Ramblings and Rumblings, Volume 3 in 2042: UMEBA All-Star Voting - The Starters

[johnd2442]

UMEBA All-Star Voting: Starting PitchersRamblings and Rumblings, Issue 3, 2042 Season

An exciting time is upon the UMEBA as the midsummer classic is starting to come onto the horizon and that always sends a jolt to players, fans and organizations alike. After all, for players, this is why they play - to be recognized as one of the best on the field. And for fans, it is a chance to see the brightest stars shine all in one spot. And organizations naturally get a sense of pride, much like the players, in having one of their own chosen. Granted, it is a popularity contest as much as it is an exhibition of talent, but the UMEBA has not been shy in stating that they will do their best to promote this game. The league wants this to be a showcase for their league, a relatively new league with just a six year history, but even more importantly, recently recognized as a major league and not a bush league.

I’d like to focus on some of the standouts. However, while I tried to do the entire ballot in one sweep, I was finding that this was too intimidating of an assignment for this humble reporter. That said, I’d like to focus right now only on the starting pitchers that are currently on the UMEBA All-Star ballot.

BURT LEAGUE

Distinct Possibilities

Starting Pitcher	W-L	ERA	IP	WHIP	K/9	WAR
Mei-shan Ngui, Baghdad	6-1	2.10	64.1	1.04	5.6	1.9
Fraser Pond, Cairo	6-1	3.30	73.2	0.95	7.7	2.0
Marcos Sanchez, Kuwait City	4-3	3.30	46.1	1.27	7.6	1.2
Francis Wiles, Istanbul	6-2	3.08	73.0	0.99	6.4	1.8
Jose Zamora, Baghdad	5-3	3.15	80.0	1.00	6.2	1.3

This was when I thought I was going to make an article for all positions focusing on who I thought were the best possibilities as UMEBA All-Stars. Ngui is head and shoulders ahead of any other Burt League starting pitcher, and he really should be the one to start the game. His record and UMEBA leading ERA cannot be compared with other pitchers and his innings pitched, WHIP and WAR is comparable to anyone else. Sure, his K/9 rate is not high, but I’d take Ngui on any staff. Ngui is helping to keep Baghdad in the race for the Burt League title.


Baghdad's Mei-shan Ngui has helped to keep the Kings within striking distance of the Burt League lead.

Pond is a bright young star who is coming into his own as one of the best rookies in the Burt and maybe one of the best pitchers too. He has already been named the Burt League Pitcher of the Month and Rookie of the Month. Not much more needs to be said there. An all-star nod in a rookie year is a rare thing, but it looks like it could and should be reality with Pond.

Sanchez is having a wonderful season for last place Kuwait City. His innings pitched is a smaller amount than anyone else on this list, but his output deserves commendation for the team he’s had to pitch for. His WHIP is a bit high, but he does strike batters out and that kind of entertainment is worth something in an all-star game.

Want to know why Istanbul is in first place in the Burt? Look no further than ace Francis Wiles. He is a horse on the mound with those 73 innings thrown, but he also just has that meager 0.99 WHIP. Istanbul may not be in first place right now without Wiles and being the best pitcher on the best team in the league may help him get an all-star nod.

Zamora is another reason to explain Baghdad’s nice start this season. Along with Istanbul’s Brendon Carr, Zamora has the most innings pitched (80) of any starter on the ballot. That doesn’t tell all of the story though. Sure, being a reliable starter every fifth day is worth a lot, but when Zamora toes the rubber, he is also a steady standout. He doesn’t allow many on base, and induces a lot of batted outs, not wasting time with strikeouts. Efficiency is the name of his game, and while that doesn’t stand out, it may with UMEBA GM’s who are voting.


More remote possibilities, but having a decent year

Starting Pitcher	W-L	ERA	IP	WHIP	K/9	WAR
Brendon Carr, Istanbul	8-4	4.13	80.2	0.95	7.5	2.0
Roberto Gomez, Cairo	4-3	4.18	66.2	1.29	5.3	1.0
Johan Trojka, Manama	4-2	4.32	66.2	1.36	7.8	1.7

These pitchers may not make the all-star game, as only three starters can be voted in, but they deserve mention just the same for having nice seasons at the midpoint of 2042. Carr has thrown the most innings on the ballot at 80.2 and has turned in a wonderful season. He’s the UMEBA leader in wins with eight as well. He has the lowest WHIP of any starting pitcher on the ballot and he also has the highest WAR. That may count for something with voters.

Gomez is the all time UMEBA leader in wins. Will sentimentality tug at the hearts of UMEBA voters? I’m not sure about that, but regardless, Gomez is having a nice season as the solid #2 starter behind Fraser Pond in the Cairo rotation. Everything about him is solid and nothing is spectacular so in the end, that may turn out to be the thing that keeps him off of the all-star roster, but Cairo will be happy to have him for the second half.

