2060: April BBA Debuts - Pitchers

[BaseClogger]

The Brewster Baseball Association saw 30 different players record their first career inning pitched during the first month of action in the 2060 season. Note, some of those players may have played significant time in the GBC including when it was considered a major league. For my purpose, I'm only looking at career BBA stats. Below is a list of those players (WAR accumulated thru the sim that took us to 5/3/60) along with a brief description of the players of greatest consequence.

Whereas the hitter list featured a bunch of top prospect corner infielders, this pitcher list is primarily comprised of a bunch of middle-aged GBC products recently signed as free agents to play in the BBA for the first time.

SFB SP Ielemia Faletose

Debut: 6 IP, 2 R, 2 BB, 2 K on 4/1/60 against SAC

This nine year GBC regular for Buenos Aires and then London exposes his difficult to square three-pitch repertoire to BBA hitters for the first time in San Fernando after receiving a fat free agency contract. The new Bears ace averaged 4.1 WAR over his last five seasons in the GBC.


AUS SP Jorge Marín

Debut: 4.2 IP, 2 R, 2 BB, 0 K on 4/6/60 against MEX

29 year-old Marin is the most surprising player featured here but his season to date couldn't be ignored. Marin was a 2051 3rd round draft pick who was released by two different organizations before catching on with Yellow Springs. The Nine lost him in this past offseason's rule 5 draft to the newly minted Austin Shredders. Austin saw enough in Marin's scouting report and career 3.78 ERA in AAA across 826 innings to include him in their Opening Day rotation.


TWC SP António Ramírez

Debut: 7 IP, 1 R, 1 BB, 7 K on 4/5/60 against CHI

The oldest player profiled in this feature, Ramirez joined Twin Cities on a mid-sized contract this past offseason after 11 years in the GBC playing for Cairo and Tokyo. He plus-plus fastball and slider combination piled up the strikeouts and helped him reach the 4 WAR plateau in the 2051 and 2056 campaigns. If Ramirez has a weakness its bouts of wildness that has lead to a bevvy of walks in the BBA. Thankfully his groundball profile severely limits the long ball.


HAW SP Niegloslaw Woywitka

Debut: 7 IP, 3 R, 2 BB, 3 K on 4/5/60 against VAN

Another GBC product, Woywitka was another recipient of a modest free agent contract, this time from Hawaii. Like Faletose and Ramirez, Woywitka relies on a premium three pitch repertoire to limit home runs and found a lot of success for Sydney over a seven year stint peaking with 5.6 WAR in 2058. The Tropics are counting on a bounce back from a disappointing 2059 in which Woywitka was only worth 1.8 WAR and had a 5.63 ERA.


ATC SP Brian Whitford

Debut: 8 IP, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K on 4/6/60 against CHA

At last, Brian Whitford boasts a traditional top BBA prospect profile. The 3rd overall pick in the 2056 draft was #15 in the offseason prospect rankings. Like the others on this list, Whitford only throws three pitches although his arsenal is far less formidable. No, Whitford looks to succeed via a combination of pinpoint control, soft contact, and top end stamina.


SAC SP Michihiro Tanaka

Debut: 5 IP, 1 R, 2 BB, 4 K on 4/5/60 against POR

There are a few aspects of Tanaka's game that distinguish him from the others listed above. Most notably, the starting pitcher gets by with only 4 stamina. He's also working with four pitches instead of three. After a year with Buenos Aires and five with London he signed a $41M contract with Sacramento. His stuff/movement/control ratings are well rounded and induce groundballs. GBC front offices limited him to the bullpen until 2059 and at 27 years old it wouldn't be surprising if his career is actually more productive in the BBA.

[Trebro]

I liked Marin but just felt at his age he was unlikely to crack my rotation. Glad he's getting a shot.

[ae37jr]

Ramirez has been a bit of a disappointment. I thought he was a real good find. But I totally overlooked his control issues. He has to be a really low 5. Moving forward I think I may shift him to the bullpen to be a deadly dual stopper with Luis Gonzalez.

That leaves a gap in the rotation though and he hasn't been terrible. So do I leave well enough alone, swap him with one of my bulk inning relievers like Yamashita, hope and pray Takuda is ready for playoffs and make move then or perhaps swing deal for a starter before deadline. Always fun to have baseball decisions to think about.

[Dington]

Curious to see how Thomas fares. Have him as a sixth starter through some of these long stretches, but will be battling for the 5th spot, regardless.

[trmmilwwi]

Figured LV would have a few on this list. Again, love the feature!

[Bob Breum]

Peter Ramsey was a Rule 5 pick by Erik who has been one of our best starters so far, with six quality starts in seven games and a 2.81 ERA (149 ERA+).