Good morning! Ready for another episode of the best relievers in the last ten years battling it out? Great! Here we go:

  • Jacob Ramos was the second best reliever in the Valley League in 2016, when he anchored the Front Royal Cardinals bullpen. In 13 games (all but one in relief) and 27 innings, Ramos went 2-1, 1.00, with a 0.852 WHIP, 2.7 BB/9, and 9.3 K/9 (eight walks, 28 K’s). A 5-foot-9 righthander, Ramos pitched for three seasons for Division-II Shorter University. Overall, he went 11-16, 4.42, with 100 walks and 186 strikeouts in 199 1/3 innings. He did not go on to pitch in pro ball.
  • Christian Dearman pitched for Waynesboro in 2019, during the most recent Valley League season. The 6-foot-1 righthander from Florida International went 2-0, 0.45 in 10 games and 20 innings, with a 1.000 WHIP, 2.7 BB/9, and 7.2 K/9. He also pitched in a game in the playoffs, going 2 2/3 innings without allowing an earned run. He was ATVL’s third best reliever in the league. Dearman spent 2017 and 2018 at Tallahassee Community College, and 2019 and 2020 at Florida International. With his extra year of eligibility, he’s transferred to St. Thomas.

Vote by going to twitter.com/JohnATVL.

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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  • Ramos
  • Dearman- Courtesy of Michael Terndrup