Our #3 starter in the 2015 season, Brock Hunter, from Strasburg, is also the only starter who is making a repeat appearance, as he was the #9 starter on the 2014 list. He’s moving up!
Brock was good in 2014, but he was even better in 2015. Overall, he went 2-1, 2.18, with 32 hits, 11 walks, and 47 strikeouts in 41 1/3 innings pitched. He had a 1.041 WHIP, 2.4 BB/9, and 10.2 K/9. His best start was at Charlottesville on July 7th, when he threw 7 innings and allowed only 3 hits, 1 earned run, didn’t walk a batter, and struck out 8.
In 2014, also pitching for Strasburg, Brock went 3-3, 2.36, with 47 strikeouts in 42 innings (notice a similarity?), along with a 1.238 WHIP, 3.2 BB/9, and 10.1 K/9.
Brock has completed three years at Coastal Carolina. He threw only 10 innings as a freshman in 2013, and then went 0-1, 4.07 in 24 1/3 innings as a sophomore, appearing in 22 games, all out of the bullpen. As a junior, he went 4-0, 2.27, with 31 strikeouts in 35 2/3 innings. He threw in 27 games, all but one out of the bullpen.
Unfortunately, Brock underwent surgery in September, and is not listed on Coastal Carolina’s fall roster. He did not answer an attempt to find out when he might return. Hopefully it will be soon!
All Things Valley League 
John,
I’ve been following your countdown of starting pitchers from the 2015 Valley League season. It seems like you have an interesting battle for the #1 spot. I guess it comes down to your discretion of your viewing of being a starting pitcher exclusively. McCutcheon (as starter) – 38 2/3 IP, 1.75 ERA, 49 K, 11.41 K/9, 3.03 BB/9, 28 hits, 1 quality start
Ridings (as starter) – 45 2/3 IP, 2.17 ERA, 60 K, 11.82, 1.38 BB/9, 46 hits, 6 quality starts
How do you weigh each category in this case?
Logan, thanks for your comment. These lists are not always easy, like the battle for the #1 spot on the current starting pitcher’s list. Both pitchers had a fantastic season; I’m hoping they both feel honored no matter which place they end up in.
I first figure out if the player should be on my reliever’s list or starter’s list. From there I look at their stats in aggregate. I focus on the stats you included- ERA, WHIP, BB/9, K/9, and strikeouts. Sometimes a specific stat will be so good that the player gets moved up a couple spots (Sasse’s and Sessions’s BB/9, maybe?), or a stat will be less impressive (related to his peers), so the player gets moved down. It’s rather unscientific, I must say.
The bottom line, again, is that I’m trying to celebrate some really, really good pitchers from 2015.
Thanks again for your comment!
John