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2018

For the second year in a row, expansion was a major topic in the American Association, as the Chicagoland island that Gary SouthShore had been on since leaving the Northern League seven years prior finally gained another member: the Chicago Dogs, who began play at brand-new Impact Field in suburban Rosemont, Illinois, literally right next to O’Hare International Airport.

The timing of the Dogs’ arrival proved to be fortuitous, as the team was officially awarded three days before the start of the 2017 season, which featured the traveling Salina Stockade serving as a punching bag for 100 road games. With the Dogs in the yard, the Stockade could fortunately die a quiet death after just the one season without any further disruption to the league lineup being necessary. Before the season began, the Wichita Wingnuts also announced 2018 would be their final season at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, which would be demolished. The club did not officially confirm the team’s dissolution until after the season, but many believed this year would be the end as it was unfolding.

With the league at 12 teams for a third year in a row, the Central Division was ditched and the AA went to two divisions from the three-division look that had been rolled out since 2011. The playoffs would now consist of the top two finishers in both the North and South.

On the field, the North saw a tight race that was a three-horse race for much of the summer, but ended up with Gary and St. Paul in a dead heat at the top, with the RailCats earning the division crown on the tiebreaker. The South, meawhile, sported the three top teams in the league, highlighted by Sioux City’s outstanding 71-29 season, the fourth (and most recent) 70-win season in league history. Kansas City finished with a franchise-record 62 wins, edging out Wichita, whose 61-39 mark would’ve won the North, but instead finished they were saddled with a third-place finish, ending their final season out of the playoff picture for the first time since 2010 and snapping a league-record string of seven-straight playoff appearances, while also having the best season in league history by a team that missed the playoffs.

In the postseason, St. Paul bounced Gary in four games, while Kansas City, in their first playoff appearance in eight years, upset Sioux City in a back-and-forth five-game tilt. The T-Bones then subdued the Saints in four games to earn their first American Association crown, ten years after their only previous league title in the Northern League in 2008.

FINAL STANDINGS
(Click team name for full schedule)

North Division

TeamWLWin
Pct.		GBRuns
Scored		Runs
Allowed		Attend.
Gary SouthShore RailCats-y5941.590—460399167,152
St. Paul Saints-x5941.590—550452408,921
Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks5149.5108.0493464166,717
Chicago Dogs4554.45513.5428429138,855
Winnipeg Goldeyes4159.41018.0468529219,370
Sioux Falls Canaries4059.40418.5455554124,177

South Division

TeamWLWin
Pct.		GBRuns
Scored		Runs
Allowed		Attend.
Sioux City Explorers-y7129.710—62937863,498
Kansas City T-Bones-x6237.6268.5563455189,981
Wichita Wingnuts6139.61010.0509453108,627
Lincoln Saltdogs5148.51519.5531481160,124
Cleburne Railroaders3366.33337.543655264,226
Texas AirHogs2575.25046.030766580,196

Playoffs

North Division Series — ST. PAUL WINS 3-1

DateScoreWLSVAttend.
9/5/18Gary SouthShore 0 at St. Paul 4C. NunnK. Steele–2,155
9/6/18Gary SouthShore 2 at St. Paul 8E. MedinaL. Liguori–2,334
9/7/18St. Paul 4 at Gary SouthShore 7J. McKenzieJ. Matthys–738
9/8/18St. Paul 1 at Gary SouthShore 0T. FossJ. DeLeonZ. Jones409

South Division Series — KANSAS CITY WINS 3-2

DateScoreWLSVAttend.
9/4/18Sioux City 4 at Kansas City 1J. DykstraT. CollierE. Karch501
9/5/18Sioux City 2 at Kansas City 4B. AstinJ. GarciaC. Winiarski429
9/7/18Kansas City 5 at Sioux City 2J. FilomenoP. Markel–1,084
9/8/18Kansas City 0 at Sioux City 5I. McKinneyJ. Mortensen–770
9/9/18Kansas City 4 at Sioux City 2T. CollierJ. DykstraC. Winiarski714

