We have reached the end of the minor league record book series, ending with the best ERAs in one season.

2006-2019
1 Brad Mills Harrisonburg ’05 2008 1.95
2 Thad Ward Staunton ’16 2019 2.14
3 Elih Villanueva Luray ’07 2010 2.26
4 Mike O’Reilly Woodstock ’14 2017 2.34
5 Rowdy Hardy Staunton ’04 2007 2.48
Chad Kuhl New Market ’12 2015 2.48
7 Tyler Thornburg Winchester ’08 2011 2.57
8 Michael Bowman Staunton ’06 2009 2.60
9 Harrison Cooney Front Royal ’12 2014 2.65
10 Austin Gomber Luray ’12 2015 2.67
11 Cole McCurry New Market ’05 2009 2.71
12 Taylor Hill Winchester ’08 2014 2.81

Look at Thad Ward- not only joining the list, but joining it all the way up at #2!

Brad Mills, in his second pro season for the Blue Jays in 2008, went 13-5, 1.95, with a 1.167 WHIP, 3.2 BB/9, and 9.7 K/9 in a total of 147 1/3 innings. He made his major league debut in 2009.

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 Thad Ward Staunton ’16 2019 2.14
6 Elih Villanueva Luray ’07 2010 2.26
7 Jonathan Hurst Front Royal ’86 1991 2.27
8 Mike O’Reilly Woodstock ’14 2017 2.34
9 Greg Hibbard Staunton 1987 2.36
10 Doug Harris Harrisonburg ’90 1991 2.39
11 Sammy Stewart Staunton ’74 1976 2.42
12 Mike Christopher Winchester ’84 1987 2.44
13 Rick Honeycutt Charlottesville ’73 1977 2.47
14 Rowdy Hardy Staunton ’04 2007 2.48
Chad Kuhl New Market ’12 2015 2.48
16 Mike Burns Winchester ’00 2002 2.49
17 Dan Smith Staunton 1992 2.52
18 Zach Dixon Harrisonburg ’02 2004 2.53
19 Tyler Thornburg Winchester ’08 2011 2.57
20 Michael Bowman Staunton ’06 2009 2.60

Ralph Citarella, pitching mostly in relief for Gastonia of the South Atlantic League in 1980, went 11-4, 1.64, with a 1.079 WHIP, 3.5 BB/9, and 8.1 K/9 in 126 innings pitched. He went on to appear in 21 major league games in his career.

 

Brad Mills