Hey! We’re down to the Sweet Sixteen! So let’s see what’s on tap today:

  • Tristen Bayless defeated Corey Sessions in the second round, 90.6% to 9.4% (32 votes) (he had a bye in the first round). His writeup: “Tristen Bayless is the Valley League’s reigning Pitcher of the Year, as he easily won the award in 2019. Pitching for the Woodstock River Bandits, Bayless went 3-2, 1.92, with a 1.162 WHIP, 5.8 BB/9, and 13.8 K/9 in 32 2/3 innings pitched. He also struck out 12 in a seven-inning start in the playoffs. The most dominating outing, though? Facing the best from the Florida Collegiate League, Bayless struck out all six batters he faced in the Prospect Showcase in North Carolina. Bayless has been a bit of a nomad in his college career. He spent 2017 at Texas A&M, where he only saw action in two games. He moved to McLennan Community College in 2018, and showed strikeout potential. He transferred to Houston for 2019, and spent that season working as a lefty specialist (a “loogy,” shorthand for “left-handed-one-out-guy”). In 2020, he appeared in eight games, covering 12 innings. And, of course, he struck out 24 batters.”
  • Brock Hunter beat Eli Ellington in the first round, 64% to 36% (50 votes), and Steven Ridings in the second, 63.5% to 36.5% (52 votes). His writeup: “Brock Hunter came to Strasburg after his junior season at Coastal Carolina, where he had gone 4-0, 2.27 in 27 games… interestingly all in relief. He pitched in eight games that summer- seven of them starts. He went 2-1, 2.18, with only 11 walks and 47 strikeouts in 41 1/3 innings pitched. He was ATVL’s 3rd best starter. Unfortunately, he underwent surgery in September of ’15, and did not pitch that spring at Carolina. He transferred to George Mason for 2017, where he went 1-4, 5.63 in 46 1/3 innings pitched, along with a 1.73 WHIP, 3.3 BB/9, and 6.8 K/9. He did not continue on to pro ball after his college career.”

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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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  • Bayless
    Bayless
  • Hunter
    Hunter