American Association Finals — KANSAS CITY WINS 3-1

DateScoreWLSVAttend.
9/11/18Kansas City 11 at St. Paul 4B. AstinC. Nunn–3,380
9/12/18Kansas City 0 at St. Paul 6E. MedinaH. Adkins–3,949
9/14/18St. Paul 3 at Kansas City 7T. CollierB. Wheeler–2,055
9/15/18St. Paul 3 at Kansas City 5M. CrescentiniM. DevineC. Winiarski2,269

Finals MVP: Noah Perio Jr. (Kansas City) — .333/.368/.833, 6 H, 3 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI

Award Winners

Player of the YearJose Sermo (Sioux City/ Winnipeg)
91 G, .310/.407/.611, 23 2B, 22 HR, 81 RBI, 24 SB
Pitcher of the YearTravis Banwart (Wichita)
8-4, 2.24 ERA, 20 G, 124.1 IP, 109 K, 1.182 WHIP
Rookie of the YearJustin Vernia (Sioux City)
12-2, 3.32 ERA, 20 G, 119.1 IP, 91 K, 1.207 WHIP
Defensive
Player of the Year		Justin O’Connor (St. Paul)
78 G, .991 Fld%, 36% caught stealing at C
Manager of the YearJoe Calfapietra (Kansas City)
62-37 record, Miles Wolff Cup champions

Postseason All-Stars

CatcherJustin O’Connor (St. Paul)
78 G, .250/.292/.459, 73 H, 17 HR, 41 RBI, defensive POTY
First BaseBrady Shoemaker (St. Paul)
92 G, .309/.406/.486, 107 H, 58 R, 19 2B, 14 HR, 69 RBI
Second BaseLogan Watkins (Wichita)
100 G, .338/.403/.469, 142 H, 24 2B, 11 3B, 3 HR, 51 RBI, 26 SB
Third BaseJose Sermo (Sioux City/ Winnipeg)
91 G, .310/.407/.611, 102 H, 76 R, 23 2B, 22 HR, 81 RBI, 24 SB
ShortstopNate Samson (Sioux City)
100 G, .340/.379/.405, 141 H, 79 R, 15 2B, 4 HR, 73 RBI, 22 SB
OutfieldTodd Cunningham (Kansas City)
83 G, .333/.437/.484, 106 H, 71 R, 26 2B, 4 HR, 47 RBI, 17 SB
OutfieldMichael Lang (Sioux City)
100 G, .304/.369/.435, 126 H, 82 R, 13 2B, 7 3B, 9 HR, 45 RBI
OutfieldDillon Thomas (Texas)
80 G, .333/.420/.601, 97 H, 56 R, 37 2B, 13 HR, 54 RBI, 14 SB
Designated
Hitter		Curt Smith (Lincoln)
92 G, .315/.367/.548, 115 H, 53 R, 21 2B, 5 3B, 18 HR, 74 RBI
Starting PitcherTravis Banwart (Wichita)
8-4, 2.24 ERA, 20 G, 124.1 IP, 109 K, 1.182 WHIP
Relief PitcherDaniel Tillman (Wichita)
1-4, 2.27 ERA, 40 G, 27 SV, 39.2 IP, 54 K, 1.109 WHIP
Jose Sermo began the season with Winnipeg, but was released after just four games. He quickly signed with Sioux City, then went on to hit .310 with 22 home runs and a league-high 81 RBI to earn Player of the Year honors (Photo: Sioux City Explorers)

League Leaders

Batting Leaders (Click to expand/collapse)

