Sunday, November 3, 2069
BEST ROOKS IN 2069 ANNOUNCED BY IPA
The pitchers got the best of the hitters this season in the Islandian Pro Alliance... at least in the voting for the best newcomers debuting into the league... the top rookies this year were both hurlers... the 2069 Ruthlandian Union Rookie of the Year was Valmara's Jaromir Kaminski... the victor in the Tycobbian Union Rookie of the Year poll was Bayview twirler Odin Carlson.
Kaminski is a 22-year-old southpaw... in his freshman year with the Vipers he was 16-13 in 38 starts with an impressive 2.70 ERA... Kaminski tossed 5 shutouts, completed 10 games, fanned 230 batters in 276 innings and allowed only 71 bases on balls... Valmara (82-72) came in a strong fourth in the Ruthlandian North, winding up 7 games back of pennant-winning Taranto.
Kaminski's teammate, Herm Rynsburger, finished number two in the best-rookie balloting... the 24-year-old Rynsburger stood out in right field and at first base for the Vipers... he batted .284 in 137 games with 152 hits, 26 doubles, 5 triples, 27 home runs, 82 RBIs, 89 runs and stole 8 bases.
In third place for the RU Rookie Award was Belair Beach's second sacker Evan Murdoch... at age 19 he stood out with a .324 BA in 125 games with 149 hits, 21 doubles, 6 triples, 8 roundtrippers, 59 RBIs, 91 runs and 13 stolen bases... Murdoch also chalked up a fine .442 OPB, walking 97 times... he was instrumental in the Sunbirds (82-72) soaring from last place to third place in the RU South race.
The top newcomer in the Tycobbian Union was a 21-year-old righty, Odin Carlson... the Bayview rookie phenom started 40 games and fired 304 innings, chalking up a 21-14 mark with 162 Ks, 87 walks, while posting a first-rate 2.57 ERA... Carlson made 30 quality starts, had 6 shutouts and 18 complete games... because of this terrific season Carlson was honored as the 2069 Tycobbian Union Rookie of the Year... he helped the Vikings (82-72) wind up fourth in the TU West standings, 15 games behind IPA champion Rolling Hills.
Turon's fine first-year hurler, Ivan Malek, was the runner-up to Carlson in the top rookie race... Malek also won 20 games with 8 losses, made 34 starts, tossing 246 innings with 171 strikeouts and 42 walks... the 22-year-old right-hander hurled 3 shutouts, completed 10 games and made 24 quality starts... Malek was a big reason the Typhoons almost won the TU South Division... Turon (92-62) lost out by just 3 games to the strong Southport Sun Sox.
Rookie batters seem to have it tougher than rookie pitchers overall in the IPA... the best of the new bats in the Tycobbian Union was Summerland first baseman Neal Crichton... he drove in 90 runs in 129 games, hit .296 with 140 base hits, 17 two-baggers, 10 triples, 19 homers, scored 92 times and stole 12 bases, while playing rock-solid defense... however, the Sunsets (75-79) wound up a distant fourth in the TU South, 20 games off the pace of champion Southport.
