On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
The Amarillo Sod Poodles, the Double-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, season ended on September 15, 2024 or this past Sunday. Three-fourths of the team's minor league team seasons have now ended.
It was a tough year for development in the hitter-friendly Texas League and Amarillo ballpark. Yet, there were far more breakout pitchers with the Sod Poodles this year than there were hitters. Very few hitters broke out.
This is partially due to the lack of top-end prospect talent. Not many top-30 prospects played for Amarillo and the ones that did were overwhelmingly pitchers. If you expand their top 30 prospects to 40, of their top 40 prospects, five of them were pitchers on Amarillo and just three were hitters.
This is due to the fact that a lot of prospects graduated to Triple-A Reno and the players from High-A Hillsboro just recently started moving up to Double-A late in the season like Gino Groover and Gavin Conticello.
While the Sod Poodles won the Championship last year, this year, they struggled with below .500 records in both the first half and second half of the season. In total, they had an overall record of 58-79 and finished in fourth place in their division.
They ended the season on a somber note with a stifled offense and pitching woes, but that doesn't mean that there weren't still some breakout players for the Sod Poodles.
Offensive Highlights
The star player for the Sod Poodles that played nearly the entire season for them was outfielder A.J. Vukovich. He recently got promoted to Triple-A, but prior to that, played in 121 games for for Amarillo. He led the team in OPS (.800), minimum of 100 at-bats, doubles (29), RBI (80), hits (123), and strikeouts (153).
Vukovich had a slash line of .270/.342/.458/.800 with three triples, 17 home runs, and 48 walks to go with it.
Multi-position player Caleb Roberts had a strong season as well. He played catcher, DH, and left field for the Sod Poodles, but focused mostly on catching. He posted strong numbers at the plate for a catcher.
Over 113 games, he had a slash line of .243/.339/.454/.793 with 101 hits, 68 runs, a team-leading four triples, 20 doubles, 20 homers, 65 RBI, 55 walks, and 120 strikeouts. Plus, he stole 11 bases.
Ivan Melendez showcased his power with 22 homers but that was the highlight of his season. He led the team in home runs but also struck out 133 times, a 33.3% rate of his plate appearances.
Tim Tawa had 21 home runs and 64 RBI to go with a .827 OPS before moving up to Triple-A and he did this in just 105 games. He recorded 111 hits plus 22 doubles and 11 stolen bases. He was the MVP of the team prior to moving up.
Deyvison De Los Santos had a standout season before moving up to Reno and then getting traded.
Andy Weber had a terrific year, over 34 games there, but he is 27 years old and was expected to do well. The same is true for Matt Beaty who is 31 years old. Both are well past the age of prospects at Double-A.
Groover impressed in his 13-game sample at Double-A. All he did was hit and make extremely loud contact. Over 50 at-bats, he led the team in OPS with 1.000 and had a triple-slash of .340/.400/.600.
Groover recorded 17 hits, four doubles, three homers, six RBI, five walks, and struck out just nine times. He stole a base and scored eight runs. Groover has set himself up for a major year next year in Amarillo. He might be a top-100 guy by the end of next season.
Pitching Highlights
The Sod Poodles saw a lot of pitchers experience relative success to the environment and reach multiple levels this year. Yilber Diaz was one who started the year in Double-A and is now with the Diamondbacks.
Top-five prospect, left-handed starter Yu-Min Lin was effective when healthy however he missed multiple months due to facial fractures thanks to a foul ball that hit him in the face. Still, over 19 games and 94.2 innings, Lin had a good 4.28 ERA for the league and stadium.
He walked 30 and struck out 94 while allowing 104 hits but just 14 home runs. His xFIP was 3.94 indicating that he was unlucky to have such a high ERA to some degree. He had the best ERA for a starting pitcher on this team.
Left-hander Spencer Giesting started the year at High-A before excelling there and moving up to Double-A. While he throws low-90s, he's found a way to be effective at missing bats and getting outs.
He had a 4.65 ERA over 15 games and 81.1 innings and allowed 84 hits, 10 homers, and just 31 walks. He struck out 87 hitters and had a 4.27 FIP. His xFIP was even better at just 3.71. Overall, it was quite a good season for Giesting and established himself as a top 30 prospect.
Joe Elbis was another starter who climbed up from High-A to establish himself as a top 30 prospect although he had some mixed results. In eight starts and 45 innings, he had a 4.60 ERA but walked just 18 and struck out 37. Plus, he had a much lower FIP at 4.19 and xFIP at 4.20.
