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FuzzyRussianHat · 12-02-2024, 11:56 AM

The Oceania Baseball Association’s 2020 Hall of Fame ballot was devoid of meaningful debuts with the best newcomer at a lousy 7.3%. One returner took advantage of the weaker field with SP Val Moran getting inducted with 71.1% on his third ballot, narrowly breaching the 66% requirement. The only other player above 50% was SP Jarome Guluvao at 55.2% for his second try. No players were dropped after ten failed ballots.

Val Moran – Starting Pitcher – Sydney Snakes – 71.1% Third Ballot

Val Moran was a 6’0’’, 200 pound right-handed pitcher from Hilo, Hawaii; a settlement of 44,000 people. It is the largest settlement in the state outside of the greater Honolulu area. Moran was the second Hawaiian-born inductee into the OBA Hall of Fame, joining class of 1995 1B Trent Atkins. Moran wasn’t incredibly rated, but he reliably had above average to good stuff and movement along with decent control.

Moran’s fastball regularly hit the 97-99 mph range, but it was his slider which proved to be his most effective pitch. He also had a weak curveball as a third option, but the one-two fastball/slider punch was often enough. Moran had very good stamina and durability for most of his career, tossing 250+ innings each year from 1999-2008. He was a great defender and won a Gold Glove in 2007. Moran wasn’t the brightest guy and he wasn’t one to take on a leadership role.

As a teenager in October 1993, Moran moved to Australia on a developmental deal with Sydney. He spent three full years in the Snakes academy before debuting in 1998 at age 22 with 84.1 okay innings. Moran was a full-time starter after that and reliably ate innings. He graded statistically as just above average for much of this tenure, although he was still worth 5+ WAR thrice for Sydney.

The Snakes were the last of the original Australasia League teams to win a pennant. They were firmly mid-tier during Moran’s tenure, averaging 81.1 wins per season. Moran’s breakout for Sydney came in 2005, leading the AL in strikeouts (294), innings (326.2), and complete games (14). He was third in Pitcher of the Year voting, his only time as a finalist. Moran also had 6.4 WAR, his second-highest season behind his 7.0 from 2002.

After that 2005 season, Sydney gave him a seven-year, $24,080,000 extension. However, Moran only played a few more months for the Snakes. At the 2006 trade deadline, he was shipped to Melbourne for three prospects. In total for Sydney, Moran had a 116-126 record, 2401.2 innings, 2127 strikeouts, 608 walks, 81 complete games, 104 ERA+, and 36.4 WAR. He was liked enough by Snakes officials that his #1 uniform was eventually retired.

Melbourne was in the midst of their dynasty run, having won the last three AL pennants and the last two Oceania Championships. The Mets kept rolling, winning another seven pennants for ten straight AL titles. Melbourne won the OBA crown again in 2006 and 2007 for the four-peat. The Mets’ biggest win tally was 114-48 in 2008, although they were upset in the final by Tahiti. Melbourne returned to the OBA throne in both 2009 and 2010.

Moran slotted in well initially for Melbourne, leading the AL in wins with 24 in both 2007 and 2008. 2007 saw his career best ERA at 2.86. Moran was a mixed bag in the postseason with 31.2 innings, a 1-2 record, 3.41 ERA, 21 strikeouts, 7 walks, 117 ERA+, and 0.1 WAR. By 2009, he was used in a split starter/relief role, then was a full-timer out of the bullpen after that. In the inaugural 2010 Baseball Grand Championship, he allowed four runs (three earned) in 4.2 innings.

In 2011, Moran’s season ended in September with radial nerve compression. He was back ready to go by the 2012 spring, but suffered a ruptured UCL in only his second appearance. Melbourne bought out the final year of his contract and instead of rehabbing, Moran opted for retirement just after his 37^th birthday. With the Mets, Moran had a 71-47 record, 3.13 ERA, 996.2 innings, 920 strikeouts, 251 walks, 124 ERA+, and 17.7 WAR.

Moran finished with a 187-173 record, 3.47 ERA, 3398.1 innings, 3047 strikeouts, 859 walks, 256/421 quality starts, 104 complete games, 11 shutouts, 109 ERA+, 94 FIP-, and 54.1 WAR. As of 2037, Moran ranks 46^th in wins, 33^rd in innings, 48^th in strikeouts, and 60^th in WAR among position players. Only one pitcher had gotten into the Hall of Fame with a weaker ERA, but five starters had made it with less WAR.

Either way, Moran was definitely a borderline case. Being a part of Melbourne’s title run gave him some extra recognition despite lacking accolades otherwise. OBA’s voters were generally friendly towards pitching and Moran received 60.4% and 55.2% in his first two ballots. With literally no debuts of note in 2020, Moran took advantage with the slight bump to 71.1%. He may be one of the weaker arms to get the nod, but regardless Moran crossed the 66% requirement for a third ballot induction as OBA’s lone 2020 Hall of Fame selection.

