Friday, June 29, 2012

Rotation of the Future Looks Studly

Eureka is really, really struggling this year.  This was expected, since the focus early was youth, pitching, character, youth, fielding, hitting.  However, there are some young bucks who should load up a quality rotation in the very near future.  The prospects:

4-5 Star Potential:
1. Royce Butterfield (age: 21).  After seven AAA starts during which he was lights-out (3-1, 1.41 ERA), Royce was called up the the big leagues.  He has had some ups and downs, and currently stands at 3-4 with a 6.70 ERA.  However, he did show his potential on July 3rd when he pitched a six-hit shutout.

2. Jake Nelson (age: 18).  After 18 A starts and a 9-5 record with a 2.21 ERA, he was promoted to AA.  He has struggled some there, which is to be expected at this point in his career, going 3-1 with a 4.79 ERA.

3. Anthony "Pongo" Atkinson (age: 18).  He has spent the season in A ball, going 11-5 with a 2.71 ERA.

4. Dave Blake (age: 17).  He has spent the season in A ball also, going 8-9 with a 4.57 ERA.

3 Star Potential:

5. Jeff "Havoc" Olsen (age: 22).  He has struggled in AAA ball, with a 5-4 record and 5.12 ERA, but he is still very much in Eureka's plans.

The plan is to have all of them, with the possible exception of Olsen, move up a level next season.  In 2-3 years, the major league team should have a solid rotation.



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