On Sunday, I left you with a couple of questions. Who are in your top five candidates in for Big Ten Player of the Year and Pitcher of the Year? So, I suppose I should take a few moments to offer my own response.
My top five for Player of the Year are Michigan's Nate Recknagel and Zach Putnam, Ohio State's J.B. Shuck, Indiana's Josh Phegley and Northwestern's Jake Goebbert.
Putnam and Shuck would both be in my top five candidates for Pitcher of the Year, as well. I've also got Michigan's Chris Fetter, Michigan State's Chris Cullen and Indiana's Matt Bashore.
For those of you who object to my list of candidates, take heart. I don't actually get to vote on these awards. Although, that's clearly just an oversight from the conference office. Or not.
Also, rest assured, I've got a long list of deserving names right on the heels of my five selections. However, my request was for only five names and I'm sticking to my own arbitrary parameters.
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6 comments:
Do those 2 having a lower ERA hold more than Shuck beating them in the other 2 categories you listed?
ERA
Cullen 2.30
Fetter 2.64
Shuck 3.12
OBA
Shuck .200
Fetter .206
Cullen .219
K's
Shuck 47
Fetter 41
Cullen 25
And just to add on JB's resume for Player of the Year... batting .381 with 11 SB's
And as to my picks from earlier I had a mental mistake, meant Bashmore not Bischoff, and Black not White from Purude.
I agree with JB having a bit of an issue with walks, however I think it is more impressive and important to him to keep a low BAA with more runners on base for him than with Fetter. JB having 6? pickoffs, with 3 coming Sunday does not hurt him on the mound either. What does is the lack of offense, Bucks get 2 hits Sunday as JB pitched a gem.
I'm not taking issue at all, just having a good conversation. All are worthy, and the only "real" issue, and its nothing too bad is I like Putnam is fresher, or can put more into pitching as he is a DH the rest of the time, unlike Shuck who goes from CF to the mound. 3 games on Friday and Sunday in CF, then pitching Sunday is pretty impressive. This year we have not let him hit on days he has pitched hoping it keeps him more rested and better on the mound, however taking him out of the line-up kinda hurts.
My lists were presented in no particular order.
I'm the chairman of the Drew O'Neil Fan Club. He would be number six on my list, if I chose to extend it. I suspect he will be in the top five before the season closes.
He's unfairly hurt, even by me, by PSU's tough start and lack of opportunity to pile up save numbers.
Wanamaker has the same problem. In the top ten in ERA, Opponents BA, IP and K's, but doesn't have the wins to show for it.
I like Nohelty and Black, too. Both are on the verge of my top five, as well.
I'm not sure I can add anything to the debate. Both sides have made compelling cases for their selections. Thankfully, we have several more weeks to sort this out.
I thank everyone for taking the time to comment on the subject and for displaying courtesy throughout. I'm sure we will revisit this matter again in about a month, if not sooner.
I agree with all the comments above. As a Buckeye fan,watching JB Shuck for 3 yrs. i don't think there are many better 2-way players in the conference.He is so fun to watch in OF,batters box and on the hill. He always play's hard and smart baseball.
What about your top 5 Freshmen this year?
my short list...
Ryan Meade DH Ohio St. .315 18 RBI
Tyler Burgoon RP Michigan 15ip 17K 5 SV
Jerrud Sabourin 1B Indiana .336 24 Rbi
Brandon Wikoff SS Ill .404 31 RBi
Kurtis Muller OF Iowa .313 26 RBi
Does not have to be freshman,just wanted to know what you guys think of some new kids in the Conference.
Don't know much about McMurray,has nice numbers.
Acther is a stud,but walks seem to hurt him a lot.I watched him in HS.He will be a leader for MSU in the years to come on the hill.
Forget about Shultz at IU.Started out great last year at IU,before his injury.
There are a lot of JC kids having great yrs too.Just wanted some other ideas on the new guys in the league.
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