12-02-2024, 11:56 AM	#1848
FuzzyRussianHat Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2020 Posts: 3,347	2020 OBA Hall of Fame The Oceania Baseball Association’s 2020 Hall of Fame ballot was devoid of meaningful debuts with the best newcomer at a lousy 7.3%. One returner took advantage of the weaker field with SP Val Moran getting inducted with 71.1% on his third ballot, narrowly breaching the 66% requirement. The only other player above 50% was SP Jarome Guluvao at 55.2% for his second try. No players were dropped after ten failed ballots. Val Moran – Starting Pitcher – Sydney Snakes – 71.1% Third Ballot Val Moran was a 6’0’’, 200 pound right-handed pitcher from Hilo, Hawaii; a settlement of 44,000 people. It is the largest settlement in the state outside of the greater Honolulu area. Moran was the second Hawaiian-born inductee into the OBA Hall of Fame, joining class of 1995 1B Trent Atkins. Moran wasn’t incredibly rated, but he reliably had above average to good stuff and movement along with decent control. Moran’s fastball regularly hit the 97-99 mph range, but it was his slider which proved to be his most effective pitch. He also had a weak curveball as a third option, but the one-two fastball/slider punch was often enough. Moran had very good stamina and durability for most of his career, tossing 250+ innings each year from 1999-2008. He was a great defender and won a Gold Glove in 2007. Moran wasn’t the brightest guy and he wasn’t one to take on a leadership role. As a teenager in October 1993, Moran moved to Australia on a developmental deal with Sydney. He spent three full years in the Snakes academy before debuting in 1998 at age 22 with 84.1 okay innings. Moran was a full-time starter after that and reliably ate innings. He graded statistically as just above average for much of this tenure, although he was still worth 5+ WAR thrice for Sydney. The Snakes were the last of the original Australasia League teams to win a pennant. They were firmly mid-tier during Moran’s tenure, averaging 81.1 wins per season. Moran’s breakout for Sydney came in 2005, leading the AL in strikeouts (294), innings (326.2), and complete games (14). He was third in Pitcher of the Year voting, his only time as a finalist. Moran also had 6.4 WAR, his second-highest season behind his 7.0 from 2002. After that 2005 season, Sydney gave him a seven-year, $24,080,000 extension. However, Moran only played a few more months for the Snakes. At the 2006 trade deadline, he was shipped to Melbourne for three prospects. In total for Sydney, Moran had a 116-126 record, 2401.2 innings, 2127 strikeouts, 608 walks, 81 complete games, 104 ERA+, and 36.4 WAR. He was liked enough by Snakes officials that his #1 uniform was eventually retired. Melbourne was in the midst of their dynasty run, having won the last three AL pennants and the last two Oceania Championships. The Mets kept rolling, winning another seven pennants for ten straight AL titles. Melbourne won the OBA crown again in 2006 and 2007 for the four-peat. The Mets’ biggest win tally was 114-48 in 2008, although they were upset in the final by Tahiti. Melbourne returned to the OBA throne in both 2009 and 2010. Moran slotted in well initially for Melbourne, leading the AL in wins with 24 in both 2007 and 2008. 2007 saw his career best ERA at 2.86. Moran was a mixed bag in the postseason with 31.2 innings, a 1-2 record, 3.41 ERA, 21 strikeouts, 7 walks, 117 ERA+, and 0.1 WAR. By 2009, he was used in a split starter/relief role, then was a full-timer out of the bullpen after that. In the inaugural 2010 Baseball Grand Championship, he allowed four runs (three earned) in 4.2 innings. In 2011, Moran’s season ended in September with radial nerve compression. He was back ready to go by the 2012 spring, but suffered a ruptured UCL in only his second appearance. Melbourne bought out the final year of his contract and instead of rehabbing, Moran opted for retirement just after his 37^th birthday. With the Mets, Moran had a 71-47 record, 3.13 ERA, 996.2 innings, 920 strikeouts, 251 walks, 124 ERA+, and 17.7 WAR. Moran finished with a 187-173 record, 3.47 ERA, 3398.1 innings, 3047 strikeouts, 859 walks, 256/421 quality starts, 104 complete games, 11 shutouts, 109 ERA+, 94 FIP-, and 54.1 WAR. As of 2037, Moran ranks 46^th in wins, 33^rd in innings, 48^th in strikeouts, and 60^th in WAR among position players. Only one pitcher had gotten into the Hall of Fame with a weaker ERA, but five starters had made it with less WAR. Either way, Moran was definitely a borderline case. Being a part of Melbourne’s title run gave him some extra recognition despite lacking accolades otherwise. OBA’s voters were generally friendly towards pitching and Moran received 60.4% and 55.2% in his first two ballots. With literally no debuts of note in 2020, Moran took advantage with the slight bump to 71.1%. He may be one of the weaker arms to get the nod, but regardless Moran crossed the 66% requirement for a third ballot induction as OBA’s lone 2020 Hall of Fame selection. __________________ Baseball: The World's Game fictional world reports The Level Playing Field: Alternate MLB History From 1884-Onward Continental Baseball Federation world reports (8-tier promotion/relegation sim and college feeder)