2031.11 - LB Independent - Castillo Crushes Sluggers Again

[Lane]

August 20, 2031
Louisville, KY

If twenty-seven year old lefty Pepe Castillo has a chip on his shoulder, it's easy to understand why. He joined the Surfers organization in 2023, and hit AAA by 2026. He bounced around AA & AAA for a couple years, but eventually settled in as a mainstay of the rotation in Santa Fe. After toiling in the minors for 8 years, he gained some notoriety for his excellent performance in the inaugural World Championship of Baseball, where he represented his native Cuba.

He pitched well in the WCB, two starts, 10.2 innings, 3.38 ERA (133 ERA+). He followed that up with his best performance since fall league 2026, posting a 2.96 ERA (147 ERA+) over 112.1 innings in Santa Fe. With Long Beach starting the 2031 season with no fewer than 6 other SPs ahead of him on the depth chart, you'd understand if Castillo would have phoned it in this year, but he did exactly the opposite.

He got the call in the middle of July, to face the rival Louisville Sluggers, a tall task for someone making their big league debut. It was no problem for Castillo though, he threw 5.1 innings and allowed no runs. He followed that up with 7 innings allowing 1 run at Calgary.

He was never supposed to make the team this year, and even when he came up it was just to give the Sluggers a look at a lefty. That said, GM Stephen Lane is not a complete idiot, and knows a good think when he sees it. Castillo stayed in the rotation, pitching 5 innings and allowing 1 ER to Twin Cities, then 5 innings an 2 ER against JAX.

With his ERA sitting at a cool 1.61, there was no question he'd take his turn against LOU again. This time, in Kentucky, he threw 6 innings, allowing no runs on just 5 hits.

How long can he keep up this pace? How long before the rest of the league recognizes him for being the best pitcher in the BBA?

No one can say, but for now...at least he keeps beating the Sluggers!

[RonCo]

Pepe is my favorite Surfer.

[RonCo]

http://montybrewster.net/MBBA/phpBB3/vi ... 44&t=21326