Batting Average – Minimum 2.6 PA/G
Nate SamsonSioux City.340
Logan WatkinsWichita.338
Kyle BarrettSt. Paul.338
Todd CunninghamKansas City.333
Dillon ThomasTexas.333
Dylan TiceKansas City.331
Edwin ArroyoChicago.325
Randolph OduberLincoln/Fargo-Moorhead.324
Tim ColwellFargo-Moorhead.320
Max MurphySt. Paul.319
Games Played
Jax BaumSioux City100
Luis DurangoSioux City100
Michael LangSioux City100
Nate SamsonSioux City100
Tony ThomasWichita100
Logan WatkinsWichita100
Seven tied99
Plate Appearances
Luis DurangoSioux City476
Logan WatkinsWichita473
Michael LangSioux City469
Max MurphySt. Paul469
Nate SamsonSioux City457
Zach NehrirWichita447
Abel NievesWichita446
Devan AhartFargo-Moorhead443
Reggie AbercrombieWinnipeg437
Noah Perio Jr.St. Paul/Kansas City437
At-Bats
Max MurphySt. Paul427
Logan WatkinsWichita420
Nate SamsonSioux City415
Michael LangSioux City414
Luis DurangoSioux City412
Reggie AbercrombieWinnipeg405
Tony ThomasWichita398
Zach WaltersKansas City/St. Paul397
Noah Perio Jr.St. Paul/Kansas City392
Zach NehrirWichita388
Hits
Logan WatkinsWichita142
Nate SamsonSioux City141
Max MurphySt. Paul136
Reggie AbercrombieWinnipeg128
Michael LangSioux City126
Luis DurangoSioux City125
Zach NehrirWichita121
Dante Bichette Jr.St. Paul120
Noah Perio Jr.St. Paul/Kansas City119
Edwin ArroyoChicago118
Runs
Michael LangSioux City82
Nate SamsonSioux City79
Christian IbarraLincoln76
Jose SermoWinnipeg/Sioux City76
Brennan MetzgerFargo-Moorhead76
Jay BaumSioux City72
Tony ThomasWichita72
Luis DurangoSioux City71
Todd CunninghamKansas City71
Max MurphySt. Paul70
Doubles
Dillon ThomasTexas37
Max MurphySt. Paul31
Brennan MetzgerFargo-Moorhead29
Leobaldo PinaFargo-Moorhead28
Todd CunninghamKansas City26
Randolph OduberLincoln/Fargo-Moorhead26
Jay BaumSioux City24
Stewart IjamesTexas24
Noah Perio Jr.St. Paul/Kansas City24
Logan WatkinsWichita24
Triples
Logan WatkinsWichita11
Jay BaumSioux City7
Michael LangSioux City7
Todd CunninghamKansas City5
Stewart IjamesTexas5
Jonathan MoroneyChicago5
Dan MotlSioux Falls/St. Paul5
Max MurphySt. Paul5
Jose SermoWinnipeg/Sioux City5
Curt SmithLincoln5
Reggie WilsonGary SouthShore5
Home Runs
Tony ThomasWichita23
Brandon JacobsLincoln22
Jose SermoWinnipeg/Sioux City22
Christian IbarraLincoln20
Josh MazzolaWinnipeg20
Grant HeymanWinnipeg19
Burt ReynoldsSioux Falls/St. Paul19
Curt SmithLincoln18
Justin O’ConnorSt. Paul17
Angel ReyesLincoln/Wichita17
Runs Batted In (RBI)
Jose SermoWinnipeg/Sioux City81
Jay BaumSioux City77
Josh MazzolaWinnipeg75
Noah Perio Jr.St. Paul/Kansas City74
Curt SmithLincoln74
Tony ThomasWichita74
Nate SamsonSioux City73
Zach WaltersKansas City/St. Paul72
Brady ShoemakerSt. Paul69
Brandon JacobsLincoln68
Max MurphySt. Paul68
Stolen Bases
Zach NehrirWichita38
Chris GraysonSioux Falls27
Mason DavisKansas City26
Logan WatkinsWichita26
