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North Battleford’s Albers on fire in AAA

Aug 8, 2017 | 12:00 PM

Twice now in Andrew Albers’ professional baseball career, he has posted a sub-3.00 earned run average in over 100 innings of work: this season and in 2013.

In 2013, the North Battleford native did so with the AAA Rochester Red Wings, which warranted a call up to the major leagues by early August. He started 10 games for the Minnesota Twins that season, posting a 2-5 record and 4.05 ERA.

This season, the left-handed pitcher has yet to be called up to the majors, but one would think it’s only a matter of time, based on his spectacular numbers across the board for the AAA Gwinnett Braves, the Atlanta Braves affiliate.

The 31-year-old is tied for the second-most wins in the International League with 11 and has the third-lowest ERA at 2.72. Not known for his high strikeout numbers, Albers still sits seventh in the IL with 111 in 112.2 innings of work this season.

Perhaps his most impressive stat is his low walks-per-inning ratio. He is one of only two pitchers in the IL to have given up less than 20 walks in over 100 innings pitched. Albers has given up just 17 free bases in his 112.2 innings, for a league-leading K/BB of 6.53. Although he has given up roughly one hit per inning, his low walk numbers mean his WHIP of 1.15 is still good for sixth-best in the IL right now.

Recently, Albers took things to another stratosphere.

Following his eight-inning performance this past Saturday where he allowed zero runs and struck out 10 batters, he now has an insane 0.95 ERA over his last seven starts (dating back to July 4). That’s because he has only given up five earned runs in his past 47.1 innings on the mound, and posted 45 strikeouts in that time.

Could a call-up be imminent?

Braves fans are wondering that very thing.

Perhaps Albers will be given a chance in September, at the very least. But with Atlanta already 11.5 games out of a wild card spot in the National League, why not call him up while he’s hot?

Time will tell if he gets another crack at the majors.

nathan.kanter@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @NathanKanter11