Opponent Preview: Augusta GreenJackets
With 2019’s first road trip in the rear-view mirror, the team returns home to Appalachian Power Park to open up a four-game series against the Augusta GreenJackets. It’s time to drive deeper into who the GreenJackets are, and preview the series that fittingly takes place over Masters Weekend.
Who are the Augusta GreenJackets?
The Augusta GreenJackets have been a staple in the South Atlantic League since their inception in 1988, but has only been an affiliate of the San Francisco Giants since 2005. Augusta has claimed a Sally-league title four times in franchise history (1989, 1995, 1999 and 2008) which is tied for the most titles for any current SAL team.
The GreenJackets have been host to a bevy of future (and past) Major League stars under their current affiliation with the Giants, including names like Madison Bumgarner, Pablo Sandoval, Matt Duffy, and Jon Lester.
Last season, the GreenJackets opened the beautiful new SRP Park after 23 years at Lake Olmstead Stadium. The city of Augusta and the GreenJackets set a franchise record by drawing 255,155 fans to their 63 home games. On July 3, 2018, SRP park housed a single-game record 6,026 fans against the Columbia Fireflies. The new ballpark sits just a few miles away from the hallowed Augusta National golf course, home of the annual Masters golf tournament every April.
The 2019 Augusta GreenJackets
It’s a familiar face at the helm for the GreenJackets in 2019 with manager Carlos Valderrama returning after spending the 2018 season in the Arizona League. Valderrama was the manager for Augusta in their final season at Lake Olmstead Stadium in 2017, so due to the long road trip to start the season, he has yet to coach a game at SRP Park.
There are seven returnees heading back with Augusta for the start of the 2019 season, while 19 players are making their full-season minor league debut in 2019.
Current Status of the 2019 Season
Augusta is 3–3 after a four-game split with Asheville and a rain-shortened three-game series against Greenville to open the 2019 season. The GreenJackets start their season with a league-high 11-game road trip before returning back to SRP Park against Greensboro on April 15th.
The GreenJackets are averaging .248 as a team, good enough for third-highest in the league thus far. The trio of Frankie Tostado, Shane Matheny, and Diego Rincones have been blistering hot to start the season. All three have averages surpassing the .333 mark and have combined to tally 24 hits, eightextra-base hits and 15 RBI through the first six games. The pitching staff has not experienced the same success as the lineup so far, with Augusta holding a 4.59 ERA (12th in the SAL).
Series History
West Virginia and Augusta have played just 82 times since 2005, with the series dead even at 41–41 entering the four game set.
The two teams will square off seven times in 2019, with all seven match-ups being played at Appalachian Power Park (April 11–14 and May 8–10).
Last season, West Virginia played some of its most thrilling games against Augusta, including a pair of walk-off winners during their first encounter in early May. Ryan Peurifoy smacked the Power’s only walk-off home run of the season May 1 as part of a three-run ninth, while Kyle Watson ended Minor League Baseball’s longest game of the season with a base hit in the 15th inning May 3. The Power took the 2018 season series in convincing fashion 8–3.
Game Times and Broadcast Information
Game Schedule:
Thursday, April 11–7:05 PM
Friday, April 12–7:05 PM
Saturday, April 13–2:05 PM
Sunday, April 14–2:05 PM
Broadcast Information:
Listen to The Jock WJYP and WMON 1300 and 1340 AM locally in Charleston, or catch the game nationwide on our website or on the TuneIn Radio App by searching “West Virginia Power Baseball Network”. The game is also available via the MiLB First Pitch App. Pregame coverage begins 20 minutes before first pitch every night, with David Kahn and Kyle Youmans bringing you all the action.
