2047.03 - The Long Beach Independent - Post Deadline State of the Franchise-Pitching

[Lane]

SOLID CORE, WITH HELP ON THE WAY

September 1, 2047
Long Beach, CA

The Surfers finished the month of August with seven wins over their final 10 games, putting them at 54-81 on the season. The stretch included two consecutive shutouts against San Fernando, one of the best offenses in the Frick League.

Pitching

The starting staff has been hit and miss this season, with Danya Tchekanov and Del Willis having excellent seasons, and the rest of the staff showing a lot of inconsistency. Tchekanov and Willis will form the backbone of the Surfer rotation, as they are both under team control through 2051. Ernesto Delgado could be part of that core as well, though he will have to come to terms with the team on an extension after next season.

There's help coming from the minor leagues, with Robin Johnson and Sam Rutgers poised to be ready within the next year or year and a half. Johnson was acquired in a trade with Charm City last season, and Rutgers is the Surfers' most recent first round draft pick, a pick that has been praised by prospect writers across the league. Neither is likely to be a superstar, but that's Danya's job anyway.

Relief prospects Jarrod Rodda and Robinson Perez, both acquired via trade, should help form the core of the next great Surfer's bullpen.

The current bullpen has been a disappointment this season, but there have been a few bright spots. Jorge Alfaro has rebounded nicely after a rough April acclimating to his new role, and Luis Manuel Rodriguez has bounced back nicely after a terrible 2046 season. Eric Hughes has spent significant time on the injured list this season, but has been a very fun player to watch when he is on the mound, striking out 23 of 41 (56%) left handed batters faced.

In all, the pitching staff should be a point of strength for the Surfers as they look to return to competitiveness in the next few seasons. This has been a hallmark of the team under the current leadership, and it will likely be the key to future success in the near term.