Today we’re back in business with another matchup!

  • Shane Billings came to Harrisonburg in 2015 from D-II Wingate. He crushed everyone that summer, putting up a .418/.483/.549 slashline in 153 at-bats, with 45 runs scored, six doubles, four triples, two home runs, a 19/13 BB/K ratio, and 21 stolen bases. He was pretty obviously the MVP of the season. After a junior season at Wingate in which he hit an otherworldly .444/.502/.639 with 30 stolen bases, the St. Louis Cardinals picked him in the 13th round of the 2016 June draft. He played in parts of four seasons in the minor leagues, putting up a total of .274/.304/.342 in 1,024 at-bats. Weirdly, he was hitting .370/.393/.630 in 27 at-bats in Double-A Springfield when the Cards cut him loose in 2019.
  • Bradley Picha came to Winchester in 2012, and all he did is hit .370/.441/.657 in 181 at-bats, with 38 runs scored, 14 doubles, a triple, 12 home runs, and 36 RBIs. The first baseman from Texas went back to Lamar for his senior season in 2013 and hit .281/.353/.377 in 231 at-bats, with 13 doubles. He did not play pro ball after his college career ended.

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And by the way, if you want to read a ton about either the 2015 or 2019 VBL season, be sure to check out this post on the 2019 Valley League Annual!

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Billings
Picha