Today, we’ll continue the series of top Valley League alumni in pro ball with the top pitcher in Double-A, which was actually a bit difficult to choose.

But first, the list of previous winners:

2019- Tyler Zombro (Staunton 2014)
2018- Reed Garrett (New Market 2013)
2017- Austin Gomber (Luray 2012)
2016- Ryan Yarbrough (Luray 2012)
2015- Chad Kuhl (New Market 2012)
2014- Drew Rucinski (Luray 2008-10)
2013- Stephen Kohlscheen (Harrisonburg 2010)
2012- Tyler Thornburg (Winchester 2008)
2011- Mike Ballard (Staunton 2004)
2010- Elih Villanueva (Luray 2007)

Quite an interesting list, eh? Villanueva, Thornburg, Rucinski, Kuhl, Yarbrough, Gomber, and Garrett have all pitched in the major leagues, making it seven out of ten. Zombro, assuming that he returns to the mound after his scary injury last season, still might make it in Tampa Bay.

Well, the 2021 Double-A Pitcher of the Year, chosen from the blandly named leagues of Double-A South, Central, and Northeast, is former Waynesboro General (2018) Graham Ashcraft, who threw 72 1/3 innings for Chattanooga in Double-A South. Ashcraft went 7-3, 3.36, with a 1.13 WHIP, 3.0 BB/9, and 9.2 K/9 in 14 starts, and is getting some pub as a prospect in Cincinnati’s system. (He was also named as an “Others to Consider” in my High-A post, as he was probably even better at High-A Dayton.) Ashcraft was a 6th round draft pick in 2019, so 2021 was his first full minor league season. He has a bright future!

By the way, Ashcraft went 0-1, 3.72 in 19 1/3 innings for Waynesboro in 2018, with 14 walks and 21 strikeouts.

Others to Consider

  • Kyle Nicolas (Charlottesville 2018): Pensacola: 3-2, 2.52 in eight starts and 39 1/3 innings, 1.22 WHIP, 5.7 BB/9, 11.5 K/9 (Either second or third, if I were to rank everyone.)
  • James Reeves (Staunton 2013): San Antonio: 3-0, 3.27, 1.21 WHIP, 5.9 BB/9, 13.3 K/9 in 41 1/3 innings
  • Frank Rubio (Front Royal 2017): Richmond: 4-3, 3.56 in 43 innings, 1.12 WHIP, 1.5 BB/9, 7.1 K/9
  • JT Hintzen (Woodstock 2016): Biloxi: 5-3, 3.88 in 58 innings, three saves, 1.17 WHIP, 2.8 BB/9, 12.3 K/9
  • Zach Neff (Waynesboro 2016): Wichita: 8-3, 4.78 in 52 2/3 innings, two saves, 1.14 WHIP, 3.2 BB/9, 9.2 K/9 (I ranked Neff as the top reliever in the ’16 VBL season)
  • Andrew Perez (Waynesboro 2017): Birmingham: 2-1, 3.50 in 43 2/3 innings, one save, 1.19 WHIP, 2.5 BB/9, 12.2 K/9
  • Brooks Wilson (Waynesboro 2015): Mississippi: 3-1, 2.45 in 44 innings, five saves, 1.11 WHIP, 3.5 BB/9, 14.9 K/9 (Second or third- those 17 walks and 73 strikeouts are pretty impressive)