With the 2009 South Atlantic League Playoffs just around the corner, the first game is on the road September 9th and the first home game is September 11th, the BlueClaws pitching staff has received a boost in the promotion of two players from the Williamsport Crosscutters.

The BlueClaws welcome both Korey Noles and Austin Hyatt to the team, and based on their success in Williamsport, they could provide a big boost to the BlueClaws in the playoffs.

Korey Noles - 5′ 11″ 185 Lefty - Noles was selected in the 2008 draft in the 24th round by the Philadelphia Phillies out of Columbus State University in Georgia. Noles began his career last season with Williamsport, under the direction of Dusty Wathan, and pitched 15 2/3 innings and allowed just four runs. Noles began 2009 with the GCL Phillies and alloowed one run in 18 innings, so then he moved to Williamsport where he had a 2.34 ERA in 42 1/3 innings. Noles struck out 39 and walked just 11. The word around the clubhouse is that Noles has a devastating change up and that he could be a real impact pitcher for the BlueClaws come playoff time. He also offers another left-handed option within this pitching staff.

Austin Hyatt - 6′ 2″ 180 Righty - The 15th round selection in 2009 out of the University of Alabama has put up some stunning numbers in his first season in professional baseball with the Williamsport Crosscutters. Here they are: In 54 1/3 innings, Hyatt has allowed just four earned runs (0.66 ERA), he has struck out 81, walked just 12, and allowed only 26 hits. Opposing batters are hitting .141 off of Hyatt. In his last start, he went 7 innings, allowed three hits and struck out 11.

In recent memory, the pitchers who have come to Lakewood after having success in Williamsport have parlayed that same success in the SAL. Last season, the trio of Drew Naylor, Michael Stutes and Michael Cisco were a fine example and this season, the success of Matthew Way has been a good indication as well. Both Noles and Hyatt will feature in the regular season before helping in the post-season and are prime to make a big impact, despite their short time in Lakewood. The BlueClaws welcome their two new pitchers Korey Noles and Austin Hyatt.

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009 at 1:57 pm and is filed under 2009 BlueClaws. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.