61.047– How Long Before We See Worboys?

[RonCo]

Off Topic

2059 First Rounder Marching Through Minors

May 23, 2061: Forever Land – When right-handed pitcher Paul Worboys was drafted as the Bikini Krill’s first round selection in 2059, the reactions were mixed. Despite being picked 6tgh overall, he was the fourth pitcher selected, a group that included the scintillating Jose Torres, who was taken by the Robins and who is now having a moment as he debuts. The others are Brent Chappel, who after being traded from Yellow Springs is currently at the A-ball level in the Nashville organization, and John O’Leary, who is pitching with Portland now and having some success.

There were other pitchers in the mix, too.

Bikini #3 Prospect
Behind Amberman
and Morris

But we’re going to focus on Worboys now because this is a Krill rag, and that’s who we care about. In his annual analysis of the first round, Jacksonville GM and all-around BBA savant Aaron Weiner had this to say:

6. SP Paul Worboys (Bikini): Worboys is not a common name, and the most famous Worboys I’ll let you Google yourself – this is a family show. The runaway IFC Pitcher of the Year, this Australian righty appears to have average stuff for a major leaguer, but makes up for it by superior control and above-average movement. He needs to work on his command, but he is well developed for 18 years old and could come on quickly. Poor stamina a negative and he doesn’t throw hard, so we’ll see how well he translates.

Which was probably fair, but not exactly glowing.

That said, the guy they call “Hit Squad,” it seems, has brought a lunchpail to work every day, it seems, and after making his debut at A-ball Lake City, made his way steadily through the organization, posting solid numbers everywhere he went.

Year	Age	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	HA	ER	HR	BB	K	BABIP	FIP	WAR	ERA+
2059 - A	19	12	5	1	2.54	67.1	59	19	4	10	43	0.272	3.29	1.5	155
2060 - AA	20	29	11	11	3.22	181.2	173	65	16	33	127	0.281	3.6	3.5	127
2061 - AAA	21	10	2	5	2.98	60.1	61	20	3	11	50	0.317	3.13	1.9	155

Along the way, Worboys added 3 MPH (92 > 95 MPH, which he’s done while still keeping the ball on the ground more often than not) and a bit of physical stamina. He’s maybe no Torres, but it’s enough that—with the team looking like they intend to be a little racy this year—some people inside the organization are beginning to talk about trading a pitcher or two to make room for him on the big league roster.

That would be a year prior to general expectation of the team, but sometimes things work out, you know? And to be fair, mast baseball folks are clear that his skillset still has a way to go before it’s filled out. There are advantages to keeping him down, and as long as the team is winning without him, there are forces at play in the arena of service time that matter, too. But the club has been bringing players to bear to focus on winning now, and with the GM’s bold statement that they will take the Pacific division in 2061, most fans figure pride might be on the line, too.

“I’m happy they are happy,” Worboys, who comes from Newcastle in Australia, said. “Of course I want to pitch in Bikini. It’s the big leagues, after all. And I think the new manager there is cool as hell, you know? And it’s every guy’s dream to play under a manager like that.”

So, yes, the question remains: when will we see Paul Worboys on the Atoll?