In our last entry for the minor league players of the year series, we have Chad Kuhl (New Market 2012), the Triple-A pitcher of the year for 2016!
This is Chad’s third award in this series, by the way. He was the Double-A pitcher of the year in 2015, and the full season A pitcher of the year in 2014. Is it any surprise that he made his major league debut in 2016, and acquitted himself well at the highest level? No, it’s not.
For Triple-A Indianapolis in the International League in ’16, Chad went 6-3, 2.37 in 16 starts and 83 2/3 innings. His WHIP was 1.16, BB/9 was a minuscule 1.7, and his K/9 finished at 7.1. Chad was then called up by the Pirates, and 14 more starts at the major league level.
A 9th round draft pick in 2013, Kuhl has pitched well at every level since signing. Over four minor league seasons at four different levels and 83 starts, Chad has gone 33-17, 2.75, with a 1.15 WHIP, 2.1 BB/9, and 6.1 K/9 covering 445 innings.
Chad is very clearly a success story from the Valley!
Past Winners:
2015- Scott Copeland (Staunton 2007), Buffalo
2014- Adam Liberatore (Waynesboro 2007-08), Durham
Others to Consider:
- Scott Copeland (Staunton 2007), Buffalo- 3-4, 3.04, 1.23 WHIP, 3.0 BB/9, 5.9 K/9 in 50 1/3 IP
- Alex Wimmers (Luray 2008), Rochester- 2-1, 3.62, 1.33 WHIP, 4.4 BB/9, 9.1 K/9 in 49 2/3 IP
- Robby Scott (Covington 2010), Pawtucket- 4-3, 2.54, 0.91 WHIP, 1.6 BB/9, 8.4 K/9 in 78 IP
Next up- major league players of the year!
All Things Valley League 