Rays' High-A affiliate scores fourth championship in the past six years

Hoisting the South Atlantic League championship banner has become something of a tradition for the Rays' High-A affiliate.

The Bowling Green Hot Rods captured its fourth title over the past six seasons with a 4-1 victory over the Hudson Valley Renegades (Yankees) in a winner-take-all Game 3 in the Championship Series at Heritage Financial Park. With a 75-54 regular-season record, the Hot Rods had been one of the most consistent teams on the circuit.

“All the work that they put in throughout the whole season, showing up every day, giving me their best,” Hot Rods manager Rafael Valenzuela said. “It's just awesome watching them celebrate. This is not something that happens every year, so I'm glad they enjoyed it.”

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In the fourth inning of the series finale, Tampa Bay's No. 19 prospect Mac Horvath singled and crossed the plate on Aidan Smith's double. Smith advanced on a passed ball and scored on a perfect bunt by Noah Myers. They were the first runs Renegades right-hander Trent Sellers (Yankees) had given up since Aug. 11.

Yankees No. 3 prospect George Lombard Jr. cut the deficit to one with a two-out double in the sixth, but that was the only run Rays No. 18 prospect Jackson Baumeister gave up over 5 2/3 innings. The 22-year-old struck out seven batters while allowing three hits and two walks.

After Raudelis Martinez doubled in a couple insurance runs in the top of the ninth, lefty Drew Sommers struck out three in the bottom of the frame to close out the victory.

Baumeister and Horvath were part of a three-prospect package the Rays received from the Orioles in a Trade Deadline deal for Zach Eflin. Both played in the Sally League for Aberdeen prior to the move.

“We were only able to watch them play at first,” Valenzuela said. “They were not only some good players, but they are also really good people. They came in and they fit right in with our group. They were key parts of our season.”

Three of the organization's top prospects, infielders No. 2 Xavier Isaac, No. 3 Brayden Taylor and No. 10 Tre' Morgan also had a hand in the Hot Rods' successful season before moving up to Double-A Montgomery. Taylor was promoted on July 30, Isaac followed soon after on Aug. 2 and Morgan moved up on Aug. 22.

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Other standouts included 2022 second-rounder Brock Jones, who topped the team in home runs (17), Colton Ledbetter (No. 24) with 16 home runs and a team-leading 65 RBIs and Cooper Kinney (No. 16) with 63 RBIs.

“Shoutout to all the guys for coming in and stepping up when we needed them to,” Valenzuela said. “There are a lot of unsung heroes that go into all of this. And credit to all the players. Even though we lost some guys, our players were ready. They were consistent with their work, they trusted all the work, and they were able to step up when we needed them.”