Scrappers’ rollercoaster season comes to an end

MV finishes summer 32-47 overall, wraps up with 4-3 loss to West Virginia

NILES -- The Mahoning Valley Scrappers opened their 2022 season with a three-game home sweep of West Virginia. The Scrappers would go on to win 10 of their first 11 games. It was the best 11-game stretch to start the season in Scrappers history.

By August 19, the Scrappers were 22-43 and teetering on the possibility of recording the worst record in franchise history.

Then in late August, the Scrappers became the hottest team in the MLB Draft League, winning six straight and eight of 10.

On Sunday at Eastwood Field, the Scrappers' rollercoaster season came to an end with a 4-3 loss to West Virginia.

The Scrappers end their season with a 32-47 (17-23) record. West Virginia (48-30, 23-13) will host Williamsport on Tuesday in a one-game Draft League championship game.

"This has been a great experience, I've learned a lot myself as a coach and manager," said Scrappers manager Homer Bush. "Throwing batting practice, hitting fungo, learning how to deal with first and third situations, when to pull pitchers, I've tried to get myself deeply involved in every aspect of the game."

"I'm not ready for the season to end. I wish we could continue, I wish we could play a couple of more weeks, especially given how this team has played the past couple of weeks."

The Scrappers had four players selected in July's MLB Draft. They were: Kohl Drake (11th round, Texas), Zach Dezenzo (12th round, Houston), Duncan Davitt (18th round, Tampa) and Eli Ankeney 20th round, New York Mets).

Dezenzo is a 2016 graduate of Marlington High School and is an Ohio State University product

"Our first half of the season, we as a staff really didn't want to mess with the kids too much," Bush said. "Between the start of the season and the draft break, there's a small window for them to show what they've learned in their first 20 or so years of life. We tried to assist where we could, while letting them showcase their skills."

Following the draft, the Scrappers had seven of their players sign free agent contracts.

League-wide, 47 players were drafted. A year ago, the league had 39 of its players selected in the draft.

Following the five-day draft break, the league's "second-half" resumed with new rosters consisting solely of professional players who have exhausted their amateur eligibility or otherwise wish to begin their professional careers.

"It was a bit crazy, the second half you're just thrown a roster and you have to make it happen," Bush said. "Not all rosters are constructed equally, and it took us a while to get guys in position and comfortable in their proper roles."

"We did a lot more managing the second half, and things really came together toward the end of the season. Our pitching coaches Ron (Mahay) and Craig (Antush) deserve a ton of credit for what they did with our staff."

Bush praised the Scrappers organization for "running an absolutely first-class operation in every way," and also acknowledged the fans "who are passionate and very warm and friendly." In fact, Bush is already looking forward to a possible return to Eastwood Field in June of 2023.

"I loved everything about this summer," Bush said. "Everything was perfect. My apartment, the demographics of this area. The proximity of the ball park to a lot of great restaurants and the easy access to the mall complex."

"I loved my time at Eastwood Field and I definitely would come back if the opportunity presents itself."

COACH'S CRITIQUE

Bush shared his thoughts on some of the players who performed at Eastwood Field this summer.

ZACH DEZENZO: "He stood out big-time. He has a Major League body and Major League pop. It's going to be nice to follow his career for the next few years to see if he can put it all together and play at the highest level."

JEFFREY WEHLER: "Definitely a big-time player. He deserves a shot to see what he can do at the next level because he has a lot of tools."

OSCAR PONCE: "A really good player. At the next level they sometimes want a certain look out of players. He doesn't fit the bill, but man he produces. He's a gamer."

RON WASHINGTON: "Crazy pop. He possesses a lot of skill, he can do a lot of things in the batter's box and between the lines."

ERIC SAPP: "A very crafty lefty who is very mature as a person and on the mound. You always feel good when he has the ball in his hands."

CHAD COLES: "It was good to see him progress from the first half to the second half of the season. The second half, he was just electric. His velocity was up and his splitter was nasty."

PARKER DEPASQUALE: "He is an interesting player for me. He's short in stature but man he has crazy pop. I really like him as a player and I've always been a fan of his, I love his swing."

WILL PRATER: He loves to play the game. He's one of those guys who can play 162 games and he'll give you quality at-bats and make plays."

ALEX CRUMP: He's a small guy but man he's going to block the ball and he's not going to hurt you behind the plate. And for a guy his size being able to hit the ball out of the park, it's crazy."

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