In 2016, the Las Vegas 51s under-performed and ended the season with 70-74 record, the first time since 2011 that the team ended the season with a sub-.500 record. In 2017, that 70-74 record would have been a major improvement, as the 51s managed only a 56-86 record, the worst in franchise history. The catastrophic season was a black mark on newly promoted manager Pedro Lopez’s record, and him his job after just a single year. Frank Viola and Jack Voight, longtime pitching and hitting coaches, also lost their jobs after the terrible season.
The Las Vegas 51s will open the 2018 season on Thursday, April 5th against the El Paso Chihuahuas, the Triple-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres.