When the 2024 set grades came out and the Pitching Grade Challenge 7 was over, I tabulated the results. I always like to see where I stand. Well, the good news is that I scored 80%, a bit higher than last year. Then I compared myself to everyone else. Turns out, I was tied for 82nd. That’s still okay but I realized either all of us are getting smarter or the Challenge was too easy this year.
This chart will hopefully give you an idea of how we all did:
So yeah, I was right dab in the middle of the pack of 39 who got 16 right. A few more numbers to whet your appetite.
I always take pride in that the Challenge has grown every year.
Honorable Mentions too!
I realized after the fact that I didn’t recognize those who came close in my initial announcement. They are worthy of mention.
This list includes those who scored 95% (19 out of 20):
I see Mark Fitzkee and Joe Deauseault on this list. They are both former Pitching Grade Challenge winners. I am starting to see patterns of who the good grade predictors are. Mark and Joe in particular, seem to be towards the top of list each year.
Nice job by all!
The ‘gimme’
Something happened this year that I’ve never seen in the first six Pitching Grade Challenges. You all voted the same way on one pitcher.
Don’t get me wrong. I mean you were all right. Tarik Skubal had a 2.39 ERA with 18 wins and received an A grade. Let’s face it, he won the Cy Young award. But among the 259 voters, I would think there would be at least one grumpy one who thinks that’s not enough. Or perhaps a new APBA fan not quite familiar with the game.
Jack Flaherty was the second easiest to guess with a 95% correct rate.
The ‘stumper’
As good as you all did as a whole, there was one pitcher who stumped the majority of you. Grayson Rodriguez (13-4, 3.86 ERA) received a C grade. Voters were all over the place with Rodriguez. In fact, he was the only one who received a vote for each letter grade.
Most of you voted correctly on Carlos Rodon. But it was close. He had a 52.9% correct guess rate.
The Grades
Here are all of pitchers involved in the Pitchers Grade Challenge 7 and their official APBA grades:
Thanks to everyone who voted and congratulations to the winners, Scott Miller, Robert Hartman, Tom Doran, Dennis Jennings and Nick Tegeler!
It would be great to hear some tips from some of the super-pickers if they are willing to disclose a little bit of their magic to the rest of us simpletons.