Elbis limited loud contact and allowed just four home runs while generating ground balls at a 43% clip. Opponents hit just .235 against him which portends to potentially future success.
Two relievers stood out among the many bullpen arms. Right handed reliever Kyle Amendt who climbed from High-A to Triple-A this year was their best reliever. He had a pit stop of 18.2 innings in Amarillo.
Over those 18.2 innings and 19 games, he had just a 2.89 ERA and allowed only eight hits and six runs while walking eight and striking out an eye-popping 30 hitters. He had a 0.86 WHIP and opponents hit just .127.
His FIP was an outstanding 2.18 speaking to how good he did there. Amendt was drafted just last year in the ninth round and is setting himself up for a potential MLB call-up next year.
The other reliever was Jake Rice, a left-hander, who at 27 years old isn't a prospect but could be knocking on Chase Field's door next year after reaching Reno this year.
Over 41 games and 49.1 innings, Rice had a 3.47 ERA and allowed only 38 hits, three homers, 27 walks, and struck out 58. His FIP was a strong 3.61. While he walked a few too many hitters, the strikeout total is impressive and speaks to his ability to miss bats and locate pitches.
The Amarillo Sod Poodles struggled this year but have plenty to look forward to for next year. They are going to be getting an influx of talent to start next season and will see even more reach their level as D-backs prospects climb the ladder over the first half of next year. It's just one more stop after this from reaching the Arizona Diamondbacks.
More must-reads:
- Best MLB trades from the last decade: American League
- Best MLB trades from the last decade: National League
- The '250-strikeout MLB seasons' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
TODAY'S BEST
Cubs Predicted To Sign Star Outfielder To Mega-Deal This Winter
It has been a fantastic season for the Chicago Cubs, and a significant reason is because of a singular offseason decision. After winning 83 games the past two seasons, the Cubs got aggressive during the offseason to improve. Chicago was a team that was heading in the right direction but lacking a superstar to help push them over the top. To the surprise of many, they were able to accomplish that with a blockbuster trade that brought Kyle Tucker of the Houston Astros in. Before being traded to Chicago, Tucker was establishing himself as a star with the Astros, but he may have flown under the radar a bit with some other big names on the team. For four straight years, he was able to total a bWAR of 4.5 or higher, with his bWAR being over 5.0 in three of those campaigns. Even though he might not have been a national name before the trade, Tucker was a key part of the success for Houston. Tucker's cost The price to acquire him certainly wasn’t cheap for the Cubs. They sent three very good players to the Astros, with Isaac Paredes and Cam Smith both having a massive impact already for Houston. It was a steep price for a player entering the final year of his contract, and that is something that is still looming over the heads of the organization. Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report recently predicted that Tucker would sign an 11-year, $441 million deal this offseason to remain with the Cubs. “Without so much as a close runner-up, Kyle Tucker is the crown jewel of this year's free agency class.” While the numbers might seem big for the proposed contract, Tucker is a true star in the game and is going to certainly be getting north of $400 million. When looking at the recent contract extension for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays, he is going to be making an average salary of just over $35 million per year throughout his contract. That seems like a fair spot to start for Tucker, who is going to be the top prize in free agency. Luckily, what could end up benefiting the Cubs is that there might not be a ton of competition to sign him in free agency. Juan Soto’s price went through the roof with the New York Mets and New York Yankees both pursuing him last winter. However, as of now, the market for Tucker might not be as crazy as it has been in recent years. For the Cubs, keeping Tucker this winter is going to be their top priority and would be a crushing blow if they lost him in free agency. The Latest Chicago Cubs News Division Matchups And Blue Jays Clash Set Tone For Cubs Playoff Chase Cubs Should Avoid Reunion With Recently Released Former All-Star Pitcher Cubs Star Prospect Owen Caissie Reacts To MLB Trade Deadline, Not Being Moved Cubs New Starting Pitcher Set To Debut Against Reds Next Week
Steelers Fans Watch As Stephen A. Smith Destroys George Pickens In Epic Rant: 'Pick Up A Book'
