Now that the 2002 season has come to an end, everyone is looking to ’03 in anticipation of how their respective team will shape up.  One of the things we all look forward to is the grades our pitchers will receive.  There has been talk that up to seven ABL starting pitchers will be awarded an ‘A’.  No way, I say!  Here’s how I see it…

NO DOUBT ABOUT IT

Pedro Martinez (DUR) 20-4  2.26 ERA.….A (XY)(Z)

20 wins, MLB-best ERA among starters & opposing batters hit a mere .198 against this guy…if he isn’t an ‘A’, no one is.

DESERVES TO GET IT

Derek Lowe (FAL) 21-8  2.58 ERA…….A (Z)

Based on his stats alone, Lowe deserves an ‘A’.  The only thing that could deprive him is if APBA decides a second-place Boston team can’t have 2 ‘A’s (see Martinez above).

MIGHT AS WELL BE AN ‘A’

Curt Schilling (FAL) 23-7  3.23 ERA…….B (XY)(ZZ)

His ERA in the 3’s probably knocks him out of ‘A’ contention, but his 1.1 BB/9 IP should secure him the ‘ZZ’.

CLOSE, BUT NO CIGAR

Bartolo Colon (ALA) 20-8  2.93 ERA…..B (Z)

Switching leagues won’t help Colon’s chances and batters hit .252 against him, too high for an ‘A’.  If he somehow gets it, APBA won’t give him the ‘Z’.

Roy Halladay (KEY) 19-7  2.93 ERA…..B (Y)(Z)

Winning 20 games would have greatly improved his chances.  Good solid ‘B’ stats.

Woody Williams (VT) 9-4 2.53 ERA…..B (Y)(Z)

Great ERA, but 9 wins for an ‘A’?  Maybe as a square card. 

WISHFUL THINKING

Tim Wakefield (KEY) 11-5  2.81 ERA …..B (Y)(Z)

11 wins and a part-time starter equals ‘B’ all the way.  If he gets a split grade, however,  it could be B(A*) (Y).