Dodgers Prospects Begin PCL Championship Chase Tonight
The Oklahoma City Comets begin their pursuit of a Pacific Coast League championship tonight with several notable Dodgers prospects along for the postseason run.
Oklahoma City will face the Las Vegas Aviators in Game 1 of the best-of-three PCL Championship Series at Las Vegas Ballpark. First pitch is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. MDT, and the game will be streamed free through MiLB.
The Comets earned their place in the series by winning the PCL’s second-half title. Las Vegas, the Triple-A affiliate of the Athletics, qualified by finishing first during the opening half of the season.
Mike Sirota Joins Oklahoma City For Championship Run
Mike Sirota enters the series after receiving a late promotion from Double-A Tulsa.
Sirota reached base four times in his Triple-A debut Saturday, collecting a double and drawing three walks. The performance continued a season in which reaching base became routine for one of the fastest-rising players in the Dodgers organization.
The 22-year-old produced a .985 OPS across High-A Great Lakes and Double-A Tulsa while reaching base in 72 consecutive games. MLB Pipeline ranks him as the Dodgers’ No. 2 prospect and the No. 15 prospect in baseball.
Sirota only appeared in two Triple-A games before the regular season ended, making the championship series an opportunity to gain additional experience against upper-level pitching.
James Tibbs III Gives Comets A Proven Run Producer
James Tibbs III enters the postseason after completing one of the most productive offensive seasons in recent PCL history.
Tibbs finished with 30 home runs, 107 RBIs, 109 runs and 108 walks, becoming the first PCL player since 1982 to record at least 100 runs, 100 RBIs and 100 walks in the same season.
He led the league in walks, extra-base hits and total bases while finishing second in home runs, RBIs and runs scored.
Tibbs’ combination of power and patience gives Oklahoma City a dangerous presence in the middle of the lineup as the Comets attempt to win two games against Las Vegas.
Jackson Ferris Helped Send Oklahoma City To The Playoffs
Jackson Ferris delivered the performance that officially secured Oklahoma City’s place in the championship series.
The left-hander pitched a career-high 7⅔ scoreless innings against El Paso on September 16, allowing only one infield single and one walk while striking out 13. Oklahoma City won 12-0 to clinch the second-half title.
Ferris finished the regular season on an impressive run, allowing no more than one earned run in each of his final six starts. He was named PCL Pitcher of the Week for September 14-20 following his dominant outing.
MiLB had not announced Oklahoma City’s Game 1 starter as of Tuesday afternoon, so Ferris should not be assumed to be taking the mound tonight. His presence still gives the Comets an important rotation option during the short series.
Two Wins Separate Oklahoma City From PCL Title
Oklahoma City finished the regular season with a PCL-best 89-60 record, while Las Vegas finished 87-61.
That season-long success will not provide much margin for error in a three-game series. Game 2 is scheduled for Wednesday night, with a deciding Game 3 set for Thursday if necessary. All three games will be played in Las Vegas because the Aviators won the first-half title.
The PCL champion will advance to face the International League champion in the Triple-A National Championship Game on Saturday, September 26, at Las Vegas Ballpark.
For Dodgers fans, the series provides an opportunity to watch several players who could become part of the organization’s future.
Sirota, Tibbs and Ferris have already produced breakout performances this season. Their next challenge is helping Oklahoma City bring home a championship.