2056-3 Calgary's Rookie Hurlers Shine

[indiansfan]

Calgary’s Rookie Hurlers Shine

Calgary has been building a stockyard full of pitching prospects for several years and several of these pitchers made their debut this year in pivotal roles. Nearly half of the team’s starts were by rookies and two of them have earned votes for the Gillstrom Rookie Award.

Leading the pack was Daniel Thornton. While he made 5 starts last September, he started 23 games for the Pioneers this season and went 8-8, 4.12 ERA. He was 2nd among JL rookie pitchers with 3.1 WAR and his 106 strikeouts was good enough for 3rd. The team was very happy with him giving up only 7 HR in those 23 starts. Thornton should be a lock for a spot in the rotation next season.

Nalany Ahotaein is the type of player that GM Kevin Dickson normally trades because he can’t spell their name. Fortunately he kept him around although nobody would have faulted him is he hadn’t. Ahotaein was a 14th round pick in the GBC in 2048, cut one year later and signed to a minor league deal by Des Moines. Calgary acquired him in 2051 in a trade for David Godwin. He became a top prospect in the 2053 season and pushed his way to Calgary this year.

In 28 starts, and 5 relief appearances, Ahotaein posted a 10-7 record with a 3.46 ERA. Those 10 wins tied for the lead among JL rookie hurlers and his 143 IP were the 2nd most. The team was particularly happy with his 1.25 WHIP, especially for a rookie.

Rounding out the pack was Ghi-Cheng Yu who had the misfortune to lose the tiebreaking game. Yu went 8-5, 4.84 ERA in 33 games, including 18 starts. Yu had 10 quality starts, something missing with Thornton and Ahotaein’s limited stamina. Signed as a minor league in 2047, Yu has been on the Top 100 Prospects list since 2051. Next season will be an interesting one for Yu as his future as a starter is uncertain and he may end up in the bullpen.

[trmmilwwi]

Thornton had a great season. Ahotaein had a heck of a year and looks like he can improve a bit ratings wise yet, but that man a "U"!