Now, the Steelers’ wide receiver room is in an interesting spot. With Pickens gone, Metcalf is the clear number one option, but there are questions about who will step up behind him. Meanwhile, Pickens seems to be enjoying his time in Dallas. He has taken a few subtle jabs at the Steelers, suggesting he is in a better place and even praising the Cowboys for their Super Bowl history. His comments have raised eyebrows among fans and analysts alike. One person who wasn’t impressed was ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith. During a passionate segment on First Take, Smith ripped into Pickens for his remarks about the Cowboys being a Super Bowl team. He reminded Pickens that the Steelers are the more successful franchise and questioned whether the receiver understood what he was saying. Smith didn’t hold back, calling on Pickens to "pick up a book" and making it clear that he found the comments not only disrespectful, but uninformed. "Let me pause for a second and look in the camera for a second at George Pickens," Smith said. "I like George Pickens. He can ball, and I am sorry that he is gone from the Steelers and has now been contaminated by that Dallas Cowboys fan base." Pickens’ comments were very interesting. It’s no secret he feels a certain way about how the Steelers traded him. He’s been trying to keep a positive mindset about his new situation in Dallas, but it’s clear he’s made it a priority to throw in a few subtle jabs. Pickens said he understands the camaraderie in Dallas more than he ever did with the Steelers. He also claimed the Cowboys are synonymous with Super Bowls, which was a controversial statement considering the Steelers have more championships all-time than Dallas. "Here’s the deal," Smith said. "George Pickens, do you have any idea? When you talk about the Super Bowl and the Cowboys, you do understand that the Steelers are the more successful franchise. Did you know that? Did you know that? Do you understand what the he** you are saying? I mean, my God, you talk about a brother who needs to pick up a book. I am sorry, but I just have to call him out on that." Smith made it very clear that he thinks Pickens is a great football player and that he’s still a fan of his, even though he’s no longer on the Steelers. When you consider what Pickens was able to accomplish during his three seasons in Pittsburgh, it’s impressive. He played in one of the worst offenses in the NFL, yet he still managed to produce and deliver some truly exciting moments despite the team’s struggles. Steelers Fans Still Curious About George Pickens Now he finds himself in a much better offensive situation in Dallas, but from a franchise and team standpoint, the Cowboys are in a worse position than the Steelers. That’s why Pickens’ recent comments didn’t make much sense and why Smith felt the need to call him out during his epic rant. Many Steelers fans remain divided on the Pickens trade. Although he’s no longer in Pittsburgh, a lot of fans will continue to keep tabs on how he performs with the Cowboys. Whether out of frustration, curiosity, or lingering support, Pickens' journey in Dallas will be closely watched by Steeler Nation.
Minnesota Vikings Concerned About Performance Of One Critical Position
The NFL preseason is a time for optimism—a chance for fans and coaches alike to dream about overcoming obstacles and achieving greatness. But for Minnesota Vikings fans, there’s one lingering issue that tempers any excitement year after year: the team’s ongoing struggle to find consistency at the kicker position. Now, as training camp unfolds, that familiar uncertainty has crept back in. The Vikings’ current kicker, Will Reichard, is facing scrutiny following a shaky camp performance that has reignited concerns about whether Minnesota can finally close the book on its long, frustrating history with kickers. Minnesota Vikings: A Rocky Start for Will Reichard in 2025 Struggles in Training Camp Will Reichard came to the Minnesota Vikings with high expectations. After being selected in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, he was viewed as a potential long-term solution to the team’s troubles at kicker. For a brief moment early in his rookie season, it seemed like the Vikings had struck gold—Reichard began his career with a perfect 14-for-14 streak on field goals, including four impressive conversions from beyond 50 yards. But things began to unravel. A quad injury midway through the season disrupted his rhythm, keeping him sidelined for four games and impacting his performance upon his return. Over his final five games, Reichard made just 10 of 14 field goal attempts, missing key kicks that left fans uneasy. Fast forward to training camp in 2025, and Reichard’s form appears to still be a work in progress. Reports from camp have described misses on routine field goal attempts, including two inside 40 yards during a recent session. These struggles are especially concerning for a team that frequently finds itself involved in close games where field position and special teams play a pivotal role. Root Causes of Reichard’s Struggles Special teams coordinator Matt Daniels acknowledged earlier this offseason that Reichard’s exhaustive rookie year may have played a role in his late-season slide. “The guy basically played eleven straight months of football without a break,” Daniels said, referencing his college playoff games, Senior Bowl participation, and NFL pre-draft commitments. This demanding schedule, combined with the physical toll of an NFL season, may have contributed to the quad injury and subsequent dip in performance. But excuses, while understandable, won’t satisfy Vikings fans who’ve grown weary of the team’s perpetual kicking carousel. The NFL is an unforgiving league, and the clock is ticking for Reichard to prove he can handle the pressure that comes with being an NFL kicker. The Vikings’ Troubled History with Kickers A Legacy of Heartbreak For much of their history, the Minnesota Vikings have been haunted by a seemingly endless cycle of kicker-related heartbreak. From missed playoff kicks to ill-fated experiments with new talent, the team’s inability to find stability at the position has cost them dearly. One of the most infamous