 | Coffee Time | |
| by Carl Coffee |
Before the season started, I put together pre-season Top 10 pitchers and hitters rankings. It is always fun to go back and see how I did, but usually it just proves how pointless pre-season rankings are. For this list, I decided to only use regular season stats to make things fair. In an upcoming week or two, I will also rank the Top 10 hitters. Great job to all the players who made this list!
10. Chandler Phillips – Belgian Wiffles
Chandler was a part of the three-headed monster of solid young pitchers for the Belgian Wiffles this season, joining Castle and Skinner. Chandler ranked near the top in strike outs with 131, but struggled to get in the win column. He managed to only win two games for Belgian and also had control problems at times. His 51 walks and 1.22 WHIP hurt, but his 0.67 ERA and 13 hits allowed give you reason to believe that he could be a future All-Star.
9. Brandon Corbett – Flying Squirrels
Corbett became the Squirrels #2 pitcher this season after losing Merlo, and he excelled in that role. He was a workhorse for them, throwing 64 innings this season. Corbett is a contact pitcher who excels at hitting the corners and making batters take off-balanced swings. He went 7-4, with a 0.94 ERA and had a 1.06 WHIP. Corbett also struck out a very respectable 93 batters. After a rough 2011 on the mound, Corbett has solidified himself once again as a Top 10 pitcher.
8. Dennis Pearson – Thunder Ducks
Oh, how the mighty have fallen! Dennis had an incredible 2011 season, but failed to carry it over to 2012. Sure he made the All-Star team as a pitcher in the weak Garcia division, but it sure did not feel like he had an All-Star season. Dennis still has powerful stuff, and showed that with 128 strike outs and a 6-3 record. However, the former Clown Shu finished the season leading the league in walks with 61, had a very average 1.12 ERA, and a terrible WHIP of 1.57. Dennis did his best when people doubted him, and struggled after he was praised. Maybe this doubt will again motivate him in 2013? We will have to wait and see.
7. Adam Cosby – Mattseals
Adam Cosby had a very solid season, but I don’t think many people even know that. Cosby seemed to fly under the radar for the Seals, but after everything was said and done, his stats rank right up there with the other elite pitchers in the league. In 55.2 innings pitched, Cosby only allowed seven runs all season giving him a 0.63 ERA. He also had great control on the mound giving up only 22 walks. His WHIP of 0.90 was better than both Hatt and Bortmas of the Punchouts, so why was he so overlooked this season? Maybe his mediocre 4-2 record is one of the reasons, or maybe it is because he pitched in the Ringler Division which is loaded with pitching talent. I don’t think Cosby will be overlooked for much longer, and this prized free agent will be a giant pickup for whichever team he lands on in 2013.
6. Craig Skinner – Belgian Wiffles
Skinner came out of nowhere for the Belgian Wiffles, and dominated in the limited playing time he had. Skinner only pitched 33 innings, but sure made the most in those innings. He only allowed four hits, had 81 strike outs, and finished with a 5-2 record. If Skinner had more innings on the mound, I believe he would have been in the Clown Shu discussion. His 0.45 ERA and 0.61 WHIP, rank among the best in the league. Much like Cosby however, he was overlooked in the pitching dominant Ringler Division.
5. Michael Constanti – Flying Squirrels
Constanti was predicted to have a good season, being #3 in the pre-season rankings. He did not disappoint, and did an extremely nice job as the Squirrels ace. In 45 innings pitched, Constanti only gave up five runs earning him a 0.56 ERA en route to a very impressive 7-2 record. His biggest win came at Manchester when he beat Bortmas head to head in a 1-0 victory. Much like Corbett, Constanti hits the corners of the strike zone, and can win a game even without relying on the strike out. He still finished the season with 79 K’s, and was named the Garcia Division All-Star starting pitcher.
4. Evan Bischoff – Whiteford Wicked Aces
Evan Bischoff has the misfortune of sharing the last name with his older brother, Austin. It wasn’t until the season ended and all the stats came in when people saw that ‘Little E’ finished the season without giving up a single run. Also, the Wicked Aces have a deep pitching staff, so even when Austin wasn’t pitching, Evan still had to compete with other teammates like Crozier and Hughes to get on the mound. In 33 innings pitched, Evan only allowed six hits and 14 walks giving him a 0.61 WHIP. His 4-0 record and 70 strike outs are nice, but nothing looks better or is more impressive than seeing 0.00 in the ERA column. Maybe next season the league will take notice of the “other” Bischoff.