Jordan SmithSioux Falls/St. Paul25
Tim ColwellFargo-Moorhead24
Luis DurangoSioux City24
Dan MotlSioux Falls/St. Paul24
Jose SermoWinnipeg/Sioux City24
Nate SamsonSioux City22
Extra-Base Hits
Dillon ThomasTexas51
Jose SermoWinnipeg/Sioux City50
Tony ThomasWichita49
Curt SmithLincoln44
Grant HeymanWinnipeg43
Max MurphySt. Paul43
Brandon JacobsLincoln40
Brennan MetzgerFargo-Moorhead40
Leobaldo PinaFargo-Moorhead40
Zach WaltersKansas City/St. Paul40
Total Bases
Jose SermoWinnipeg/Sioux City201
Curt SmithLincoln200
Max MurphySt. Paul198
Tony ThomasWichita198
Logan WatkinsWichita197
Reggie AbercrombieWinnipeg187
Trey VavraChicago186
Zach WaltersKansas City/St. Paul181
Michael LangSioux City180
Christian IbarraLincoln178
Brandon JacobsLincoln178
Walks
Chase SimpsonLincoln/Wichita/Cleburne75
Christian IbarraLincoln62
Brennan MetzgerFargo-Moorhead62
Jose SermoWinnipeg/Sioux City59
Abel NievesWichita58
Todd CunninghamKansas City57
Jay BaumSioux City55
Luis DurangoSioux City53
Levi ScottCleburne52
David BerginSioux Falls/Winnipeg50
Strikeouts
Cameron MongerCleburne136
Levi ScottCleburne128
Tony ThomasWichita121
Brandon JacobsLincoln120
Patrick PalmeiroCleburne115
David BerginSioux Falls/Winnipeg113
Reggie AbercrombieWinnipeg112
Maxx GarrettSioux Falls111
Jose SermoWinnipeg/Sioux City107
Michael LangSioux City96
Hit By Pitch
Mike HartLincoln/Sioux Falls14
David BerginSioux Falls/Winnipeg13
Cameron MongerCleburne13
Brandon JacobsLincoln12
Michael LangSioux City12
Brady ShoemakerSt. Paul12
Edwin ArroyoChicago10
Mitch GlasserGary SouthShore/Sioux Falls10
Dan MotlSioux Falls/St. Paul10
Zach NehrirWichita10
On-Base Percentage (OBP) –  Minimum 2.6 PA/G
Todd CunninghamKansas City.437
Dylan TiceKansas City.428
Dillon ThomasTexas.420
Christian IbarraLincoln.416
Jose SermoWinnipeg/Sioux City.414
Brady ShoemakerSt. Paul.406
Logan WatkinsWichita.403
Edwin ArroyoChicago.401
Chase SimpsonLincoln/Wichita/Cleburne.401
Kyle BarrettSt. Paul.399
Slugging Percentage (SLUG) – Minimum 2.6 PA/G
Jose SermoWinnipeg/Sioux City.611
Dillon ThomasTexas.601
Curt SmithLincoln.548
Angel ReyesLincoln/Wichita.520
Christian IbarraLincoln.516
Chris JacobsSioux Falls/Fargo-Moorhead.515
Grant HeymanWinnipeg.507
Tucker NathansWinnipeg.504
Joe BensonChicago.498
Tony ThomasWichita.498
On-Base Plus Slugging (OPS) – Minimum 2.6 PA/G
Jose SermoWinnipeg/Sioux City1.025
Dillon ThomasTexas1.022
Christian IbarraLincoln.932
Todd CunninghamKansas City.921
Curt SmithLincoln.915
Brady ShoemakerSt. Paul.891
Chris JacobsSioux Falls/Fargo-Moorhead.886
Angel ReyesLincoln/Wichita.880
Chase SimpsonLincoln/Wichita/Cleburne.875
Joe BensonChicago.873
Kansas City’s Tommy Collier led the American Association in wins (12), strikeouts (140), and WHIP (1.068), while also finishing among the league leaders in ERA and innings pitched (Photo: American Association)

