Today in the CBO
News and Notes - Reports from around the Commonwealth
by Nat Wright-Kowalski
23 December 2296 - County Crossing Trades Heagy, McElveen for Abernathy's Eviritts
The County Crossing Bloodbugs and Abernathy Adamantium have put the finishing touches on a deal that was weeks in the making. County Crossing will part with 29-year-old LHP T-Bone Heagy and 19-year-old minor league 2B Shotgun McElveen, while the Adamantium have dealt 21-year-old minor league RHP Gavin Eviritts.
"This one took a while to figure out," said County Crossing general manager Mike Pieface with Sugar Bombs crumbs painted around his lips. "We must have gone back to the drawing board five or six times over the past few weeks. I'm glad we finally got the deal done. I think it is a good one for both clubs."
In 12 games in 2296, Heagy pitched 15.2 innings for a 4.02 ERA and a 0-1 record. He walked eight and struck out 20. Heagy was the Bloodbugs’ 9th-round pick in the Inaugural Draft.
McElveen was drafted in the 27th round of the Inaugural Draft but never saw action in 2296.
Eviritts was undrafted in the 2296 Inaugural Draft. He later signed with Abernathy and remained with the organization all season.
While this trade may seem uneven, Eviritts is thought to be an overlooked prospect who looks like he could develop into a future starter in the CBO.
“I don’t think there is any secret that people will look at this trade like we got cheated by a better team,” Pieface said. “However, we hope we saw in Eviritts what we think we saw, a guy who can pitch and be successful.”
24 December 2296 – Atom Cats Pitcher Seeks Versatility
Atom Cats 2296 reserve pitcher Jerky DeWitt may not break onto the CBO team with his current pitching abilities. That is why DeWitt has been working with hitting coach Happenin Travelman. DeWitt was working on an approcah to the plate that would help him to hit for a combination of average and extra bases.
“I’m 28 right now,” DeWitt said. “If neither the Gunners nor Cats could find work for me as a pitcher, then I need to find work for myself.”
DeWitt mentioned that the extra work with the bat has loosened his arm. He feels he has more power to his fastball, but his arm may be best suited for the BMU. Cabot House Rayguns pitching coach Gary Peguero said that DeWitt is probably his team’s ace, but he will give up a lot of runs.
“He’s got good speed on his fastballs,” Peguero said, “but they just don’t move much. Unless he is making people miss or finds a way to edge them in on the corner, then he will probably lead the CMU in home runs. He needs a lot of work. A lot.”
Peguero said in one model that DeWitt would give up on average two home runs a game. “One is a lot. Two is a loss.”
Cats pitching coach Slick Lick Thompson is not one who has his pitching preferences, but he has voiced his concerns with limiting home runs. Cats ace Matt “Ace in the Hole” Hope had an ERA of 7.05, but his home runs allowed per nine innings was a respectable 1.3. Third starter Wyatt Wallace is already on the chopping block due to his 2.1 home runs allowed per nine innings. Reliever Sam Teflon, who earned three starts in 2296, may take over as the third starter.
DeWitt was traded to the Cats from the Quincy Gunners on April 30 in a Jerky for Jerky trade. The Cats sent outfielder Jessie Jerky to the Gunners in the trade.
25 December – Christmas Decorations Galore
It's a tradition few understand but many do anyway, the day of lights and decorations. It is Christmas in the Commonwealth. May you be merry and free from the deathclaw fairy and the scary white-bearded man.