Like the Woodpeckers, the Tourists had a rough season overall in 2024, but still had some noteworthy performances. Let’s take a look.
Other Reviews:
2024 Record: 51-79, South Atlantic League South Division
The Tourists got off to a tough start going 9-12 in 21 games in April. May was a struggle too as the Tourists went 12-15 in 27 games. In June they improved a little bit putting together a .500 month going 12-12 in 24 games. The struggles returned in July as Asheville went 8-15 in 23 games. August was a tough month as well as the squad went just 9-19 in 28 games. They finished the season off going 1-7 during the month of September and finished 51-79 overall.
Here are the team leaders (min 150 AB or 40 IP):
TEAM LEADERS
Hits – Luis Baez (100)
2B – Luis Baez/Austin Deming (22)
3B – John Garcia/Narbe Cruz/Jeron Williams (2)
HR – Luis Baez (20)
RBI – Luis Baez (67)
BA – John Garcia (.293)
SB – Logan Cerny (26)
OPS – John Garcia (.852)
wRC+ – John Garcia (143)
IP – Edinson Batista (115.0)
W – Edinson Batista/Franny Cobos (6)
SV – Railin Perez/Jeremy Molero (3)
SO – Nic Swanson (115)
ERA – Jose Guedez (3.24)
NOTABLES
John Garcia, C
Garcia was the Astros 19th round pick in the 2022 draft. The catcher had a breakout season in 2024 hitting .293 with 21 doubles, 10 home runs and 9 stolen bases. The 21 doubles was second on the team and he had the best wRC+ on the squad with a 143, minimum 150 PAs. Garcia proved to be a legit catching prospect and one to watch next season as he moves up to Corpus Christi.
Nic Swanson, RHP
Swanson pitched a large part of the season in Asheville, which is a tough place to pitch. In 25 games in High-A, the right-hander struck out 115 in 107 innings while posting a 4.88 ERA. He earned a late season promotion to Double-A and made one outing allowing 2 runs over 4.1 innings. A really solid season for the 2021 16th round pick.
Luis Baez, OF
Baez was a huge signing for the Astros a few years ago and this year was his first breakout season. At 20-years-old he spent most of the season in High-A and hit .263 with 22 doubles, 2o home runs and 67 runs batted in, all which led the team. He spent some time in Double-A and drove in 9 over 14 games. The numbers alone are impressive, but to do it at a couple years below the league average age is even better. Read more on Baez here.
Jose Guedez, RHP
Guedez kind of came out of nowhere this season and put together some good numbers. In a tough place to pitch, the right-hander posted a 3.24 ERA with 77 strikeouts in 66.2 innings. He also held opposing hitters to just a .213 BAA. Unfortunately he had an injury that cut his season short with his last outing being in mid-July.
Logan Cerny, OF
Cerny was acquired by the Astros in the deal that sent Stubbs to the Phillies a few years ago. After a rough 2023, he got back on track a bit in 2024 posting a .773 OPS with 17 doubles, 14 home runs and 26 stolen bases in 73 games for Asheville. He played 33 games in Double-A and added another 2 home runs and 6 stolen bases.
Austin Deming, INF
Deming signed for just $7,500 in 2023, but has clearly outperformed his draft status. The 24-year-old hit .264 in High-A before a promotion to Double-A where he had a .857 OPS to finish off the year. Overall, he hit .262 with 24 doubles, 19 home runs and 63 runs batted in across 113 games in 2024. He is another college hitter that has performed well in the system.
Be sure to follow on Twitter, @AstrosFuture, follow me on Instagram, @AstrosFuture and like my Facebook page, facebook.com/AstrosFuture.
