Blankenhorn named first half MVP, Wood named most popular player

July 18, 2024 – International League (IL)
Rochester Red Wings press release

As the Red Wings prepare to return to action after the All-Star break, the fans have spoken, bestowing the prestigious honors of First-Half MVP on Travis Blankenhorn and Most Popular Player on James Wood. Both players have delivered remarkable performances in the first half, earning their accolades through consistent excellence and standout contributions on the court. Their efforts have helped the Red Wings post a 51-40 record, including a 13-5 start to the second half, good enough to put Rochester atop the International League.

James Wood: Most Popular Player

2nd place: Travis Blankenhorn

3rd place: Darren Baker

4th place: Amos Willingham

James Wood emerged as a fan favorite, and for good reason. Despite a brief stint on the injured list, Wood maintained impressive statistics before receiving the long-awaited call-up to the Big Leagues on July 1. In 52 games with Rochester, he posted a .353 batting average (67-for-190), a .463 on-base percentage and a 1.058 OPS in 231 plate appearances. Wood also belted 10 home runs (all outs) and drove in 37 runs, further cementing his position as one of the best players in the International League and one of the top prospects in baseball. Wood also won the International League Player of the Month for May, as well as the International League Player of the Week for the week of May 3-12.

His July 1 call-up followed an updated Baseball America Top Prospect rankings, which named James Wood the number one prospect in the sport. At the time of his promotion, Wood led Washington’s minor league system and ranked among all minor league hitters in batting average (2nd, .353), on-base percentage (2nd, .463), OPS (2nd, 1.058) and slugging percentage (9th, .595). He reached base safely in 34 consecutive games from April 20 to June 27, showcasing his exceptional on-base skills. The 21-year-old was already known as the “Best Power Hitter” and the “Best Defensive Outfielder” in Washington’s minor league system.

In his debut against the New York Mets, Wood made an immediate impact, hitting a full count and a single to left-center field in his first MLB at-bat. He has continued his form since then, with 13 hits in his first 14 games, four walks, seven RBIs and five runs scored. These impressive statistics underscore why James Wood was named the Red Wings’ most popular player. During his time in Rochester, Wood continually dazzled fans with his exceptional basemanship, power and athleticism. Wood’s electrifying play and undeniable talent quickly won the hearts of Red Wings fans, cementing his status as the team’s most popular player in the first half.

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Travis Blankenhorn: Most Valuable Player

2nd place: James Wood

3rd place: Darren Baker

Travis Blankenhorn, the reigning 2023 Team MVP, has once again been a powerhouse for the Red Wings, winning the MVP title for the first half of the season and being named International League Player of the Week for the April 16-21 season. Blankenhorn’s offensive stats are nothing short of impressive. His 19 home runs rank third among all International League hitters, while his 59 RBIs place him fourth. In 318 plate appearances, the Pennsylvania native has registered a .309 on-base percentage and a .459 slugging percentage, resulting in a solid .768 OPS. Blankenhorn’s contributions include 71 hits, 16 doubles, and a triple, showcasing his ability to deliver in a variety of ways. His consistent power hitting has not only provided the Red Wings with crucial runs, but has also made him a cornerstone of their offensive strategy.

During the week of April 16-21, Blankenhorn displayed his exceptional skills by hitting .476 (10-for-21), hitting five home runs, a triple, and two doubles, and collecting eight RBIs against the Toledo Mud Hens. This remarkable performance earned him International League Player of the Week honors. Notably, his five-home run week came against a Toledo pitching staff that had allowed the second-fewest home runs in the IL prior to the series.

This comes one season after the 2015 third-round pick (80th overall by the Minnesota Twins) led the team with 23 home runs, the most by a left-handed hitter since Red Wings Hall of Famer Garrett Jones hit the same number in 2008. The Pottsville, Pennsylvania native re-joined the Nationals organization this past offseason when he was signed as a Minor League Free Agent on Dec. 22.

Blankenhorn is the Red Wings’ first league award winner this season (Pitcher or Player of the Week) and the first Player of the Week winner since INF Luis Garcia took home the honor for the week of April 12-17, 2022. He is just the second Red Wings to win the award since becoming a Nationals affiliate in 2021.

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Fans and teammates alike are looking forward to Blankenhorn’s continued dominance as the season progresses. His ability to drive runs and deliver at key moments has made him a cornerstone of the Red Wings’ offensive strategy, and his recent accolades only serve to reinforce his importance to the team.

Red Wings fans could be looking at a slugger who is about to knock on the door of the Red Wings Hall of Fame. After hitting 23 home runs last year and earning season-high MVP honors, Blankenhorn has hit 19 so far in 2024. The left-hander is just 33 homers shy of a top 10 spot on the Red Wings’ all-time home run list.

Mid-season highlights and upcoming matches

The Red Wings have had strong performances across the board, contributing to a successful first half of the season. Here are some notable performances:

Jack Dunn: Infielder Jack Dunn excels on defense and at bat. His .376 hitting percentage ranks second on the team, trailing only Carter Kieboom at .379.

Darren Baker: With 30 stolen bases, a personal best, Baker shares the International League record and is aiming for a new team record.

Adonis Medina and Joe LaSorsa: Both pitchers are exceptional in the bullpen, with ERAs of 3.40 and 2.28 respectively and impressive ground ball rates.

Rico Garcia: As a closer, Garcia ranks second in the league in saves, making 15 of his 16 chances.

Spenser Watkins: Watkins ranks fifth in the league in innings pitched, and his seven wins tie for fourth.

Streaks and recent achievements

The Red Wings have had a positive run, winning 7 of their last 10 games and 16 of their last 25 games. This strong performance is the key to their current position.

Notable players and achievements

Spenser Watkins: Reliable starting pitcher, who recently earned a win on July 13 with a solid performance.

Dylan Crews: Notable for his hit streak, in which he scored hits in 10 consecutive games from June 19-30.

Jackson Cluff: Impressive on the bases, with a perfect 13-of-13 stolen bases this season, which ranks third in the International League among players not caught stealing.

Team Statistics

The Red Wings have stolen 114 bases this season, fourth most in the International League.

The team’s batting average with runners in scoring position (RISP) is .255, indicating that despite their strong overall performance, there is still room for improvement.

Interesting facts

Stolen Bases: Jackson Cluff has been a standout on the basepaths, going a perfect 13-for-13 in stolen base attempts this season. The record ranks him third in the International League among players who have not been thrown out on the basepaths.

Team Stolen Base Stats: The Red Wings have collected 114 stolen bases this season, which is tied for the fourth-most in the International League. This shows the team’s aggressive and effective base-running strategy.

Individual Performance Series: Dylan Crews has shown consistency at the plate with an active hitting streak spanning 5 games in the second half, while Spenser Watkins has won 3 consecutive games, underscoring their contributions to the team’s success.

Notable Performance: In their recent performance, the Red Wings have posted a remarkable team ERA of 6.22, with starters posting a 7.40 ERA and relievers posting a 5.14 ERA in the last few games. This highlights strengths and areas for improvement within their pitching staff.

The first-place Red Wings will return to play tomorrow after the All-Star break in Syracuse before heading home on Tuesday, July 23, when the Wings begin a six-game homestand. The team will look to build on their momentum and continue their strong showing in the second half of the season.

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