And finally, the matchup that RCBL Man of the Year George Laase has been waiting for- it’s Aaron Cressley (New Market 2013) vs Wil Hartsell (Charlottesville 2016)!

  • From Pittsburgh-Bradford, Aaron Cressley rode into New Market in the summer of 2013. All he did that summer was go 4-0, 0.63, with a 1.140 WHIP, 3.6 BB/9, and 7.7 K/9 in 43 innings. Interestingly, he gave up only three runs- all earned- all summer. After the next college season, Cressley was picked in the 26th round of the draft by the San Diego Padres. He spent a total of three years in the minor leagues, finishing his career after the 2016 season with career numbers of 4-3, 3.47, with a 1.40 WHIP, 4.2 BB/9, and 6.9 K/9 in 109 innings.
  • Wil Hartsell came to Charlottesville in 2016, after his redshirt sophomore season at Charleston Southern. He showed excellent control, finishing his summer with a line of 2-3, 2.90, with a 0.943 WHIP, 1.3 BB/9, and 8.9 K/9 in 40 1/3 innings. (He walked six batters all summer.) ATVL named him the 4th best starter. Hartsell finished his college career at CS in 2018, but was not drafted or signed. He finished with career numbers of 9-6, 4.29, 1.25 WHIP, 2.4 BB/9, and 9.6 K/9 in 122 1/3 innings.

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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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  • Hartsell