Who was the best pitcher in either the Short-Season Northwest or New York-Penn Leagues?

But first, previous winners:

2018- Gabe Mosser (Waynesboro 2017)
2017- Nick Margevicius (Staunton 2015)
2016- Jordan DeLorenzo (Front Royal 2013)
2015- Brody Greer (Rockbridge 2012)
2014- Ryan Yarbrough (Luray 2012)
2013- Jake Johansen (Front Royal 2011)
2012- Brian Holmes (Harrisonburg 2010)
2011- Ben Alsup (Luray 2009, Staunton 2010)
2010- Scott Copeland (Staunton 2007)

Three of these winners have already pitched in the major leagues- Copeland, Yarbrough, and Margevicius.

The 2019 winner is former Front Royal Cardinal Blake Whitney, who was pitching for Eugene in the Northwest League. Pitching exclusively in relief, Whitney appeared in 18 games and completed 53 2/3 innings. Overall, he went 4-0, 3.18, with one save, a 1.15 WHIP, 3.0 BB/9, and 10.4 K/9 (from 62 K’s in those 53 innings).

Others to Consider

  • Zach Mort (Front Royal 2016), for Eugene in the Northwest League: 3-3, 3.72, 1.15 WHIP, 2.0 BB/9, 7.8 K/9 in 46 innings.
  • Tom Sutera (Purcellville 2017), for Williamsport in the New York-Penn League: 1-3, 1.90, 0.4 BB/9, 11.4 K/9 in 23 2/3 innings (Sutera was the VBL Pitcher of the Year in 2017)
  • Connor Gillispie (Charlottesville 2017), for Aberdeen in the New York-Penn League: 0-0, 1.77, four saves, 0.89 WHIP, 2.2 BB/9, 9.3 K/9 in 20 1/3 innings.

Remember, if you want to read much more about Blake Whitney and the 2019 Valley League season, purchase your copy of the 2019 Valley League Annual here!