The Morning Glory 2054.02 - Wullenweber Worth It?

[GoldenOne]

By now, most everyone has been able to form an opinion on the blockbuster trade between Rocky Mountain and Charlotte focused on P Alaric Wullenweber and P Jamie Barber.

Regardless of anyone's opinion, its how the players perform on the field that is ultimately most important. So, has Wullenweber performed well enough to make the deal "worth it" to the Oysters? Let's take a look.

So far, Wullenweber has been with the Rocky Mountain Oysters for just over a month, long enough to have made 6 starts. In those 6 starts, Alaric has gone 4-2. Seems worth it so far. records dont mean much these days, especially when you are pitching for the highest scoring offensive team in the BBA. In those 6 games, Alaric has pitched a total of 33.2 innings. Maybe not a good sign when he has consistently averaged more than 7 innings per game in his career. But, its only 6 games. His ERA of 5.61 is alarming however, considering his career worst is a 4.50 ERA over his 13+ year career.

Alaric's WHIP of 1.22 and BABIP of .314 are a little elevated as well, considering his career averages, but Smash Burger Field does play slightly larger than most parks. Perhaps the most perplexing stats are his Ks and BBs. Since his time in Rocky Mountain, Wullenweber has struck out 31 batters (in those 33.2 innings) while only walking 3 batters.

Is this the beginning of the great decline for Wullenweber? Did the Oysters get too excited over the opportunity to acquire such a great pitcher that the Front Office was blind to a potential decline in his abilities? What about the rumors that the Oysters Front Office is trying to extend Wullenweber, is that a smart move at this point? So far there are mixed emotions around Colorado Springs but within the Oysters clubhouse, there is still plenty of excitement for what Wullenweber has done in the past and what they are anticipating him to do in the future as this team barrels towards a playoff spot for the second year (and second time) in the franchise's history. Stay tuned!

PS - One key consideration in all of this is Rocky Mountain's chase of the current BBA Champions, the Mexico City Aztecs. As the Aztecs continue to roll and lead the BBA in wins again in 2054, it almost certainly looks like any team wanting to claim the title of BBA Champs this season, will have to beat the Aztecs. Wullenweber has had one shot against the Aztecs in his time with the Oysters. He managed to get the win after pitching 8.0 innings of 2-run ball, while scattering 6 hits, striking out 8, and walking none.

[trmmilwwi]

A long term rivalry between these two teams perhaps?

[BaseClogger]

K/BB is by far the most meaningful data point in such a small sample and he's killing it.

[GoldenOne]

He had one game where he gave up 7 ERs in 1.1 innings. I'm not overly worried, right now.

The part that scares me is his 254 IP last season and he was on pace for over 230 with Charlotte (averaging over 120 pitches per start) again this season before I got him.

[BaseClogger]

Well Barber has a 6.67 ERA in AAA.

[neugey]

Alaric's just been a little unlucky with the longball lately. I'm sure he'll be fine for this season and the next. It's not like you have him signed until he's 40.

[GoldenOne]

Alaric's just been a little unlucky with the longball lately. I'm sure he'll be fine for this season and the next. It's not like you have him signed until he's 40.

Not yet.

[GoldenOne]

Well Barber has a 6.67 ERA in AAA.

Okay?

He's probably mad about being in AAA. He had a 1.80 ERA as a RP for me in 15 games.

[BaseClogger]

Well Barber has a 6.67 ERA in AAA.

Okay?

He's probably mad about being in AAA. He had a 1.80 ERA as a RP for me in 15 games.

Not sure why the "Okay?" seems like relevant to this thread.

[GoldenOne]

Well Barber has a 6.67 ERA in AAA.

Okay?

He's probably mad about being in AAA. He had a 1.80 ERA as a RP for me in 15 games.

Not sure why the "Okay?" seems like relevant to this thread.

Whole thread was about the acquisition of Wullenweber and has nothing to do with who we gave up for him.

I feel like I gave up a lot, maybe a little more than needed, you disagree. We got it.

[BaseClogger]

Okay?

He's probably mad about being in AAA. He had a 1.80 ERA as a RP for me in 15 games.

Not sure why the "Okay?" seems like relevant to this thread.

Whole thread was about the acquisition of Wullenweber and has nothing to do with who we gave up for him.

I feel like I gave up a lot, maybe a little more than needed, you disagree. We got it.

I mean the first two sentences of OP beg to differ but I’ve clearly gotten under your skin on this subject for whatever reason. I got it.

[aaronweiner]

Wullenweber just signed for four years and $44 million.

Worth it for sure.