In one of the more interesting stories of the 2064 Valencia season, 31-year-old reliever Steve Wauchope has put together a bizarre season thus far in the Stars’ Bullpen in his first season at the BBA level.
The southpaw currently is holding a record of 12-1 winning his last 9 decisions while making 46 relief appearances. Considering that Valencia’s record is 53-60 overall, Wauchope’s win/loss numberings are just that much more staggering.
Looking beyond the numbers don’t really shed much light on this. Steve has an overall rating of 50 with a 6/4/5 set of Stuff/Movement/Control ratings. Signed out of the GBC level by Valencia prior to the 2059 season, the sidearm hurler spent four-plus years in AAA waiting for his chance. While not off the charts from a scout’s perspective, he did manage to earn 96 saves over that span.
Wauchope finally got his break in 2064 in the form of the Valencia rebuild and he has not let it go to waste. Along with his 12-1 record, Steve has recorded68 strikeouts in 69.1 innings of work. The ERA of 4.93 and WHIP of 1.41 won’t have owners lining up to sign him away from Valencia, it seems that he often finds himself in the right place at the right time when the young Valencia bats come to life in the late innings.
Wauchope has pitched scoreless relief in seven out of his last nine outings. With reliever Alphonse Lease being the next in line for Valencia wins this season at 6, there is little doubt that Wauchope will be the wins leader in Valencia this season.
The only question remaining is that can this streak continue, or have we already seen what there is to see of the Wauchope magic?
