By Zane Miller
In the 20-season long history of the Dayton Dragons, the team has made a total of six postseason appearances, despite not having any championship finals appearances so far. As of this writing, Dayton’s best regular season record came in 2011 at 83-57, while their worst came in 2016 at 47-93. These are the top five single seasons by starting pitchers that I felt have stood out the most during the team history of the Dragons.
5. Scott Moss (2017)
The 108th overall pick of the 2016 draft out of Florida by the Cincinnati Reds made his way to a 13-6 record with the Dragons in 2017, going 135 and two-thirds innings with 11 home runs, 52 earned runs and 114 hits allowed to take a 3.45 ERA. Dayton claimed a 71-69 record to reach the 2017 playoffs, defeating the West Michigan Whitecaps two games to one in the first round, before losing to the Fort Wayne TinCaps two games to one in the second round.
4. Josh Smith (2011)
The 637th overall pick of the 2010 draft out of Lipscomb by the Reds earned a 14-7 record with the Dragons during the 2011 season, pitching 142 and a third innings while allowing 10 home runs, 47 earned runs and 122 hits, taking a 2.97 ERA. Dayton grabbed their franchise-best record at 83-57 to qualify for the 2011 playoffs, although they would lose to the Lansing Lugnuts two games to one in the first round. Smith would make his major league debut with the Reds in 2015.
3. Nick Travieso (2014)
The 14th overall pick of the 2012 draft out of Archbishop McCarthy High School in Florida by the Reds picked up a 14-5 record with the Dragons in 2014, going 142 and two-thirds innings while allowing 10 home runs, 48 earned runs and 123 hits for a 3.03 ERA. However, Dayton finished the season at 68-70, missing the 2014 playoffs.
2. Tyler Mahle (2015)
The 225th overall pick of the 2013 draft out of Westminster High School in California by the Reds went 13-8 with the Dragons on the 2015 season, giving up just seven home runs, 41 earned runs and 145 hits in 152 innings pitched to take a 2.43 ERA. However, Dayton would claim a 71-68 record to miss the 2015 playoffs. Mahle would make his major league debut with the Reds in 2017.
1. Ryan Mottl (2001)
The 183rd overall pick of the 2000 draft out of Clemson by the Reds pitched to a 15-6 record with the Dragons in 2001, as he went 152 and two-thirds innings with 15 home runs, 61 earned runs and 155 hits for a 3.60 ERA. Dayton scored an 82-57 record to make the 2001 playoffs, as they defeated the Lansing Lugnuts two games to none in the first round, before losing to the South Bend Silver Hawks two games to none in the second round.
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