Pitcher Robbie Almanzar facing Falcons slugger Ryan Bird in game 6 of the 2012 National Championship Final
The Herts Falcons have announced the signing of left-handed pitcher Robbie Almanzar.
Hailing from the Dominican Republic, Almanzar is entering his fourth season in the National Baseball League, having spent the 2012 and 2013 seasons with the Harlow Nationals followed by a brief spell with the Essex Arrows last year.
In his NBL debut season he burst onto the scene scooping the Most Valuable Pitcher Award after a remarkable debut season. He led all of the key pitching categories including Most Wins (9 wins 0 losses), Most Strike-Outs (52), Best ERA 3.36, Best WHIP (1.17) and Most Innings Pitched (72).
|
TEAM |
SEASON |
W |
L |
ERA |
CG |
IP |
SO |
SO/9IP |
|
Harlow Nationals |
2012 |
9 |
0 |
3.36 |
8 |
75 |
52 |
6.2 |
|
Harlow Nationals |
2013 |
1 |
4 |
6.75 |
2 |
29 1/3 |
18 |
5.5 |
|
Essex Arrows |
2014 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2/3 |
0 |
0 |
Source: Project COBB
Herts fans remember him well after he broke their hearts in game 6 of the National Baseball League Championship Final. He won that game 6-3.
Robbie Almanzar (left) trying to get to first base in the 2013 National Championship Semi-Final (photo by Richard Lee)
He added to Herts Falcons’ misery a year later when the two teams met again in the playoffs, this time in the National Semi-Final. The game finished 9-8 with Almanzar once again pitching a complete game to claim the win.
Although NBL fans mostly recognise him for his pitching achievements, he has impressive batting stats with career batting average of .281, slugging average of .378, including one home run, which was a grand slam against the Essex Redbacks in May 2013.
|
TEAM |
SEASON |
R |
HR |
RBI |
SB |
BA |
OBA |
SLA |
PA/SO |
|
Harlow Nationals |
2012 |
24 |
1 |
10 |
6 |
0.338 |
0.44 |
0.463 |
12.1 |
|
Harlow Nationals |
2013 |
14 |
0 |
5 |
6 |
0.216 |
0.32 |
0.275 |
15.3 |
|
Essex Arrows |
2014 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
This news is a major boost for Herts ahead of the new season. With 2014 NBL Most Valuable Batter and Most valuable Pitcher, Abel Salas, making the move to the USA, the Falcons were desperate to add to their roster. The additions of Maikel Azcuy and Robbie Almanzar are two major acquisitions which have put the team straight back in the NBL race.
Falcons fans are expected to see both new signings make their Spring Training debuts when the Herts Spring League commences later this month.
By Daniel Levitt @DanielLevitt32