Pitching Leaders (Click to expand/collapse)

Wins
Tommy CollierKansas City12
Justin VerniaSioux City12
Jordan CooperWichita11
Casey HarmanWichita11
Luis MateoSioux City11
Daniel MinorGary SouthShore11
Barrett AstinKansas City10
Taylor JordanSioux City10
Will SolomonFargo-Moorhead10
Four tied9
Losses
Kevin McGovernWinnipeg12
Miguel RosarioTexas12
Alex BoshersWinnipeg10
Tyler HerronLincoln/Winnipeg9
Jeff McKenzieGary SouthShore9
Patrick MinceyCleburne9
Dylan ThompsonSioux Falls9
Six tied8
Earned Run Average (ERA)  – Minimum 0.8 IP/G
Travis BanwartWichita2.24
Daniel MinorGary SouthShore2.51
Eddie MedinaSt. Paul2.80
Tommy CollierKansas City3.11
Taylor JordanSioux City3.29
Justin VerniaSioux City3.32
James DykstraSioux City3.49
Lars LiguoriGary SouthShore3.52
Mitch LambsonWinnipeg3.81
Casey HarmanWichita3.87
Games Pitched
Jack CharlestonWinnipeg60
Ken FroschSt. Paul52
Shawn BlackwellCleburne50
Kyle SchepelSioux Falls50
Travis BallewFargo-Moorhead49
Mike DevineSt. Paul49
Victor CapellanWinnipeg47
Ryan FloresSioux City46
Patrick SchusterSioux City46
Beck WheelerSt. Paul46
Bold text denotes American Association single-season record
Games Started
Alex BoshersWinnipeg21
Kevin McGovernWinnipeg21
Dylan ThompsonSioux Falls21
13 tied20
Complete Games
Mitch LambsonWinnipeg3
Jeff McKenzieGary SouthShore3
Austin RobichauxLincoln3
Tyler HerronLincoln/Winnipeg2
Daniel MinorGary SouthShore2
Will SolomonFargo-Moorhead2
23 tied1
Shutouts
Austin RobichauxLincoln2
Daniel MinorGary SouthShore2
Mitch LambsonWinnipeg1
Tyler HerronLincoln/Winnipeg1
Will SolomonFargo-Moorhead1
Jason GarciaSioux City1
Alex GunnGary SouthShore1
Eddie MedinaSt. Paul1
Saves
Daniel TillmanWichita27
Victor CapellanWinnipeg22
Eric KarchSioux City21
Randy McCurryFargo-Moorhead17
Carlos ContrerasTexas14
Taylor GroverChicago14
Kyle SchepelSioux Falls14
Shawn BlackwellCleburne13
Kaohi DowningChicago13
Adam QuintanaGary SouthShore12
Cody WiniarskiKansas City12
Innings Pitched
Jeff McKenzieGary SouthShore137.2
Tommy CollierKansas City133.0
Jared MortensenCleburne/Kansas City132.0
Kevin McGovernWinnipeg129.1
Travis BanwartWichita124.1
Luis MateoSioux City124.0
D.J. BrownFargo-Moorhead122.2
Alex BoshersWinnipeg121.2
Casey HarmanWichita121.0
Trey McNuttFargo-Moorhead121.0
Dylan ThompsonSioux Falls121.0
Hits Allowed
Alex BoshersWinnipeg161
Jeff McKenzieGary SouthShore161
Patrick MinceyCleburne161
Kevin McGovernWinnipeg151
Dylan ThompsonSioux Falls149
Luis MateoSioux City144
Josh Goossen-BrownChicago141
Tyler HerronLincoln/Winnipeg135
D.J. BrownFargo-Moorhead133
Jordan CooperWichita133
Alex GunnGary SouthShore133
Runs Allowed
Alex BoshersWinnipeg87
Kevin McGovernWinnipeg85
Dylan ThompsonSioux Falls84
Patrick MinceyCleburne83
Tyler HerronLincoln/Winnipeg78
Josh Goossen-BrownChicago74
Jeff McKenzieGary SouthShore73
Jordan CooperWichita73
Barrett AstinKansas City73
Miguel RosarioTexas72
Earned Runs Allowed
Alex BoshersWinnipeg75
Patrick MinceyCleburne75
Trey McNuttFargo-Moorhead70
