Four Pitchers to Return to BlueSox in 2015
May 19, 2015 - Prospect League (Prospect)
Butler BlueSox News Release
Butler, PA - April 16, 2014 - The 2014 BlueSox pitching staff was one of the best in Prospect League history. They set new all-time League records for the lowest ERA, WHIP, and opponent's batting average. The staff also shut out their opponents 11 times-a feat only one other Prospect League team has accomplished in six seasons. Four pitchers who have already toed the rubber at Kelly Automotive Park will be returning this summer, looking to continue that success.
Ben Hartz (Junior, University at Buffalo) was a top starter for Butler last season. At one point in late June, Hartz combined in three consecutive starts to hold his opponents scoreless for 11.2 consecutive innings. He turned in one of his best starts of the year in the second game of that stretch with six shutout innings against the Chillicothe Paints.
The outing against Chillicothe was one of his five quality starts on the summer. Hartz's 2.27 ERA was second on Butler's staff among qualified pitchers, which is part of why he started Butler's first post-season game ever.
"He was one of the guys that helped get us to the post-season for the first time in franchise history in 2014,"Â said Anthony Rebyanski, Butler's Director of Player Personnel. "We believe he will do whatever he has to do to help get the Sox back there in 2015."
Austin Ross (Sophomore, Radford University) went from struggling last spring with an ERA at college around nine to throwing the strike three that clinched the BlueSox' first ever trip to the post-season.
Ross's 42 strikeouts were the most of any reliever in the East Division, just one behind the league lead. His ERA ended up at 1.36-it never rose above 2.00 for the last month and a half of the summer.
The Ks and low number of runs led to a spot as the team's closer, which Ross thrived in. His nine saves, which were just short of the League lead of ten, rank second all-time for the BlueSox. Ross also threw a scoreless inning with a strikeout in the Prospect League All-Star Game.
Jon Anderson (Junior, Slippery Rock University) was the first freshman pitcher to lead the BlueSox staff in innings pitched, when he did so in 2013.
Jon Anderson of Slippery Rock will return for his second season as a BlueSox pitcher.
In his ten starts, the Grove City-native had a 2.17 ERA and struck out nearly two hitters for every one he walked. He went on a tear throughout June and early July with six quality starts in seven games, going at least seven innings in five of them. "When Jon takes the ball, you know that your team has a chance to win that day,"Â said Rebyanski. "That is one of the main reasons we asked him to come back this summer. Being a pitcher that has been with us in the past, he knows what we all expect and we know he is up for the challenges that are ahead."
Tyler Slepski (Junior, Mercyhurst University) had a brief stint with the Sox late in 2014 when he started the final game of the season to assist an injury-plagued staff. Slepski took the hill at Kelly Automotive Park and threw an impressive outing, scattering six hits, striking out five, and yielding just two runs over 7.2 innings.
The Butler-native was equally impressive last spring for Mercyhurst North East with a 1.95 ERA over 60 innings in the team's top starter role. He transferred to Mercyhurst's main campus this spring where the Lakers went 39-9.
"Having guys return to the BlueSox in 2015 is great for our pitching staff,"Â said Rebyanski. "It's always good to have a few guys that are familiar with the league who can be leaders on and off the field."
Two position players in outfielder Alex Miklos (Junior, Kent State University) and catcher Russell Clark (Junior, University of Cincinnati) will both be returning to Butler for their third season each in pinstripes. Clark led the League in games caught last season. He threw out 27% of would-be base stealers, which was well above the League average of 19%.
Butler will open their seventh season of play in the Prospect League on Wednesday, May 27 in Jamestown, New York. Their home opener will be the following night at Kelly Automotive Park against the Champion City Kings.
"It's always good to have a few guys that are familiar with the league who can be leaders on and off the field..."
Prospect League Stories from May 19, 2015
- Four Pitchers to Return to BlueSox in 2015 - Butler BlueSox
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
