Generation QS (3): Carl Vincent

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datom25
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Generation QS (3): Carl Vincent

Post by datom25 » Thu Nov 17, 2022 2:35 pm

The Montreal Blazers outperformed pre-season predictions, leading the Atlantic for long stretches and winning 93 games, 23 more than the previous season. They did that by compiling the league leading starter ERA, and in particular leading all the BBA in quality starts, recording 88 across the campaign. Most notable was the performance of their four young starters, each either in their rookie or second year in the BBA, who were responsible for 66 of them across 117 starts (56%), with a combined record of 54-25. This four part series will introduce each of the 4 members of Generation QS.


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Carl Vincent - 13-2, 3.26 ERA, 2.2 WAR, 10 Quality Starts

In one of the most surprising stories of a surprising season, Montreal’s rookie left-handed starter went within twelve months from being shellacked around A-ball to dominating the BBA.

To anyone simply looking at the record of Carl Vincent’s college career, it would be no exaggeration to say he must rank amongst the worst pitchers to ever have graced the Pabst diamond. Over 32 career starts, Vincent managed to go 3-16, winning one solitary game in each of this three college seasons. The ballooning ERA (over 5 for his college career, and culminating in a 6.56 figure in his senior year) did not tell the whole story though, as his peripherals were solid. BBA scouts saw past the numbers and straight to the potential – decent fastball, killer curve, potential third pitch - and Vincent was projected as a late first rounder.

To quote the draft review of 2048:
26. SP/RP Carl Vincent (Montreal): Lefty starter Vincent was one of the unluckiest pitchers in college last year, as he had a absurd, whopping .406 BABIP. He admittedly was a little prone to the long ball, but did post a nice 3-1 K/BB ratio and his stuff and personality suggest he could be a good pro, or at least a solid lefty reliever. Velocity would probably help him.
Anyone watching the first three years of Vincent’s career at AA Missaugua would be similarly confused. After a decent first few stars in 2048, 2049 and 2050 saw worsening headline stats, including an outwardly catastrophic 2-16 season in that latter campaign. This saw his demotion to A-ball, in what seemed like the end of a once promising career. And if that just seemed like the end, what of a 5.97 ERA at Dearborn Heights, losing 10 games in the process, and struggling with back problems?

But baseball is a strange game.

The scouts hadn’t got less keen on Vincent, they’d got more keen – as the slider developed, as the fastball sped up, as the curve got filthy. He crested to a top #50 prospect ranking while his on-field performance cratered. And following 17ks in 15 innings in Spring, Vincent made the big league club in the 4th starter spot – an amazing turnaround.

And all that is strange enough – but suddenly, Vincent started winning. In his first 14 starts, Vincent went 8-1. He took home two Rookie of the Month awards, struck out 65 in 81 innings, averaged over 6.1 innings a start, and compiled an ERA OF 2.96. He was scintillating, especially in Montreal, and looked on track for all-star and potentially RoY recognition.

Alas, his back problems reoccurred, and he missed over two months including the whole of July. When he returned, he pitched almost as well (although with slightly worse results), going 5-1 over his last eight, but what could have been a season for the ages ended up as just a very, very good one. Vincent finished 13-2 with a 3.26 ERA and still finished fifth in the RoY rankings.

What awaits? The back problems look like being persistent, and the Blazers have enough evidence of historical performance to worry if 2052 was an aberration. But on the mound, Vincent looks imperious – and a proven loser seems to have become a born winner.
Montreal Blazers (2052-): Playoffs 2052, 2054 (2-6)
Sao Paulo Pilots (2051-2): Playoffs 2051 (0-5)

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Trebro
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Re: Generation QS (3): Carl Vincent

Post by Trebro » Sat Nov 19, 2022 4:49 pm

these are phenomenal
Rob McMonigal
Yellow Springs Nine Sep 2052 - ????

London Monarchs Aug 2052 - Sep 2052

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