June 1, 2061
by Banjo Jackson
Nashville, TN
Eric Stevens isn’t fooling around this season. After bring robbed of the award in April with a perfect 3-0 record, 1.72 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 41 K’s, the electric right-hander secured the Frick league Pitcher of the Month award for May with an even more impressive stat line. Stevens went 5-0 in 6 GS while sporting a 1.49 ERA, 0.64 WHIP, and 46 K’s.
“He could win the pitching triple crown this year,” said GM Chad Nason. “Eric’s been great since he’s been here, but has gotta be his best performance yet. Even better than ’59.”
RHP Eric Stevens
Stevens was on track to win his first Nebraska in 2059, but was injured at the end of August and missed the rest of the season, delivering a huge blow to the Bluebirds title hopes. He was 16-2 with a 2.84 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, and 9.7 K/9. Will he top that this season? He’s making a strong case, but he’s been a bigger impact that the stats suggest.
“I’ve seen Eric pitch several times on TV, but pitching alongside him is something different” said Armando Ortíz. “He’s just one of those guys whose brains you can pick apart. He is always quick to offer advice to the younger guys like me and I think that has had such a huge impact on myself as a pitcher.”
Ortiz is having himself quite the year, as well. Perhaps Stevens has taught him a trick or two as the rookie RHP is 8-2 with a 2.84 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and 48 K’s. Hopefully Stevens can also catapult newly acquire LHP Jim Ploughman to the next level, as well. Even if Stevens can’t match or exceed 2059’s stat line, the Bluebirds biggest hope is he stays healthy this time for another postseason run.