3. Evan Bortmas – Manchester Punchouts
It is crazy to think after seeing Evan’s stats, that he isn’t the best pitcher on his team. Also, Evan’s offensive greatness is often what you link him with, but he is absolutely no slouch on the mound. All Evan did was throw 50 innings, gave up 13 hits and seven runs, giving him a 0.70 ERA and a 0.94 WHIP. His 10-1 record ties him with Hatt for tops in the league, and his 136 strike outs rank him third. It is safe to say that Evan was the best #2 pitcher in the league this season.
2. Sam Hatt – Manchester Punchouts
No one would have flinched if Sam had won the Clown Shu this season, but in the end he barely lost out. Although Sam had the same record as his teammate Evan going 10-1, his other stats are more impressive. In 55 innings pitched, Sam only allowed three runs giving him a 0.27 ERA. His 138 strike outs rank him second in the league. The only negative thing you could possibly say about his pitching would be the 39 walks he gave up, but he still finished the season with a 0.95 WHIP. Sam’s dominance on the mound earned him a spot on the Ringler Division All-Star team as a pitcher.
1. Austin Bischoff – Whiteford Wicked Aces
If there were Vegas Odds before the season started for who would win the Clown Shu, it is a safe bet Austin would have been the heavy favorite. Austin took the league by storm in 2011 when he joined the Flying Squirrels late in the season and was very dominant. Now with his own team and a whole season under his belt, Austin proved he could handle the pressure of being an elite pitcher. On a team with four solid pitchers, Austin would sometimes skip his spot in the rotation to see his teammates get some work in. He only started in nine games, which makes his stats even more impressive. Austin led the entire league in strike outs with 141, had a microscopic WHIP of 0.68, and what impresses me most about him is his control. In 51.1 innings pitched, Austin only gave up 27 walks. Along with winning the Clown Shu, he was voted in as the All-Star starting pitcher in the tough Ringler Division. We all know what happened to Dennis after he won the Clown Shu, but I do not expect the same to happen to Austin in 2013.
10. Chandler Phillips – Belgian WifflesChandler was a part of the three-headed monster of solid young pitchers for the Belgian Wiffles this season, joining Castle and Skinner. Chandler ranked near the top in strike outs with 131, but struggled to get in the win column. He managed to only win two games for Belgian and also had control problems at times. His 51 walks and 1.22 WHIP hurt, but his 0.67 ERA and 13 hits allowed give you reason to believe that he could be a future All-Star.
9. Brandon Corbett – Flying SquirrelsCorbett became the Squirrels #2 pitcher this season after losing Merlo, and he excelled in that role. He was a workhorse for them, throwing 64 innings this season. Corbett is a contact pitcher who excels at hitting the corners and making batters take off-balanced swings. He went 7-4, with a 0.94 ERA and had a 1.06 WHIP. Corbett also struck out a very respectable 93 batters. After a rough 2011 on the mound, Corbett has solidified himself once again as a Top 10 pitcher.
8. Dennis Pearson – Thunder DucksOh, how the mighty have fallen! Dennis had an incredible 2011 season, but failed to carry it over to 2012. Sure he made the All-Star team as a pitcher in the weak Garcia division, but it sure did not feel like he had an All-Star season. Dennis still has powerful stuff, and showed that with 128 strike outs and a 6-3 record. However, the former Clown Shu finished the season leading the league in walks with 61, had a very average 1.12 ERA, and a terrible WHIP of 1.57. Dennis did his best when people doubted him, and struggled after he was praised. Maybe this doubt will again motivate him in 2013? We will have to wait and see.
