Slugger Shavings 2057.3 - State of the Rotation
Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2024 9:20 pm
The season has been over for a while for the Sluggers, currently sitting 35.5 games back in the Heartland. Overall the starting pitching has been a disappointment, and a big reason for the team's struggles. In fairness, wonderkids Ford Prefect, the #19 BBA prospect, and Don Starr, the #34 BBA prospect, have missed the entirety of what would have been their rookie seasons due to injury, with Starr getting hurt after pitching well in his first six games last season, and Prefect only pitching 3 innings in his first major league start.
These highly touted prospects are likely going to be difference-makers if they can come back strong next year. Also missing significant time due to injury was Callum Martin, once a highly valued prospect who performed admirably in his first two seasons. Martin was just able to return for his first starts of the season last week, putting up a slightly worrying 20.25 ERA. For those keeping score, that is three starting pitchers that Louisville was counting on, lost to injury for the most or the entirety of the season.
A bright spot has been the performance of two other rookies, Bryan Ellender, the #80 BBA prospect, and Darrel Burns, the #20 BBA prospect. They have helped keep the starting rotation from completely falling apart (a rotation that has started four rookies all season). Another rookie, Roberto Rodriguez, the #99 BBA prospect, has stepped in unexpectedly as the #5 starter and had some difficulties, but should eventually hit his stride.
While Louisville dealt with the drama surrounding its pitching prospects, its relative graybeard Greg Shaw has turned in a stellar performance going 10-8 with a 3.05 ERA so far. Shaw was recently rewarded with a hefty 5 year/68M contract extension, with next year seeing him make a cool 19M.
Barring injuries, the Sluggers do have reason to be excited for 2058 when it will hope to have the following starting rotation:
1) Greg Shaw
2) Callum Martin
3) Darrel Burns
4) Don Starr
5) Ford Prefect
These highly touted prospects are likely going to be difference-makers if they can come back strong next year. Also missing significant time due to injury was Callum Martin, once a highly valued prospect who performed admirably in his first two seasons. Martin was just able to return for his first starts of the season last week, putting up a slightly worrying 20.25 ERA. For those keeping score, that is three starting pitchers that Louisville was counting on, lost to injury for the most or the entirety of the season.
A bright spot has been the performance of two other rookies, Bryan Ellender, the #80 BBA prospect, and Darrel Burns, the #20 BBA prospect. They have helped keep the starting rotation from completely falling apart (a rotation that has started four rookies all season). Another rookie, Roberto Rodriguez, the #99 BBA prospect, has stepped in unexpectedly as the #5 starter and had some difficulties, but should eventually hit his stride.
While Louisville dealt with the drama surrounding its pitching prospects, its relative graybeard Greg Shaw has turned in a stellar performance going 10-8 with a 3.05 ERA so far. Shaw was recently rewarded with a hefty 5 year/68M contract extension, with next year seeing him make a cool 19M.
Barring injuries, the Sluggers do have reason to be excited for 2058 when it will hope to have the following starting rotation:
1) Greg Shaw
2) Callum Martin
3) Darrel Burns
4) Don Starr
5) Ford Prefect