Trojka is much like Gomez but without the career UMEBA accolades. Trojka sends a lot of hitters packing with a third strike and is part of a talented Manama staff and has helped keep them within striking distance of the Burt League lead. His ERA is a touch high as is his WHIP, but even if he doesn’t garner many all-star votes, he’ll be one to watch for the second half of the season.


BANCROFT LEAGUE

Distinct Possibilities

Starting Pitcher	W-L	ERA	IP	WHIP	K/9	WAR
Pepe Castillo, Mumbai	4-5	2.49	65.0	1.18	6.6	2.0
Mateus Rabisca, Bucharest	5-3	3.09	78.2	0.94	8.4	2.6
Henning Veenman, Beirut	4-0	3.62	64.2	1.24	8.4	1.2
Jose Villarreal, Jerusalem	6-4	3.88	65.0	1.29	9.3	1.9

The Bancroft does not boast the pitching that the Burt does. But there are still some standouts in this league. Let’s look at a few.

Castillo, a Bancroft League All-Star last year is having a 2042 season that merits another all-star nod. He just keeps pitching well for the last place Metro Stars. He hasn’t been spectacular. He’s only been Mumbai’s savior. No, Mumbai has not had the season they envisioned coming into this season, but at just six games out, Castillo has been the lynchpin and has kept the team in striking distance of the Bancroft League lead. Without him, the team could be much further back.

Three time Bancroft All-Star Rabisca could be the popular choice because winning is all he does for first place Bucharest. With his miniscule WHIP (0.94) and big time strikeout totals, it would not be a surprise to see him on the mound to start the UMEBA All-Star game.

Veenman has quickly shown the new Beirut general manager that he’s the ace of the staff and with his performance this season, he’s given Cedars fans a lot to cheer for. Sure, he has not been dominant with his 3.62 ERA or 1.24 WHIP, but he has been valuable for Beirut.

Oh look, there’s another hitter Jose Villarreal just struck out for Jerusalem. Second in the league with a 9.3 K/9 rate, a hitter better be ready to swing the bat when getting in the box against Villarreal. His ERA isn’t outstanding at 3.88, but the 23 year old looks like a mainstay on a UMEBA all-star ballot in the future. He had a nice rookie season last year, and this year he has advanced. So regardless if he is an all-star for the Hebrew Hammers this year, they’ve got a promising young hurler for the future.


More remote possibilities, but having a decent year

Starting Pitcher	W-L	ERA	IP	WHIP	K/9	WAR
Tony Caraballo, Beirut	5-4	3.80	73.1	1.39	6.1	1.0
Matt Hansen, Bucharest	4-3	4.22	70.1	1.38	6.8	1.3
Maxim Makin, Athens	3-1	4.00	54.0	1.26	7.0	1.4

Like in the Burt League, these pitchers are turning in fine years, but have holes in their production. Whether it be their WHIP’s, low K/9 rates or relatively high ERA’s, that may not make them all-stars, but it makes them very good pitchers deserving to be recognized and of a mention on a UMEBA All-Star ballot and a credit to their UMEBA squads.

Next I will cover the relief pitchers on the UMEBA All-Star ballot.

[Clayman]

Actually just posted an article with Rabisca mentioned in it, we knocked him out of the game in the 3rd and Bucharest knocked out second best pitcher out (Gibson) in the 2nd.

[johnd2442]

Actually just posted an article with Rabisca mentioned in it, we knocked him out of the game in the 3rd and Bucharest knocked out second best pitcher out (Gibson) in the 2nd.

That's a big deal, Rabisca is having a hell of a year!

[tallywood]

well-written! I agree that Trojka deserves a mention, but probably not a vote.

[johnd2442]

well-written! I agree that Trojka deserves a mention, but probably not a vote.

Thank you! I'm hoping I'll stay motivated to do the other positions too. I fear if I'd done it with this article, you would have been scrolling forever!

[jleddy]

Nice write-up!

[Clayman]

I think this article got Makin into the All Star game, I had 5 players selected 4 of which I felt deserved it but Makin? Really? I dont think I voted for him, hes dropped of a cliff, so much so he was sent to the bullpen. Maybe he was selected on name alone like they do in the MLB.

[johnd2442]

Yeah, I noticed a few surprising choices. Makin does have a good name! Cairo's closer Ramon Garza was a weird choice to make the All-Star team what with his 3.97 ERA. But maybe his 16 saves helped. Too bad he's out for the season!

[Dington]

Unsurprisingly, KC produced zero ASG pitchers.

[Clayman]

What makes it worse is, in his last few starts Makin had given up 9 runs against Jerusalem and 10 runs against Mumbai, he was actually injured as well going into the ASG.

[johnd2442]

What makes it worse is, in his last few starts Makin had given up 9 runs against Jerusalem and 10 runs against Mumbai, he was actually injured as well going into the ASG.

It is kind of funny that he pitched an inning in the All-Star game whereas the guy who tied for the most votes for starting pitcher in the Burt, Mei-shan Ngui, didn't pitch at all! And he's probably the best starting pitcher in the Burt!