We will now shift our focus to the best minor league seasons turned in by former Valley Leaguers. As I did with the hitters, I’ll choose a specific season to focus on for each category, for both 2006-2019 and All-Time.
We start with wins!
2006-2019 | ||||
1 | Rowdy Hardy | Staunton ’04 | 2007 | 15 |
Levi Maxwell | Waynesboro ’06 | 2008 | 15 | |
Austin Gomber | Luray ’12 | 2015 | 15 | |
4 | Mike Ballard | Staunton ’04 | 2007 | 14 |
Elih Villanueva | Luray ’07 | 2010 | 14 | |
Ben Alsup | Luray ’09, Stan ’10 | 2012 | 14 | |
Brandon Sinnery | Winchester ’09 | 2014 | 14 | |
Logan Boyd | Charles Town ’13 | 2016 | 14 | |
9 | Brad Mills | Harrisonburg ’05 | 2008 | 13 |
Joey Williamson | Luray ’05 | 2009 | 13 | |
Ben Alsup | Luray ’09, Stan ’10 | 2013 | 13 | |
Chad Kuhl | New Market ’12 | 2014 | 13 | |
Ryan Yarbrough | Luray ’12 | 2017 | 13 |
Lenny Franklin Hardy, better known as “Rowdy,” was incredible in High-A Wilmington in 2007. In 167 innings, Hardy went 15-5, 2.48, with a 0.958 WHIP, 0.9 BB/9, and 4.9 K/9. For those scoring at home, that comes out to 16 walks and 91 strikeouts. He moved to Double-A in 2008, but ws unfortunately unable to replicate his success at the lower level. He pitched a bit in Triple-A Gwinnett in 2011, but left pro ball after that year. Hardy is now the pitching coach for Arkansas State, and sends players to the VBL most summers.
All-Time | ||||
1 | Tim Burcham | Staunton | 1987 | 17 |
2 | Greg Hibbard | Staunton | 1987 | 16 |
3 | Walt Terrell | Staunton | 1981 | 15 |
Ralph Citarella | Staunton | 1982 | 15 | |
Jonathan Hurst | Front Royal ’86 | 1991 | 15 | |
Corey Lee | Staunton | 1997 | 15 | |
Rowdy Hardy | Staunton ’04 | 2007 | 15 | |
Levi Maxwell | Waynesboro ’06 | 2008 | 15 | |
Austin Gomber | Luray ’12 | 2015 | 15 | |
10 | Steve Fireovid | Waynesboro ’75 | 1983 | 14 |
Mike Williams | Winchester ’89 | 1991 | 14 | |
Brent Billingsley | New Market ’95 | 1997 | 14 | |
Mike Maroth | Staunton ’96-97 | 1999 | 14 | |
Jason Davis | New Market ’96 | 2001 | 14 | |
Mike Burns | Winchester ’00 | 2002 | 14 | |
Ray Liotta | Waynesboro ’02 | 2005 | 14 | |
Mike Ballard | Staunton ’04 | 2007 | 14 | |
Elih Villanueva | Luray ’07 | 2010 | 14 | |
Ben Alsup | Luray ’09, Stan ’10 | 2012 | 14 | |
Brandon Sinnery | Winchester ’09 | 2014 | 14 | |
Logan Boyd | Charles Town ’13 | 2016 | 14 |
Tim Burcham went 17-6, 3.11 in 1987 for Palm Springs in the California League, along with a 1.457 WHIP, 4.2 BB/9, and 6.2 K/9. He pitched at the Triple-A level for five seasons, but did not get a callup to the Show.