In the Cards '12 #1: Don Shaw
Donkeys
The Donkeys have three players that tend to find their ways into headlines: Alex Shore, captain Joe Seto, and Matt "man of many nicknames" Murtha. Don Shaw, though, is quietly - so far - making a case that he could be the big story for the Donkeys. All three aforementioned players were expected to be a formidable pitching rotation. Nobody knew that Shaw could pitch, yet after four games pitched this season his numbers are shaping up to be a front of the rotation ace.
Watch Don's first start of 2012 -
a 1-0 win 4/29 against the MattsealsIn 14 IP Don has allowed only two runs - one to the Wicked Aces, and one to the Squirrels - for a 0.71 ERA. There is absolutely no fault in giving up runs to those offenses with what they have put up early this season; in fact, limiting them to one a piece is something to write home about. Don is doing the two most important things a pitcher can do: keeping balls in the park and not allowing runners to cross the plate. He is striking out exactly one batter an inning, with 14 K on the season. That number may not seem dominant, but it is impressive when you set it up alongside Shaw's walk total: 5 BB. A nearly 3:1 K/BB ratio is a consistency you hope to have in a pitcher. Besides, you know his fielders behind him love getting to make two outs an inning! Those are the fun outs!
Don is also one of the original Donkeys, playing with the team since they first came out in 2009. He did not take the mound in that tournament, but he put up decent numbers at the dish. While he may be struggling at the plate to start the season (outside of setting all sorts of foul ball records!), if he can return to this form he will be a better than average offensive performer. Couple that with his pitching output, and Shaw will be a very effective Wiffleball player - one whom you will have to talk about... unless you prefer not to talk about when a pitcher shuts you down. ;)
Watch Don's first start of 2012 -
a 1-0 win 4/29 against the MattsealsIn 14 IP Don has allowed only two runs - one to the Wicked Aces, and one to the Squirrels - for a 0.71 ERA. There is absolutely no fault in giving up runs to those offenses with what they have put up early this season; in fact, limiting them to one a piece is something to write home about. Don is doing the two most important things a pitcher can do: keeping balls in the park and not allowing runners to cross the plate. He is striking out exactly one batter an inning, with 14 K on the season. That number may not seem dominant, but it is impressive when you set it up alongside Shaw's walk total: 5 BB. A nearly 3:1 K/BB ratio is a consistency you hope to have in a pitcher. Besides, you know his fielders behind him love getting to make two outs an inning! Those are the fun outs!
Don is also one of the original Donkeys, playing with the team since they first came out in 2009. He did not take the mound in that tournament, but he put up decent numbers at the dish. While he may be struggling at the plate to start the season (outside of setting all sorts of foul ball records!), if he can return to this form he will be a better than average offensive performer. Couple that with his pitching output, and Shaw will be a very effective Wiffleball player - one whom you will have to talk about... unless you prefer not to talk about when a pitcher shuts you down. ;)
| Player | GP | IP | W | L | R | K | H | BB | ERA | WHIP |
| Don Shaw | 4 | 14.0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 14 | 14 | 5 | 0.71 | 1.36 |
