Auburn Doubledays 2016 Recap

There has been a New York-Penn League (NYPL) team located in Auburn, NY since 1958. Hopefully, the Doubledays aren’t going anywhere.

Back in May, The Washington Post reported that an investment group was planning to purchase the Batavia Muckdogs (another NYPL team), move it to Waldorf, Maryland, and become a Class A affiliate of the Washington Nationals. The deal fell through and it didn’t happen. In September, the Nationals announced that their agreement with Auburn was extended through the 2018 season. Good news on both counts for Auburn fans.

The Doubledays are owned by the city of Auburn. In October, it was announced that the city had hired a financial advisor specializing in the sports industry, to help the city sell the team. The estimated value of the team is $6 million (in case you might be interested in becoming a baseball team owner). However, there are no guarantees that a purchaser won't move the team out of Auburn. This month, the Auburn City Council approved a plan to form a city-owned limited liability corporation to run the team.

Although the long term future of the Doubledays is up in the air and they finished the 2016 season 21.5 games out of first place in the Pinckney Division with a 28-47 record, there are some positive things to talk about.  General Manager Mike Voutsinas  was selected as the 2016 NYPL Executive of the Year and was also named co-winner of the NYPL Community & Baseball Service Award. Attendance increased for the third straight year and is up 23% since 2013.

For complete 2016 team statistics, click here.

2016 Record: 28-47

Attendance: 52,811 (37 home dates); 1,427 average per game  

Prospects to watch:

 Nick Banks: Outfielder, selected in the 4th round in 2016; attended Texas A&M; 6’1”, 215; 277/.310/.320 in 60 games with the Doubledays; selected to the NYPL All Star game.

Weston Davis: Pitcher, selected in the 11th round of the 2014 out of high school; 6’3”, 185; played in the Gulf Coast League in 2014; did not play in 2015 (shoulder injury); 2.67 ERA, 0.93 WHIP in 11 starts in 2016; selected to the NYPL All Star game.

Jake Noll: 2B, selected in the 7th round of the 2016 draft; attended Florida Gulf Coast; 6’2”, 195; briefly with the Gulf Coast Nationals (Rookie), then assigned to Doubledays (318/.343/.424 in 18 games); finished season with Hagerstown Suns (SAL)(.259/.310/.388).

Ryan Ripken: 1B, selected in 15th round of 2014 draft; attended Indian River State College; 6’6”, 205; assigned to Gulf Coast League Nationals (Rookie) in 2014 and 2015, began 2016 season with the Hagerstown Suns (SAL) before reassignment to the Doubledays (209/.262/.265 in 58 games). Son of Hall of Famer Cal Ripken.

Tyler Watson: Pitcher, selected in the 34th round of the 2015 draft out of high school; 6'5", 200; played 2015 season with the Gulf Coast Nationals (Rookie); 2.64 ERA, 0.91 WHIP in 9 starts with the Doubledays in 2016; finished season with the Hagerstown Suns (SAL); selected to the NYPL All Star game.

Stadium information: The Doubledays play home games at Leo Pinckney Field at Falcon Park. The "new" Falcon Park opened in June 1995, replacing the original Falcon Park which was built in 1927 on the same site. Falcon Park seats 2,800 fans.

For ticket information click here.

2017 Draft: Affiliate Washington Nationals pick 28th in the June draft.

Opening Day 2017: Home opener vs. Batavia Muckdogs on June 20. Complete 2017 schedule, click here.

Photo Credits: MiLB.com

The Stedler Report is not affiliated with Minor League Baseball or the New-York-Penn League.