Split grade pitcher ratings

[HOFfridge]

In prepping for a league draft, I noticed some inconsistencies in APBA’s grading of pitchers. These came from the 1998 season. I have wondered about it before but thought I would throw it out to the forum for your thoughts. Not sure how the format will look here and I apologize if is difficult to read. The rules notations are for the league I was preparing to draft.

These pitchers have enough innings pitched on the season to qualify as a reliever but do not have enough starts and do not have the * on their cards.
They would be ineligible under our Retro rules.

B. CHOUINARD CZ 27 games 2 starts 41 IP (6 as a SP, 35 as a RP)
A. TELEMACO CZ 41 games 18 strtts 148.2 IP (102.1 as a SP, 46.1 as a RP)
D. MARTINEZ CYZ 53 games 5 starts 91 IP (26.1 as a SP, 64.2 as a RP)
D. JOHNS C 31 games 9 starts 86.2 IP (41 as a SP, 45.1 as a RP)
B. FLORIE CY 42 games 16 starts 133 IP (92 as a SP, 41 as a RP)
K. OJALA C 41 games 13 starts 125 IP (73 as a SP, 52 as a RP)
D. WEATHERS CY 44 games 9 starts 110 IP (49.2 as a SP, 60.1 as a RP)
M. BATISTA C 56 games 13 starts 135 IP (71.1 as a SP, 63.2 as a RP)
K. BOTTENFELD CY 44 games 17 starts 133.2 IP (100.1 as a SP, 33.1 as a RP)
M. BUSBY CY 26 games 2 starts 46 IP (10.2 as a SP, 35.1 as a RP)
J. SANTANA C 35 games 19 starts 145.2 IP (116.2 as a SP, 29 as a RP)
K. ESCOBAR CX 22 games 10 starts 79.2 IP (74 as a SP, 5.2 as a RP)

I understand Escobar not getting a * with the limited relief innings, but a lot of these would qualify for LABL Retro based just on their relief numbers, yet no *.

The following pitchers have the * which would make them LABL Retro eligible.
Appears to be random decisions on doubling the grade and adding the *.

J. KEY C(C*)YZ 25 games 14 starts 79.1 IP (55.2 as a SP, 14.1 as a RP)
D. LOWE C(C*)Z 63 games 10 starts 123 IP (38 as a SP, 85 as a RP)
G. WHITE C(C*)Z 69 games 3 starts 98.2 IP (15.1 as a SP, 83.1 as a RP)
R. MENDOZA B(B*)Z 41 games 14 starts 130.1 IP (83.1 as a SP, 47 as a RP)
R. ORTIZ C(C*)YW 22 games 13 starts 88.1 IP (75.2 as a SP, 12.2 as a RP)

Just for comparison’s sake, look at Bryce Florie, Kirt Ojala, Miguel Batista and/or Kent Bottenfield side by side with Jimmy Key and Russ Ortiz. All have a similar number of starts but the others all have way more relief innings, yet Key and Ortiz get the second C and the * on the card.
WHY? What am I missing?

This was just a quick run through of the rosters. I am sure there are more that I missed.