Earlier today I covered the fact that Marquez Smith was the only Red to make a minor league postseason all-star team. Well, that is no longer true after the Pioneer League released their psotseason squad that included two Billings Mustangs. Right handed starter Tyler Mahle and outfielder Aristides Aquino both made the team that included nine position players (DH included) and five pitchers.
Tyler Mahle posted a 3.87 ERA in 15 starts for the Mustangs that spanned 76.2 innings pitched. The 19-year-old walked just 15 batters and struck out 71. There aren’t many qualified starters in the league, but among them Mahle has the second best ERA, he’s third in the league in innings pitched, is second in strikeouts and third in WHIP.
Aristides Aquino has a triple slash line of .295/.345/.584 on the season. He ranks in the top 10 in the Pioneer League in runs (6th), hits (4th), doubles (1st), triples (5th), home runs (2nd), RBI (1st), extra-base hits (1st), steals (1st), slugging percentage (2nd) and OPS (6th). He had to be in the running for the league MVP Award, but it went to Idaho Falls first baseman Ryan O’Hearn.
The Pioneer League regular season has two games remaining, so the numbers could change for Aquino some in the next two games. The Mustangs will then begin the first round of the playoffs on Friday at home against Great Falls.