The Las Vegas 51s have been extremely average to start of the 2016 campaign, with an 13-13 record through 26 games, and two games behind the first place Salt Lake Bees, affiliates of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Their middling record is partly due to the offensive issues they had to start the season. They had a stretched where they lost six of seven games scoring only 15 runs in tose losses.

Through the first 22 games their .275 team batting average was eighth out of sixteen in the Pacific Coast League, their .752 OPS was seventh. They were thirteenth in home runs with only 12, which is shocking considering Las Vegas has a history of being a hitter’s ballpark.

The team batting average and OPS has since rose to fourth in the league and that is partially because the top prospects in Triple-A, Gavin Cecchini (.424 in last 10), Brandon Nimmo (eight RBI in last 7), and Dilson Herrera (two homer, five RBI game), have all started to hit in the last week or so.

While the emergence of their big bats is important, both towards their development and the success of the 51s, what should not be forgotten are the players who kept the 51s within striking distance of the Pacific Southern Division: the Quadruple-A players.

A Quadruple-A player is basically someone who can play in Triple-A at a high level, but probably will not make it in the Majors. The three Quadruple-A players who really have kept the 51s afloat while their big bats struggled to find their rhythm are Ty Kelly, Travis Taijeron, and T.J. Rivera.

Ty Kelly, the super utility man who can play all over the diamond, is tearing the cover off the ball so far this year. He is leading the entire Pacific Coast League with a .387 average, coupled with a .955 OPS, ten RBI, an 18.1% wake rate, and a 190 wRC+. The numbers speak for themselves; he is having quite the season thus far.

Travis Taijeron is another player who, not only exemplifies the term Quadruple-A, but someone who is dominating in Las Vegas. His .310 average is 3rd on the team, his 18 RBI are second, his 27 hits are second, and his four home runs lead the team. He also has a .988 OPS and a 163 wRC+. Not only is he leading the 51s in homers, but his 9 doubles lead the team as well; he is really driving the ball well so far this year. He has big power, which is well known, and he is showing it in Las Vegas, as the premier power threat of the 51s.

The player that has arguable meant the most to the 51s offense is T.J. Rivera who the Mets seemingly believe is a AAAA player while a large group of fans think he should be given a chance in Flushing. He is hitting .354/.388/.557 with a team leading 20 RBI and three home runs which is second on a team that has hit only 18. He has also struck out only eight times in 22 games this year.

Matt Reynolds (2nd on team with 18 runs) and Roger Bernadina (leads team with eight SB) have contributed throughout the season as well to some degree. However, Las Vegas 51s would be in a large hole without the contributions of players that many fans forget about. Quadruple-A players are extremely important to a Triple-A team; they add a level of professionalism and know-how to a roster with young prospects, and, in cases like this, can help keep the team afloat until those prospects arise from their slumps.