Dylan ThompsonSioux Falls69
Jeff McKenzieGary SouthShore69
Kevin McGovernWinnipeg68
Tyler HerronLincoln/Winnipeg67
Josh Goossen-BrownChicago66
Barrett AstinKansas City66
Jared MortensenCleburne/Kansas City64
Home Runs Allowed
Trey McNuttFargo-Moorhead16
Dylan ThompsonSioux Falls16
Alex GunnGary SouthShore15
Patrick MinceyCleburne15
Scott BarnesChicago14
Jordan CooperWichita14
Jared MortensenCleburne/Kansas City14
D.J. BrownFargo-Moorhead13
Tommy CollierKansas City13
Jeff McKenzieGary SouthShore13
Walks
Tyler MatzekTexas66
Miguel RosarioTexas58
Pat YoungCleburne57
Jared MortensenCleburne/Kansas City56
Michael GunnCleburne53
Joe BircherSioux Falls/Lincoln50
Scott BarnesChicago47
Austin RobichauxLincoln47
Jake EschSt. Paul/Sioux Falls45
Hunter AdkinsKansas City44
Kyle KinmanLincoln44
Dylan ThompsonSioux Falls44
Strikeouts
Tommy CollierKansas City140
Trey McNuttFargo-Moorhead130
Kevin McGovernWinnipeg129
Jared MortensenCleburne/Kansas City122
Luis MateoSioux City112
Travis BanwartWichita109
Eddie MedinaSt. Paul104
Michael TamburinoLincoln/Fargo-Moorhead103
Casey HarmanWichita98
Tyler MatzekTexas93
Hit Batters
D.J. BrownFargo-Moorhead16
Miguel RosarioTexas14
Michael TamburinoLincoln/Fargo-Moorhead12
Patrick MinceyCleburne11
Jackson LoweryKansas City10
Tyler MatzekTexas10
Trey McNuttFargo-Moorhead10
Trevor SimmsChicago10
Nicco BlankSioux Falls9
Gabe PerezGary SouthShore9
Wild Pitches
Pat YoungCleburne20
Eddie MedinaSt. Paul17
Travis BallewFargo-Moorhead15
Benji WaiteFargo-Moorhead14
Scott BarnesChicago13
D.J. BrownFargo-Moorhead13
Josh Goossen-BrownChicago11
Will SolomonFargo-Moorhead11
Dylan ThompsonSioux Falls11
Eight tied9
Walks + Hits Per Inning (WHIP)  – Minimum 0.8 IP/G
Tommy CollierKansas City1.068
Daniel MinorGary SouthShore1.093
Travis BanwartWichita1.182
Taylor JordanSioux City1.202
Justin VerniaSioux City1.207
James DykstraSioux City1.218
Eddie MedinaSt. Paul1.228
Mitch LambsonWinnipeg1.245
Casey HarmanWichita1.248
Jake MatthysSt. Paul1.300
Hits Per 9 Innings (H/9)  – Minimum 0.8 IP/G
Eddie MedinaSt. Paul7.7
Daniel MinorGary SouthShore8.1
Tommy CollierKansas City8.1
Travis BanwartWichita8.2
Kyle KinmanLincoln8.6
Casey HarmanWichita8.8
James DykstraSioux City8.8
Jared MortensenCleburne/Kansas City8.9
Scott BarnesChicago8.9
Taylor JordanSioux City8.9
Walks Per 9 Innings (H/9)  – Minimum 0.8 IP/G
Tommy CollierKansas City1.5
Jeff McKenzieGary SouthShore1.5
Lars LiguoriGary SouthShore1.5
Justin VerniaSioux City1.7
Daniel MinorGary SouthShore1.8
Alex GunnGary SouthShore1.8
Tyler HerronLincoln/Winnipeg1.8
Mitch LambsonWinnipeg1.9
Taylor JordanSioux City1.9
Lucas IrvineKansas City2.1
Strikeouts Per 9 Innings (H/9)  – Minimum 0.8 IP/G
Trey McNuttFargo-Moorhead9.7
Tommy CollierKansas City9.5
Tyler MatzekTexas9.4
Charlie GilliesWichita9.1
Kevin McGovernWinnipeg9.0
Jared MortensenCleburne/Kansas City8.3
Luis MateoSioux City8.1
Eddie MedinaSt. Paul8.1
Dylan MouzakesCleburne8.0
Michael TamburinoLincoln/Fargo-Moorhead7.9