7. Adam Cosby – MattsealsAdam Cosby had a very solid season, but I don’t think many people even know that. Cosby seemed to fly under the radar for the Seals, but after everything was said and done, his stats rank right up there with the other elite pitchers in the league. In 55.2 innings pitched, Cosby only allowed seven runs all season giving him a 0.63 ERA. He also had great control on the mound giving up only 22 walks. His WHIP of 0.90 was better than both Hatt and Bortmas of the Punchouts, so why was he so overlooked this season? Maybe his mediocre 4-2 record is one of the reasons, or maybe it is because he pitched in the Ringler Division which is loaded with pitching talent. I don’t think Cosby will be overlooked for much longer, and this prized free agent will be a giant pickup for whichever team he lands on in 2013.
6. Craig Skinner – Belgian WifflesSkinner came out of nowhere for the Belgian Wiffles, and dominated in the limited playing time he had. Skinner only pitched 33 innings, but sure made the most in those innings. He only allowed four hits, had 81 strike outs, and finished with a 5-2 record. If Skinner had more innings on the mound, I believe he would have been in the Clown Shu discussion. His 0.45 ERA and 0.61 WHIP, rank among the best in the league. Much like Cosby however, he was overlooked in the pitching dominant Ringler Division.
5. Michael Constanti – Flying SquirrelsConstanti was predicted to have a good season, being #3 in the pre-season rankings. He did not disappoint, and did an extremely nice job as the Squirrels ace. In 45 innings pitched, Constanti only gave up five runs earning him a 0.56 ERA en route to a very impressive 7-2 record. His biggest win came at Manchester when he beat Bortmas head to head in a 1-0 victory. Much like Corbett, Constanti hits the corners of the strike zone, and can win a game even without relying on the strike out. He still finished the season with 79 K’s, and was named the Garcia Division All-Star starting pitcher.
4. Evan Bischoff – Whiteford Wicked AcesEvan Bischoff has the misfortune of sharing the last name with his older brother, Austin. It wasn’t until the season ended and all the stats came in when people saw that ‘Little E’ finished the season without giving up a single run. Also, the Wicked Aces have a deep pitching staff, so even when Austin wasn’t pitching, Evan still had to compete with other teammates like Crozier and Hughes to get on the mound. In 33 innings pitched, Evan only allowed six hits and 14 walks giving him a 0.61 WHIP. His 4-0 record and 70 strike outs are nice, but nothing looks better or is more impressive than seeing 0.00 in the ERA column. Maybe next season the league will take notice of the “other” Bischoff.
3. Evan Bortmas – Manchester PunchoutsIt is crazy to think after seeing Evan’s stats, that he isn’t the best pitcher on his team. Also, Evan’s offensive greatness is often what you link him with, but he is absolutely no slouch on the mound. All Evan did was throw 50 innings, gave up 13 hits and seven runs, giving him a 0.70 ERA and a 0.94 WHIP. His 10-1 record ties him with Hatt for tops in the league, and his 136 strike outs rank him third. It is safe to say that Evan was the best #2 pitcher in the league this season.
2. Sam Hatt – Manchester PunchoutsNo one would have flinched if Sam had won the Clown Shu this season, but in the end he barely lost out. Although Sam had the same record as his teammate Evan going 10-1, his other stats are more impressive. In 55 innings pitched, Sam only allowed three runs giving him a 0.27 ERA. His 138 strike outs rank him second in the league. The only negative thing you could possibly say about his pitching would be the 39 walks he gave up, but he still finished the season with a 0.95 WHIP. Sam’s dominance on the mound earned him a spot on the Ringler Division All-Star team as a pitcher.
1. Austin Bischoff – Whiteford Wicked AcesIf there were Vegas Odds before the season started for who would win the Clown Shu, it is a safe bet Austin would have been the heavy favorite. Austin took the league by storm in 2011 when he joined the Flying Squirrels late in the season and was very dominant. Now with his own team and a whole season under his belt, Austin proved he could handle the pressure of being an elite pitcher. On a team with four solid pitchers, Austin would sometimes skip his spot in the rotation to see his teammates get some work in. He only started in nine games, which makes his stats even more impressive. Austin led the entire league in strike outs with 141, had a microscopic WHIP of 0.68, and what impresses me most about him is his control. In 51.1 innings pitched, Austin only gave up 27 walks. Along with winning the Clown Shu, he was voted in as the All-Star starting pitcher in the tough Ringler Division. We all know what happened to Dennis after he won the Clown Shu, but I do not expect the same to happen to Austin in 2013.
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