2044.06 - The Long Beach Independent - Hughes Hangs 10

[Lane]

LEFTY KILLER LIVING UP TO HYPE

June 30, 2044
Long Beach, CA

After what seems like years of "when will he arrive," lefty Eric Hughes has been on the Surfers roster for just over two months this season. The 22-year-old lefty, a former first round draft pick, has the most extreme splits in the game today, and perhaps in the entire history of the BBA.

Against lefties, the OOTP scouts rate him 19/11/4, which, honestly, seems impossible. The best relievers in the game today, Lozano, O'Macken, and Leach, could only dream of a 19 stuff rating, or an 11 movement rating.

Now, to be fair, those greats can more or less dominate against left handed and right handed batters, while Hughes is truly a lefty specialist. With ratings of 4/3/2 against RHB, it's something that should be avoided at all costs. Unfortunately, due to a number of extra inning games this season, Hughes has been pressed into service against righties more often than anyone wants.

Nevertheless, we're here to present you with a striking statistic. Hughes has faced 10 left handed batters this season, and all 10 have struck out. Despite having faced 19 right handed batters in addition to the 10 lefties, his ERA sits at a cool 2.57 and he's earned about 0.3 WAR.

With the aforementioned Lozano, and fellow lefty Luis Manuel Rodriguez, the Surfers pen is extremely unfriendly to lefties. When a lefty batter comes up against a Surfers left-handed reliever, they have struck out 43% of the time this season.

[shoeless.db]

I visualize every lefty coming into the box against Hughes like John Kruk entered the box against Randy Johnson.

[recte44]

I visualize every opposing manager getting their RHB pinch hitters ready when he comes in.

[Lane]

I visualize every opposing manager getting their RHB pinch hitters ready when he comes in.

I never really considered that Thai probably happens a lot. Hopefully my manager saves him for the lefties that are too good to lift for a PH!

[jleddy]

Is a 27.0 K/9 good?

[7teen]

I visualize every opposing manager getting their RHB pinch hitters ready when he comes in.

David Bell (Reds) just got a hard on with that comment. The ability to sub and double switch his way to an L!