#2 Reliever: Joel Brookens

Our #2 reliever, Joel Brookens, has been throwing the ball past hitters for quite a while now, in several different situations. First of all, for Front Royal in the 2007 summer, Joel finished 0-1, 1.35, with 13 saves, 0.90 WHIP, 4.1 BB/9, 13.1 K/9, and .129 opponent's batting average in 20 innings.  He was, obviously, as reliable as they come in the end stages of a baseball game.

Joel started his career at George Washington as a freshman in 2005, when he went 0-1, 2.53, with 10 saves, a 1.03 WHIP, 3.7 BB/9, and 12.7 K/9 in 32 innings.

He played for Front Royal in the summer of '05, again dominating, going 1-0, 2.43, with 3 saves, an 0.91 WHIP, 2.4 BB/9, and 13.3 K/9 in 29 2/3 innings. If I had started this blog three years ago, I imagine Brookens would have made my relievers list then as well.

He transferred to North Carolina State for his sophomore season in 2006, and had a relatively good year, finishing at 1-1, 3.41, with a 1.26 WHIP, 4.0 BB/9, and 7.9 K/9 in 31 2/3 innings.

In the summer of 2006, Joel had the opportunity to play for the Harwich Mariners in the illustrious Cape Cod League. Against some of the top college players in the country, he went 2-1, 3.62, with a 1.50 WHIP, 5.6 BB/9, and 8.9 K/9 in 27 1/3 innings.

Back at NC State for his junior year in 2007, Joel didn't pitch very much. I don't know why, but Brookens threw only 4 innings, going 0-0, 4.50.  He moved back to Front Royal last summer and dominated again, and now he's transferred to Tennessee Wesleyan, an NAIA school. Hopefully Joel will have the opportunity to put up more solid numbers, and get a shot at pro ball this June! (Photo below courtesy of Front Royal website)

Comments

[TONY]

NICE TO SEE A FRONT ROYAL PLAYER FINALLY MAKING YOUR TOP 10 LIST. JOEL WAS TERRIFIC IN RELIEF AND THE SPEEDY CARDINALS WERE FUN TO WATCH THIS SUMMER.

[JohnLL]

Believe me when I say it was nothing personal against the Front Royal organization, Tony! I was looking at pure numbers for all the lists, and this method overlooks some of the contributions players make- like speed and defense- that someone watching the club every day would notice. John

[Tony]

John, I did not mean it that way, I believe your top ten lists are very accurate and your picks are excellent. Except for Bennet Davis, I don't think there was another Cardinal that had enough stats to make your top 10 lists. I hope coach Bradenton returns to the Valley next year. He had those Cardinals playing exciting and dynamic baseball all summer long. I really had the Cardinals going all the way, but Luray played brilliant defense last 2 games to advance. Looking forward reading your Valley league posts this summer. Take care