The brothers (not related) Andrei and Nikolai Lobanov are currently the two best exports by Russian Baseball. The two left-handed pitchers were signed by the Minnesota Twins organization as non-drafted amateur free agents. This season both pitched together for the GCL Twins in the Gulf Coast League in Florida.
Nikolai Lobanov already made his pro debut last summer, when he appeared in three games for the GCL Twins, pitching three scoreless innings. This year the 19-year-old came back and had some trouble, as he only produced three appearances without given up a run. In seven games he posted an ERA of 6.97 with eight strikeouts (eight walks) in 10.1 innings pitched. Opponents hit .229 against him.
Andrei Lobanov made his debut this summer and even earned a late season call-up into the Florida State League to pitch for the Fort Myers Miracle. The 18-year-old southpaw pitched in 20 1/3 innings over nine games (two starts) with an ERA of 3.54 and a 3-1 record. He featured a pretty good strikeout/walk ratio of 17/3 and opponents batted .229 against him. At the end of the year he pitched two scoreless innings for the Miracle, auditioning for a Single A spot in 2009.
Both later went on to play for the Russian Under-21 team at the European Championship in Pamplona, Spain, finishing in fifth place. Andrei (1-1) appeared in two games (one start) with an ERA of 2.25 and 13 strikeouts (three walks) in twelve innings. Nikolai (0-1) got roughed up in two games (one start) with an ERA of 13.50 in 5 1/3 innings. He struck out three and walked three.
For one Lobanov the future looks bright, the other needs to step up his game or the both will be separated next year.