Twitter isn’t typically where one goes to make a mission statement. However, it’s where the Gastonia Honey Hunters made the club’s intention for the 2023 Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB) season crystal clear.
“On the hunt for the 2023 championship,” the Honey Hunters’ Twitter bio said, followed by a series of hashtags, including one aptly named “#HuntingSeason.”
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Gastonia has, so far, held off rival High Point in the first-half standings. Through Sunday, the Honey Hunters (41-18) led the Southern Division with the league’s best record, while High Point is 39-19. The Long Island Ducks (33-25) and York Revolution (32-25) sat atop the North Division.
Gastonia’s last head-to-head meeting with the Rockers in the first half is Friday at High Point.
The Honey Hunters have become an ALPB powerhouse in short order. After losing a league-high 66 games during its inaugural season in 2021, Gastonia has won 67% of games since the start of the 2022 campaign.
Here are a few reasons the Honey Hunters are on the verge of another playoff berth.
MVP season?
Acquired as a free agent this offseason, infielder Carlos Franco’s performance has him on a short list of players capable of taking the ALPB MVP award.
As of June 30, Franco leads the league in batting average (.378), hits (74) and RBIs (56). His 16 home runs are tied for fifth.
Franco also has 12 doubles and a team-high 39 walks.
Going deep
No Atlantic League team hits home runs with greater frequency than the Honey Hunters.
Gastonia leads the circuit with 109 through Sunday. It is on pace to break the club record of 180 home runs set during its inaugural season in 2021.
Three Honey Hunters have hit 15 or more home runs this season. After hitting 21 home runs during the 2022 campaign, Zach Jarrett leads Gastonia with 17.
Getting the job done
Although maybe lacking the flash and pizzazz of hard-hit baseballs or stolen bases, Gastonia’s pitching staff is a catalyst in the team’s success.
Going into June 30, the Honey Hunters lead the ALPB in strikeouts (553) and shutouts (5). They’ve allowed the second-fewest hits (448) and are second in ERA (4.31) and walks (188).
Gunnar Kines has seven wins, while Zach Mort has six to lead the Honey Hunters.
Mort has a 3.88 ERA with 58 strikeouts in 48 ⅔ innings pitched. Kines has a 3.80 ERA with 39 strikeouts in 42 ⅔ innings.
Zack Godley supplements the staff with a 4-3 record, 5.02 ERA and 78 strikeouts in 66 ⅓ innings.
Catch them while you can
In its brief history, Gastonia has served as an oasis for those looking to revive their big league aspirations.
Since the start of the 2023 campaign, eight players have been plucked from the Honey Hunters’ roster.
Five contracts were purchased by MLB clubs: Tim Naughton (Detroit), Jack Reinheimer (Kansas City), Bryan Sammons (Detroit), Tyler Thomas (New York Mets) and Marcus Walden (Seattle). Steven Moya and JC Escarra took their talents to the Mexican League, while pitcher and assistant coach Ian McKinney left for the Kiwomm Heroes of the Korean Baseball League.
Despite such departures, the Honey Hunters remain among the ALPB’s top teams.
Next three home series
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July 14-16: vs. Staten Island Ferryhawks
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July 18-20: vs. High Point Rockers
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August 1-3: vs. High Point Rockers
This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Gastonia Honey Hunters baseball: 5 things to watch during summer 2023