Funny note that I ran across the other day. It seems that Joba started off the year and not one of the first 16 hitters he faced made contact with his slider.

That's right. This youngster is sporting a slider WHIFF rate of 1.000 in six appearances. Some of the victims: Alex Rios, Vernon Wells, Gary Sheffield, Miguel Tejada, Pudge Rodriguez, Orlando Cabrera, and Vlad Guerrero.

In other talented Baby Bomber news, Alan Horne was named the 2007 Eastern League Pitcher of the Year by the Eastern League. He's had a couple of rough outings the last few times out but it couldn't diminish how great he was for much of the year.

The 24-year old has been the ace of the Northern Division leading Trenton pitching staff, compiling a record of 12-4 with a 2.97 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP while striking out 158 batters and walking 51 in 142.1 innings of work this season. The 6’4”, 195 lb. hurler has been dominant for the Thunder all season, giving up one earned run or less in 13 of his 25 appearances and striking out at least six batters in a game 21 different times

Hat tip to Pending Pinstripes and River Ave Blues for the Horne news.