After a promising regular season, the Somerset Patriots were just shy of the postseason, but their playoff hopes slipped away in the final stretch. After finishing the season with an impressive 74-64 record, the Patriots led the Northeast Division of the Double-A Eastern League. Despite the impressive season, it wasn’t enough to carry the team into October baseball.
The Patriots spent most of 2026 at the top of the Eastern League Northeast Division. The team won crucial games throughout the season, keeping them at the center of playoff talk until the very end. Although the playoffs slipped right between their fingers, the team performed all season and gave fans a season worth remembering.
The Patriots were led by several standout players throughout the season, including Coby Morales, Jace Avina, DJ Gladney, Cade Smith, and Xavier Rivas. Offensively, Somerset saw strong contributions across the lineup, with Morales leading the team with 86 runs, followed closely by Avina with 85. Gladney also made a major impact, recording 71 runs while leading the Patriots with 23 home runs.
On the other side of things, Somerset’s pitchers held it down on the mound, playing a key role throughout the season. Cade Smith recorded a 5.27 ERA with 119 strikeouts, while Xavier Rivas posted a 3.65 ERA and 114 strikeouts, providing the Patriots with strength and talent throughout the season.
As the season progressed, several Patriots players saw their hard work pay off with promotions throughout the Yankees organization. Garrett Martin earned a promotion to the New York Yankees in mid-June after dominating at the Double-A level, while George Lombard Jr. made his way to the major league in early August. Tyler Hardman, Kyle Carr, and Xavier Rivas also earned promotions and moved up to Triple-A, where they finished their seasons with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.
The Patriots opened the 2026 season with a night to remember on April 2, setting a franchise record for their highest-scoring game ever. The team dominated the Portland Sea Dogs, putting up 18 runs over eight innings. The Patriots ended Opening Night with a fireworks show, setting the tone for a season filled with excitement and anticipation.
Although the Patriots fell short of the postseason, the 2026 season was filled with incredible games, memorable moments, and tons of excitement. Finishing with 74 wins and at the top of the first in the Northeast Division of the Eastern League is an accomplishment the team should be proud of.
While their journey may have come to an end too soon, the experience and success they’ve gained throughout the season should serve as motivation as they look ahead to next year. The 2026 season may be over, but there is lots to look forward to as the Patriots prepare for 2027.
