Of Those Who Remain - Two Stars From Pittsburgh

Few would question the level of impact the SBL Draft had on the minor league - after all, just a week ago we featured several players being drafted away from Sherbrooke. And with many post-draft free agents being swept away into the draft, some minor league teams have had their infields, outfields, and bullpens alike cleaned out. Most teams were hit pretty evenly - and since Pittsburgh was so aggressive with their post-draft FA signings, they've experienced a similar exodus.

But of those who are left, who matters?

The two players I’m choosing to feature from Pittsburgh this season are no strangers to the spotlight. One is right fielder Caleb Marko, Spartan’s GM player and a well-rounded hitter with an emphasis on power – who had a mid-season surge so remarkable that some had him pegged as a possible MVP candidate. The other is breakout star pitcher Captain Hook – an absolute late-round steal who managed to capture the hearts and minds of many voters and fans alike this past season.


Let’s be clear here: Caleb Marko was a veritable star last season. He was top five in OPS with a classy .911 (second only to Kurtis McKenzie), tied for first in runs created/27 outs with teammate Gustav IsRealDaddy at 7.68, and top five in isolated power (.227). He contributed in quite literally every possible way over the course of the season with a tied-for-third 31 home runs and drew ultimate respect from opposing pitchers for his all-seeing eye with 61 bases on balls (and a league-leading 4 intentional walks, too!). In the playoffs, he managed a hit in all but one game against Sherbrooke – which some believe was to allow his opponents a false sense of security – and was an integral part of Pittsburgh’s championship victory.

In terms of WAR, Marko was worth as many wins as now-pro James Boxman and the illustrious Captain Hook (more on him later) at 4.2. As a switch-hitter, he had a comparatively more difficult time against righties, managing “just” a .280 average versus .324 against southpaws; realistically, either mark would put him solidly in the top third of the league. And experts suggest Marko’s really going to feel needed by his team this season – what with defensive superstar Dale Cooper and fastest-man-alive Flynn Fungo both leaving their outfield spots next to Marko vacant by declaring for the draft. Defensively, Marko has never been a front-liner for the Golden Glove – but with a new crop of players coming in it’s safe to say his defense will be adequate and his batting prowess will yet again be a standout in the minors.


On the other hand, let’s consider starter Captain Hook – a pitcher who’s managed a meteoric rise in popularity and shocked the league with his dominance. Indeed, Hook was in a batter-favorable field and still managed a top-five ERA (3.48), tied for the lead in shutouts (3), and was tied for third in league strikeouts (157), and strikeouts per walk (2.9). Generally, most would describe his skillset as solidly balanced – at least for the moment favoring neither strikeouts, groundouts, nor fly-outs but frequently managing to clinch wins. With his partners in crime James Boxman and Austin Schwartz (a surprise starter in their own right!) both headed to the pros, there’s just one clear-cut superstar pitcher for Pittsburgh now. Archie Swift and Patrick Star will come into their own over the course of the season, but they’re also headed to the S1 SBL draft, meaning Hook will become all that more important as a mentor to the draftees.

Love it dude, thanks for the highlight!

Thank you for the write-up