey NewbyAmarillo10
Preston OlsonSioux City10
Ryan MitchellAmarillo9
Five tied8
Wild Pitches
Junior GuerraWichita18
Joey NewbyAmarillo18
Kevin BrahneyEl Paso15
Moises MelendezLincoln13
Anthony CapraWichita10
Luis ChirinosEl Paso/Lincoln10
Kevin CooperEl Paso10
Kyle VasquezSioux Falls10
Seven tied9
Walks + Hits Per Inning (WHIP)  – Minimum 0.8 IP/G
Lucas IrvineKansas City1.142
Taylor StantonFargo-Moorhead1.143
Chris SmithWichita1.167
Ben MooreSioux Falls1.197
Pete PariseLincoln1.220
Matthew RuschWinnipeg1.265
Jared MortensenGrand Prairie1.266
Ryan MitchellAmarillo1.278
Derek BlacksherGrand Prairie1.286
Alain QuijanoGary SouthShore1.298
Hits Per 9 Innings (H/9)  – Minimum 0.8 IP/G
Anthony CapraWichita7.7
Chris SmithWichita8.1
Joey NewbyAmarillo8.2
Taylor StantonFargo-Moorhead8.2
Ryan MitchellAmarillo8.2
Alex CalderaFargo-Moorhead8.3
Mark HardyWinnipeg8.5
Junior GuerraWichita8.7
Lucas IrvineKansas City8.7
Richard SalazarSioux City8.8
Walks Per 9 Innings (H/9)  – Minimum 0.8 IP/G
Ben MooreSioux Falls1.3
Mike BurnsLincoln1.5
Will KroutGary SouthShore1.5
Lucas IrvineKansas City1.6
Derek BlacksherGrand Prairie1.7
Josh StrawnGrand Prairie1.8
Kyle RuweSioux Falls1.9
Pete PariseLincoln1.9
Jason MitchellAmarillo2.0
Justin KlippWichita2.0
Strikeouts Per 9 Innings (H/9)  – Minimum 0.8 IP/G
Anthony CapraWichita11.0
Junior GuerraWichita9.2
Dustin LogginsKansas City8.7
Jared MortensenGrand Prairie8.4
Ryan MitchellAmarillo8.4
Joey NewbyAmarillo7.9
Taylor StantonFargo-Moorhead7.7
Chris SmithWichita7.6
Alex CalderaFargo-Moorhead7.6
Ben MooreSioux Falls7.6