Former Red Wings Shine Bright in the 2025 MLB Postseason..and a few other Rochester Ties
- msilver851
- Oct 1
- 5 min read
The Rochester Red Wings have long been a launching pad for big-league talent. This October, that legacy is once again on display as a host of former Red Wings, from players and coaches to front office leaders…take center stage in the 2025 Major League Baseball playoffs. Rochester’s fingerprints can be found on nearly every corner of the postseason bracket.
Starting with the American League, we will see the following Rochester Alumni:
Boston Red Sox
Two familiar names with Rochester roots are helping shape the Red Sox playoff push.
Craig Breslow, who pitched three games for the Red Wings during the 2017 season, has served as Boston’s Chief Baseball Officer since October 2023.
Liam Hendriks, the fiery right-hander who appeared in 41 total games for Rochester from 2011-2013, appeared in 14 games with the Red Sox in 2025. Hendriks underwent elbow surgery, which ended his 2025 campaign.
Detroit Tigers
Tanner Rainey, a hard-throwing reliever with Rochester ties in 2021 and 2023 playing in a total of 16 games, joined the organization in July and had his contract selected by Detroit on September 21.
Cleveland Guardians
Lane Thomas also passed through Rochester, who played in three games during the 2021 season while on his way to becoming a dependable Major League outfielder. He was acquired by Cleveland via a trade that involved 2025 Red Wing José Tena in July 2024. Thomas was bitten by the injury bug in late September, which put an end to his 2025 campaign.
Seattle Mariners
Seattle may boast the strongest Red Wings connection in the postseason.
Mitch Garver spent two seasons with the Red Wings, playing in 110 games between 2016 and 2017, and now provides power from behind the plate for the Mariners…as if they needed any more thump from that position.
Jorge Polanco has been a steadying force in the infield, spending some of his earlier seasons (2015, 2016, and 2018) with Rochester logging a total of 101 games. The switch-hitting power threat was named to the International League All-Star team starting lineup in 2016 and joined former Red Wing and current Blue Jays arm Jose Berrios in the mid-summer classic.
Luke Raley took the field for the Red Wings in 2019 for a total of 33 games (injury), and his ability to change the game with one swing of the bat to the Mariners’ October quest bolsters the Seattle lineup.
Victor Robles, who played 33 games with the Rochester Red Wings (2021, 2023, and 2024), adds defensive excellence in center.
Jorge Polanco 
Mitch Garver
Toronto Blue Jays
José Berríos, one of the most talented pitchers to suit up in a Red Wings uniform in recent years, took the mound for the Red Wings a total of 36 times (2014-2017). The righty was named to the International League All-Star team in 2016 alongside fellow Red Wing and current Seattle slugger Jorge Polanco.
Fun Note: Ernie Clement, Brighton-native and Jays infielder, has been credited with being the utility star that has led Toronto the AL-East crown after he appeared in a 157 games (career-high)…the Rochester product also posted career-highs in hits (151), doubles (35), batting average (.272), OBP (.313), and OPS (.711) during his 2025 regular season campaign.
On the National League side, Rochester Alum include:
Cincinnati Reds
Zack Littell, a reliable right-hander for Rochester in 2018 and 2019, playing a total of 39 games, is slated to be a meaningful part of Red-October.
Matt Tracy, once a Red Wings lefty appearing in four games during the 2017 season, now guides Cincinnati relievers as their bullpen coach. Interestingly enough, Tracy called Rochester home during the 2020 COVID-shortened season, serving as the Pitching Analysis Coordinator when Toronto used Innovative Field as its alternate training site while its Big League team played in Buffalo.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Rochester alumni can be found both on the field and in the dugout for the Dodgers.
Anthony Banda played 33 games for Rochester in 2023, and Alex Call who played 87 games for the Red Wings (2022-2024) adds depth to Los Angeles’ roster. Banda looks to become a back-to-back World Series champion.
Danny Lehmann, a 2010-2013 Red Wing playing in 91 games, has served as bench coach for the Dodgers since 2023, while Aaron Bates, who played in 134 games between 2011 and 2012, has served as the hitting coach since 2023. They both play vital roles on the staff of one of baseball’s most consistent contenders and defending 2024 World Series Champions.
San Diego Padres
Luis Arraez, one of the most consistent hitters in the game today, honed his swing during his 16 games in Rochester back in 2019. Including this iconic Happy Gilmore-style swing.
Victor Rodriguez, who was with Rochester in both 1982 and 1984 appearing in 219 games, now serves as the Padres’ hitting coach, and Nick Punto (4 games in 2005), now on the major league staff, also brings Red Wings experience to San Diego’s October run.
Born in the 585: Although he never wore a Red Wings jersey, Rochester-born right-handed pitcher Michael King will come out of the pen for the Padres this October.
Chicago Cubs
Taylor Rogers (2015 and 2016) and Caleb Thielbar (2012-2015), two left-handed relievers with Rochester roots, Rogers playing 35 games and Thielbar playing 71, are key bullpen pieces.
Michael Soroka, known for his sinker and slider combination, was with Rochester for one game for a rehab assignment during the 2025 season.
Quintin Berry, playing 14 games for the Red Wings in 2017, is now coaching third base for the Cubs.
Fun Fact: Two Rochester-area natives are now shaping the future of the Chicago Cubs from inside the Wrigley Field front office. Jason Kanzler, Director of Player Development and Penfield native, along with Ben Martin, Assistant Director of Player Development and Churchville native, are leading the charge in cultivating the Cubs’ homegrown talent who are now aiming to bring Chicago its second World Series title since 1908.
Philadelphia Phillies
Max Kepler, the German-born slugger who developed into a power-hitting outfielder, first cut his teeth in Rochester during the 2016 season for 31 games.
Bobby Dickerson, Philadelphia’s infield coach, also spent time in a Red Wings uniform from 1991-1993 for a total of 128 games.
Max Kepler
Interestingly enough, three of the most dangerous bats in this year’s postseason all reside in Philadelphia’s lineup…and they once shared a dugout in Washington (pre-Red Wings affiliation). Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, and Kyle Schwarber, all former Nationals, have reunited in red pinstripes and now headline one of the most feared offenses in October. Their collective postseason pedigree and firepower make the Phillies a legitimate World Series threat.
Milwaukee Brewers
Charlie Greene, Milwaukee’s bullpen coach, once called Rochester home in 1998, playing in a total of 77 games. He now directs a staff of relievers trying to pitch the Brewers deep into October.
A Legacy Carried Forward
The MLB postseason once again highlights the significant role Rochester has played in developing both players and staff for the highest level of the game. From pitchers and position players to coaches and executives, former Red Wings are contributing in meaningful ways across multiple organizations.
As Boston strengthens its front office, Seattle showcases depth across the diamond, and San Diego emphasizes offensive consistency, Rochester’s influence is evident. The Red Wings’ long-standing tradition of preparing talent for Major League Baseball remains firmly embedded in the story of the 2025 postseason.
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