ERIE, Penn. – The Seawolves won the eastern league southwest division in the first half and tied the division with the Altoona Curve (Double-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates) in the second half. The teams both finished the second half with a record of 39-30 for a .565 win percentage.
The playoff format for Double-A, High-A, and Single-A affiliates consists of four teams per league in a best-of-3 division series, followed by a best-of-3 championship series.
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The four playoff participants per league are the winners of each division from both halves based on the best winning percentage of each half.
The second half of the Double-A season began on June 19. On July 7, the Tigers’ top three prospects SS Kevin McGonigle, OF Max Clark, and C/1B Josue Briceño were promoted from High-A West Michigan to Erie.
The big three crushed pitching at the High-A level and not much has changed since they’ve joined Erie’s roster.
Since being promoted, McGonigle has hit .254 with 12 home runs and 10 doubles, Clark has hit .251 with 7 home runs and 5 doubles, and Briceño is hitting .232 with 5 home runs and 6 doubles.
Altoona’s roster features the organization’s no. 1 prospect, and the no. 1 prospect in baseball, Konnor Griffin. He was promoted to Altoona in mid-August 2025.
Griffin is a towering 6’4”, 225 lb shortstop who the Pirates drafted in the first round of the MLB draft in 2024, ninth overall.
His tools were evaluated at: 50 (average) hit, 60 (plus) power, 70 (double plus) run, 60 field/defense, 60 arm strength.
He’s had a monster year in 2025, hitting .333 on the season with 21 home runs and 23 doubles, along with a whopping 65 stolen bases (this includes collective numbers from Low-A, High-A, and Double-A).
Kevin McGonigle is the no. 2 ranked prospect in baseball, drafted in 2023 by the Detroit Tigers 37th overall in the draft.
His tools were evaluated at: 65 (well above average) hit, 55 (strong average) in-game power, 55 run, 50 defense, 50 arm strength. He is most known for his elite bat-to-ball skills.
McGonigle has had a monster 2025 as well, hitting .305 on the season with 19 home runs and 31 doubles (this includes collective numbers from Low-A, High-A, and Double-A).
The series is currently tied 1-1 and tonight will decide who moves on to the championship series. The game will take place in UPMC Park in Erie, Pennsylvania at 6:35 PM ET.
Pitching probables:
Carlos Peña (8-8, 3.73 ERA) vs. Blake Townsend (8-4, 1.76 ERA)
Carlos Peña made his last start vs. Altoona Sept 12. He pitched 3.1 innings, surrendered one earned run, and struck out six batters.
Blake Townsend made his last start vs. Erie Sept 14. He pitched two innings, gave up one earned run (a home run to none other than Kevin McGonigle), and struck out two batters.