And here is the chat with Ben Shockey, the unassuming rookie sniper out of the Outlaws bullpen late this season. In the same fashion he politely reminds me here I referred to his beloved hometown "Rays" inaccurately as the "Devil Rays," Shockey consistently dismissed GBL hitters without a dominant array of pitches to the point where he was a legitimate candidate for August Pitcher of the Month.

Shockey only stands about 5-foot-9, which struck me — was he not every bit as popular as similarly-sized David Pierson, the Outlaws' middle infield dynamo last year, because he was a relief pitcher? I think so, and that just goes to show you the offensive line-type treatment successful young relievers can expect to receive throughout their careers. Anyway, watch for Shockey to be advertised by the club a lot more going into next season, so say you discovered him "here" first....