Trail Droppings 2041-1 Can Bragg Come Back?

[indiansfan]

Can Bragg Come Back?

Mike Bragg's Cinderella story has turned into a nightmare as he recovers from his second rotator cuff injury in as many seasons. Drafted in the 17th round of the 2035 draft, Bragg’s chances of a big league career looked remote as a 7/3/5 prospect. Four season later he was one of the top rookie hurlers in the league and pitching in the Landis. Then came back to back injuries that have put his future in jeopardy.

Bragg’s journey began as the 524th player chosen in the 2035 draft and he showed his critics wrong by going 5-4. 1.38 ERA, .71 WHIP in Rookie ball. He was selected to the All Star team and his ratings bumped to 8/4/5. In 2036 he showed potential at A ball and bumped to a 9/6/7 potential. He entered 2037 as the 76th best prospect in the BBA.

Bragg skipped AA and went straight to AAA in 2037, he struggled with the adjustment and also with back issues. The team sent him to Winter ball and he put up a 5-0 record with a 2.81 ERA. That earned him a bump to the 40th top prospect in the BBA for 2038 with 8/6/7 potential.

With AAA St. Paul. Bragg had his breakout season in 2038, going 14-5, 2.66 ERA. .90 WHIP. He earned another All Star game birth and received the GL Mitch Cain Hurler Award as the best pitcher that year. He finished the season with a September call up to Calgary where he held his own.

His ratings solidified in 2039 at 7/6/6 as the 37th top prospect in the league. While not spectacular, his 4 outstanding pitches to go with the ratings is what got everyone’s attention. Making 33 starts for Calgary he went 13-11, 4.25 ERA and capped it off with a 1-1, 1.86 ERA, .62 WHIP performance from the bullpen in the postseason. He was on fire striking out 16 in 9.2 IP. Bragg had solidified his spot in one of the top rotations in the league.

Through the first 15 starts of 2040 Bragg was living up to his billing. While only winning 5 games, he had a 1.09 WHIP and was averaging a strikeout an inning. Then disaster struck when a torn rotator cuff ended his season. The team was not too concerned as many pitchers suffer injuries early in their career and come back just as strong. Plus the injury wasn’t as serious as first suspected and it was expected that he would be able to start throwing in 4 months.

The team was optimistic going into Spring Training and had a strict limit on Bragg’s pitch count. In his first 3 games he was kept under 30 pitches and didn’t give up a run. In his fourth start on March 18th against Jacksonville, he gave up 1 hit in a scoreless 1st inning and struck out the side in the 2nd. He struck out the first battle in the 3rd then motioned to the dugout and was pulled out of the game. Bragg grimaced in pain as he left the field and the worst was confirmed. He had torn his rotator cuff again, this time requiring surgery and 16 months of recuperation.

This is the kind of injury that ends careers. At 28 is Bragg done? Calgary signed him to a team friendly 2 year extension with hopes that he can come back. The doctors are optimistic 6 months into his rehab, but there are rumors that Bragg is considering retirement. We will found out around the All Star break if this Cinderella story has turned into a pumpkin.

[RonCo]

Interesting signing

[indiansfan]

And he is lumping, movement down to 5.