moments came during the 1998 NFC Championship Game, when Gary Anderson—who had been perfect all season—missed a critical field goal that ultimately contributed to the Vikings’ loss. More recently, a missed 27-yard field goal by Blair Walsh during the 2015 playoffs sent shockwaves through a stunned fanbase. These moments aren’t just isolated mistakes; they’ve cast a long shadow over the franchise, leaving kickers who wear the Vikings jersey under unparalleled scrutiny. High Expectations in a High-Pressure Role The psychological toll of being a Vikings kicker is difficult to overstate. For any player stepping into the role, the expectations are sky-high, and even minor errors are magnified. It’s a position where good performance is expected but rarely celebrated, and failure—however fleeting—can define a career. This legacy of intense pressure raises questions. How much of the Minnesota Vikings’ kicker struggles are physical, and how much is mental? With Reichard now under the microscope, the team must evaluate whether his training camp struggles are a short-term hiccup or indicative of deeper issues. What Comes Next for the Minnesota Vikings? Patience or Panic? The NFL preseason offers Reichard a chance to put his training camp woes behind him. Preseason games, while still lower-stakes than the regular season, are a litmus test for kickers. If Reichard can bounce back and deliver reliable performances, he could cement his spot as the team’s starter before Week 1. But if the struggles persist, the Vikings may be forced to revisit their options. With veteran free agents potentially available and camp cuts creating opportunities, Minnesota could bring in competition to push Reichard or provide a backstop in case things continue to go south. Fixing Fundamentals Some factors affecting Reichard’s performance may extend beyond his own capabilities. The kicking operation—the trio of kicker, holder, and long snapper—requires precision. Reports from training camp indicate the team is testing new holding candidates, which could add instability to Reichard’s attempts. Straightening out these technical aspects will be critical as the team evaluates its special teams unit. A Familiar Feeling for Fans For Vikings fans, anxiety over the kicker spot is nothing new. Every wide-left miss or low-pressure shank in camp feels like déjà vu, a reminder of past heartbreaks that are all too fresh in their minds. But while skepticism runs high, so does the cautious hope that this time—finally—the team may find a solution. Final Thoughts The Minnesota Vikings’ search for consistency at the kicker position remains an ongoing saga, with Will Reichard’s training camp struggles adding another chapter to a story that’s defined by frustration and unmet expectations. However, the preseason still offers hope—hope that Reichard can reset and realign before the stakes become real. For now, though, the Minnesota Vikings walk a tightrope. If Reichard can rise to the challenge, stabilize his form, and deliver when it matters most, he could put an end to years of uncertainty. But if the struggles continue, the team must act quickly to avoid letting special teams woes derail another season. For Vikings fans, all they can do is hold their collective breath—and hope history doesn’t repeat itself.
Broncos' Sean Payton adds to Bo Nix hype with bold prediction
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton believes his team is a legitimate Super Bowl contender after quarterback and 2024 first-round draft pick Bo Nix was better than advertised as a rookie starter. During a recent chat with Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, Payton gave the Nix hype train some extra momentum via a bold prediction regarding what the 25-year-old will be a couple of years down the road. "I honestly think he’s gonna be one of the top quarterbacks within the next two years," Payton said about Nix. "I think he’s going to be a superstar." Some suggested in the spring of 2024 that Payton and Co. reached when they made Nix the 12th overall pick of last year's draft. Nix then went 10-7 as a starter as he guided the club to a playoff berth. Per Pro Football Reference, Nix ended the 2024 regular season ranked sixth in the NFL with 29 touchdown passes, 12th with 3,775 passing yards and 19th among qualified players with a 56.8 adjusted QBR. In total, 23 quarterbacks took more sacks than Nix (24) during the campaign. According to StatMuse, no signal-caller took more sacks than Russell Wilson did with the Broncos from Week 1 of the 2022 campaign through the end of the 2023 regular season. "Who gets the blame? 'God, the line’s gotta get better.' And it’s always the line. The sack is a quarterback stat," Payton added. "We had 24 [in 2024]. I had Bobby Hoying [in the late 1990s], third-round pick. Man, he was a great-looking prospect. He took three or four sacks a game. It’s a processing thing. It’s decision-making, multi-tasking, ball out." As of Monday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Broncos at -140 betting odds to make the playoffs for the upcoming season. Somewhat interestingly, that same outlet had Nix and Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams at +3500 odds to claim the Most Valuable Player Award for the campaign. If Nix can follow in Stafford's footsteps through early 2026, Payton could be right about the current Denver squad competing for more than just a postseason berth.
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
