Patriots First Half Report Card: Pitchers
by Mike Ashmore
July 13, 2006 - Hunterdon County Democrat

The second half of the Atlantic League season kicks off for Somerset tomorrow night with the first of three games at home against Bridgeport. It would be hard to argue the fact that the pitching was what kept the Patriots in the race for the first half title as long as they were, so it's time to grade the Patriots starters and relievers on their performance over the first 63 games of the season.

Starters: Four of the top ten pitchers in the race for the ERA title are Patriots starters, although Jason Shiell's departure will eventually deprive him of the innings he needs to stay in the hunt. For the others; Ben Crockett, Billy Sylvester and Keith Ramsey, their presence at the top of the Patriots rotation has kept Atlantic League batters off-balance all season.

Sylvester was even signed by the Washington Nationals organization, making two appearances for their Double-A team before ultimately returning to Somerset.

At this point, Andy Van Hekken probably regrets turning down the Double-A offer he received earlier in the year, as the Opening Day starter posted a 7.13 ERA over the course of four June starts. The team's other starter, Todd Moser, has allowed more than three runs in just one of his seven starts.

Overall, the Patriots starting rotation remains one of the best of the league, and it's going to have to stay that way to get them back into the playoffs.

Grade: B+

Relievers: At the moment, the Patriots have a season-high eight arms in the bullpen, including three southpaws.

The loss of flame-throwing closer Hector Almonte hasn't affected the team as much as was originally feared, with Mike Johnson filling the role admirably in his absence.

Of the eight relievers on the team, six of them weren't on the team at the start of the season. Saul Solveson was released by the organization out of Spring Training since he couldn't pitch at the time due to injury, former Giants prospect Jeff Urban was signed on May 30th; and Justin Wechsler, Andy Pratt, Tony Mounce and Robert Averette were all signed at various points in June.

Only Johnson and Jason Olson have been with the team for the duration.

The most pleasant surprise out of the bunch is clearly Solveson, with the baby-faced righty posting a 3-0 record with a 2.76 ERA to match in 15 appearances with the club. The 26-year-old joined the team late last year after posting an ERA of nearly seven in the Can-Am league, and has shown that the strong end to his 2005 season was no fluke.

Pratt and Mounce bring big league time to the team, with Pratt having pitched for the Braves and Cubs and Mounce for the Texas Rangers.

If nothing else, Urban brings height, although the 6' 8" left-hander also showed some versatility by making a spot start for the team shortly after being signed.

Both Averette and Wechsler have struggled coming out of the bullpen, with Wechsler in danger of being the odd man out after allowing nearly a run per inning in his first eight appearances.

All in all, the Patriots relievers who've walked through the revolving door of the bullpen have done a pretty solid job. Three lefties in the pen gives manager Sparky Lyle some options, and three big leaguers also gives him some veteran leadership.

Grade: C+

Patriots Notes: The 8,062 fans who attended the July 3rd game at Commerce Bank Ballpark set a new Atlantic League single game attendance record, breaking the old record of 8,048 -- also held by Somerset...Despite having the 4th lowest ERA in the league, Ramsey was inexplicably left off the All-Star team. Crockett, Johnson, Fernando Lunar, Larry Barnes, Jeff Nettles, Ryan Radmanovich made the team for last night's midsummer classic. Lunar was hitting just .183 at the time of his selection.

Around the Atlantic League: Two-time American League MVP and current Long Island Ducks outfielder Juan Gonzalez gave this paper the only interview he did while in Somerset, answering about 20 questions ranging from steroids to beating Ken Griffey, Jr. in a playoff to win the 1993 Home Run Derby.

"It was a great moment," Gonzalez said. "It never passed through my mind that I'd ever be in the Home Run Derby, playing extra rounds to beat one of the best players ever to play baseball like Griffey."

Check out atlanticleaguebaseball.com for the complete interview.

Contact Mike at: mashmore@patriotsbaseball.com

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