The 2015 Pacific Association season was the third season of the Pacific Association. There was a four team 77 game schedule. Most series included a three-game series with each team having 39 home games. The Pittsburg Mettle became the Pittsburg Diamonds for the 2015 season.
The San Rafael Pacifics entered the season as defending champions, having won both halves of the 2014 Pacific Association season.
The playoffs concluded on August 31, with the San Rafael Pacifics defeating the Sonoma Stompers 4–3 in the league's 2015 championship game.
Team and rule changes The four teams in the league played a 77-game schedule. Each team played 39 games for the first and second half of the season. Each half champion would receive a place in the best-of-one championship game.
In 2015, the Sonoma Stompers hired Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller to advise the team using their 'sabermetrics' theory of player management. They went on to write a book about their experience, called 'The Only Rule Is It Has to Work'.
In June, Sonoma Stompers' pitcher Sean Conroy became baseball's first openly gay professional player. On the Stompers' pride night, Conroy threw a complete game shutout win.
In July, the San Rafael Pacifics used three cameras stationed at different points around the ballpark, and used a robo umpire for the strike zone. Eric Byrnes would then announce balls and strikes.
Regular season standings as of August 31, 2015
Pacific Association+ Regular Season Standings Pos Team G First half record Second half record Season record Pct. GB1x – San Rafael Pacifics7819–1929–1148–30.615--2x – Sonoma Stompers7726–1118–2244–33.5713.53e – Pittsburg Diamonds7718–2020–1938–39.4949.54e – Vallejo Admirals7813–2612–2725–53.32123.0
y – Clinched division x – Clinched playoff spot e – Eliminated from playoff contention
Statistical leaders
Hitting Stat Player Team Total HR Matt Chavez San Rafael Pacifics 31 AVG Scott David Pittsburg Diamonds .384 RBIs Matt Chavez San Rafael Pacifics 85 SB Matt Hibbert Sonoma Stompers 32
Pitching Stat Player Team Total W Gregory Paulino, Max Beatty Sonoma Stompers, San Rafael Pacifics 8 ERA Dennis Neal Vallejo Admirals 2.47 SONick DeBarr San Rafael Pacifics 115 SV Steve Chapter Pittsburg Diamonds 14
To qualify as league leader for hitter, AVG - Minimum of plate appearances of 2.7 per team game. To qualify as league leader for pitcher, ERA - Minimum inning(s) of .8 pitched per team game.
Playoffs Format In 2015, The winner of the first and second half played a best-of-one championship game. The Sonoma Stompers won the first half with a 26–11 record. The San Rafael Pacifics won the second half with a 29–11 record. The Pacifics hosted the Stompers on August 31.
Individual Awards Award Player Team Most Valuable Player Matt Chavez San Rafael Pacifics Pitcher of the Year Max Beatty San Rafael Pacifics Reliever of the Year Sean Conroy Sonoma Stompers Rookie of the YearMark Hurley Sonoma Stompers Manager of the Year Aaron Miles Pittsburg Diamonds Executive of the Year Mike Shapiro San Rafael Pacifics
Defensive Players of the Year
Position Player Team C Isaac Wenrich Sonoma Stompers 1B Daniel Baptista Sonoma Stompers 2B Yuki Yasuda Sonoma Stompers SS Daniel Gonzalez San Rafael Pacifics 3B T.J. Gavlik Sonoma Stompers LF Matt Hurley Sonoma Stompers CF Zack Pace San Rafael Pacifics RF Matt Hibbert Sonoma Stompers P Sean Conroy Sonoma Stompers
Notable players Former Major League Baseball players who played in the Pacific Association in 2015 Jose Canseco (Pittsburg), (Sonoma) Aaron Miles (Pittsburg) Tony Phillips (Pittsburg) Tony Torcato (Pittsburg)
Other notable players who played in the Pacific Association in 2015 Sean Conroy (Sonoma) Fehlandt Lentini (Sonoma) P. J. Phillips (Vallejo)
References