Norfolk's Buck Britton on playoff berth and Jordan Westburg's big season

When the Triple-A Norfolk Tides won 8-3 at Nashville on Wednesday night, they became first-half champions of the 20-team International League. The first half ends this Sunday and by already winning it, Norfolk clinched its first playoff spot since 2015.

There was no big on-field celebration for a few good reasons. For one, not wanting a host of top prospects to dogpile or jump on top of each other when a clubhouse celebration was already planned.

It was a job well done by the Tides - from the season’s first day through the clincher.

“I think first and foremost, dogpiling at this point in the season, I would hate for someone to get hurt at the bottom of one of those piles,” manager Buck Britton told me in a phone interview yesterday. “And also, I don’t think the guys were interested in dogpiling. They knew we would have a celebration in the clubhouse. So, I was glad it turned out the way it did. All I need is someone getting hurt on the bottom. Not a call I would want to make.”

But a celebration was had, and Norfolk’s players and staff could enjoy a job well done.

“It’s great. At this level, there are a lot of people coming and going," Britton said. "We’ve been fortunate we’ve had some or our guys all year which put us in this spot. Who knows what we will look like 75 games from now, but you will remember these moments, they are not easy to come by. We’ve had a tremendous first half.

“Getting these guys to perform to their capabilities and stay grounded and not looking too far ahead at what could happen in the big leagues, where is my opportunity, it's not easy. So (we need to) try to enjoy every second we can with the group that we have here.”

He added there is still work to do.

“A lot of these guys have played together, but I don’t think we’ve won any championships yet. So, I think these guys coming together and staying present in Norfolk and not trying to play GM or let their performance slip if they are not getting an opportunity at the major league level. They’ve done a really nice job of the work they have put in every day, being consistent and playing hard. Man, there are some days we beat teams because we are willing to take the extra 90 (feet on bases) and we are willing to do the little things to win. We have a bunch of young guys that are hungry, and they want to be ready to go when that day comes.

"I’m not sure if people understand how special it is that our guys pull for each other so hard. They genuinely care about each other’s success. Even when they are in similar spots as far as positions. You have guys like (Jordan) Westburg, (Joey) Ortiz and (Connor) Norby that are fighting for the same job up top, and they genuinely care that each other has success. That is a special quality that we have here. Our major league team is winning up top and it’s our responsibility to create an environment here that resembles that and pushes guys in the way of winning."

Westburg is having a special season for the Tides. And he is now ranked as the No. 41 prospect in MLB by Baseball America and No. 47 via MLBPipeline.com.

This season he is batting .290 with a .934 OPS, 17 homers and 52 RBIs in 63 games through Wednesday night. In his two seasons with Norfolk, he has now played 154 games batting .280/.364/.532/.896 with 40 doubles, five triples, 35 homers, 119 runs and 126 RBIs.

It is easy to see why many in Birdland wonder when his call will come? But Britton paints a picture of a player seemingly relentless to keep pushing and keep getting better.

“Just a testament to the makeup of this kid,” Britton said. “He is super consistent. He pretty much has the same routine every day that he comes to the ballpark, he has a purpose for everything that he does. I think in the end - I know he is putting up these gaudy numbers - this will be something that makes him an even better big leaguer. He is going to appreciate the opportunity when it does come. He is on pace to go 40-40 here, after the year he had last year. Really proud of what Westburg has done on a daily basis.

“We’ve hit him in the middle of the lineup, just to give him a different look into how he is being pitched. Try to get more guys in scoring position for pitchers to attack him differently. He has responded with nothing but big numbers."

Westburg is clearly aware others have gotten to Baltimore ahead of him.

“I talk to the major league staff often and his name comes up all the time. Just remind him it’s not gotten lost in what he is doing. They are watching and very pleased about what he is doing. Now it’s about opportunity and keep doing what you are doing so when the time comes you are ready to go win up there.”

Britton said Westburg has been solid around the infield on defense and now is working in some outfield play too.

“He adapts well to new things and his short time in the outfield, he’s getting better each time we put him out there. Versatility is huge," he said. 

This Tides tweet here shows some of their postgame celebration from Wednesday. And click here for some outstanding Westburg defense from last night.