Here is the last installment of the minor league recod book: best ERAs in one season in the minor leagues!

2006-2018
1 Brad Mills Harrisonburg ’05 2008 1.95
2 Elih Villanueva Luray ’07 2010 2.26
3 Mike O’Reilly Woodstock ’14 2017 2.34
4 Rowdy Hardy Staunton ’04 2007 2.48
Chad Kuhl New Market ’12 2015 2.48
6 Tyler Thornburg Winchester ’08 2011 2.57
7 Michael Bowman Staunton ’06 2009 2.60
8 Harrison Cooney Front Royal ’12 2014 2.65
9 Austin Gomber Luray ’12 2015 2.67
10 Cole McCurry New Market ’05 2009 2.71
11 Taylor Hill Winchester ’08 2014 2.81

Brad Mills was excellent over three different levels in 2008; he threw 15 games in Lansing of the Midwest League, and then in 6 each at High-A Dunedin and Double-A New Hampshire. In all three locations combined, Brad went 13-5, 1.95, with a 1.167 WHIP, 3.2 BB/9, and 9.7 K/9 in 147 1/3 innings. He made his major league debut the very next year, but he was never able to break through at that level, as he pitched in only 21 major league games from 2009 to 2015.

All-Time
1 Ralph Citarella Staunton 1980 1.64
2 Jeff Mutis Staunton 1991 1.80
3 Brad Mills Harrisonburg ’05 2008 1.95
4 Ray Liotta Waynesboro ’02 2005 2.02
5 Elih Villanueva Luray ’07 2010 2.26
6 Jonathan Hurst Front Royal ’86 1991 2.27
7 Mike O’Reilly Woodstock ’14 2017 2.34
8 Greg Hibbard Staunton 1987 2.36
9 Doug Harris Harrisonburg ’90 1991 2.39
10 Sammy Stewart Staunton ’74 1976 2.42
11 Mike Christopher Winchester ’84 1987 2.44
12 Rick Honeycutt Charlottesville ’73 1977 2.47
13 Rowdy Hardy Staunton ’04 2007 2.48
Chad Kuhl New Market ’12 2015 2.48
15 Mike Burns Winchester ’00 2002 2.49
16 Dan Smith Staunton 1992 2.52
17 Zach Dixon Harrisonburg ’02 2004 2.53
18 Tyler Thornburg Winchester ’08 2011 2.57
19 Michael Bowman Staunton ’06 2009 2.60
20 BJ Benik Front Royal 2002 2.61
Jason Arnold Staunton 2002 2.61

Ralph Citarella was drafted 12th overall by St. Louis in 1979. In his 2nd pro year, 1980 (Phillies World Champs!), he went 11-4, 1.64, with 8 saves, a 1.079 WHIP, 3.5 BB/9, and 8.1 K/9. He made his major league debut in 1983, and appeared in 21 games at the game’s highest level. Ralph is the pitching coach for St. Joseph High School in New Jersey.

Mills