Charlotte Stone Crabs May Pitcher Of The Month

The Candidates: Alex Cobb, David Newmann, Matt Gorgen, Rayner Oliveros, Justin Garcia. Cobb and Newmann both started 5 games in May, pitched 27.0 innings, and gave up 2 home runs. Cobb's ERA was a full run lower (2.33 to 3.33) and he only walked 3 batters to Newmann's 9. Newmann had the edge in hits allowed (19 to 25), strikeouts (28 to 18), ground outs to air outs (2.40 to 1.27), and batting average against (.198 to .248).

The relievers also had nice months, with Gorgen putting up a 0.60 ERA in 15.0 innings over 9 appearances and picking up 5 saves. He struck out 18 and only allowed opposing hitters a .106 batting average. Oliveros, returned to the Montgomery Biscuits earlier today, had a 1.53 ERA in 17.2 innings and struck out 18 while only walking 3 batters. Garcia was 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA in 6 appearances. Over 12.0 innings he struck out 14, walked 1, and held batters to a .150 average.

The Winner: Very tough choice, but the award goes to Matt Gorgen. The 22 year-old righthander only allowed one earned run all month while striking out 10.8 batters per 9 innings and he only allowed 1 hit for every 3 innings he pitched. While the ERA, strikeouts, and hit rate were exceptional, he did allow 7 walks and had a GO/AO of 0.71.

For the 2009 season he has a miniscule 0.36 ERA (one ER all year) and 32 strikeouts while only allowing 14 hits in 25.0 innings. He was drafted by the Rays out of the University of California at Berkeley in the 16th round of the 2008 draft. Last season for the Hudson Valley Renegades he had a 1.96 ERA with 35 strikeouts and only 5 walks in 23.0 innings. Opposing batters had an amazingly low 7 hits in 75 at bats against him (.093 average).