Major League Pitchers
Adam Wainwright, Starting Pitcher, St. Louis Cardinals
Adam Wainwright, starting pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals, was a star athlete in college, playing both football and baseball. In 2000, he was drafted by the Atlanta Braves but he only played in their minor league system before being traded to the Cardinals in December, 2003. After two years in the Cardinals' minor league system, he was called up to the Cardinals to pitch in two games in 2005. [read more...]
A.J. Burnett, Starting Pitcher, Philadelphia Phillies
A.J. Burnett, starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies, was first drafted by the New York Mets in 1995 but he only played in their minor league system before they traded him in 1998 to the Florida Marlins. He spent two years in the Marlins' minor league system before being called up in 1997 to pitch in seven games for them. The following season, he pitched in 13 games for the Marlins. [read more...]
Bronson Arroyo, Starting Pitcher, Arizona Diamondbacks
Bronson Arroyo, starting pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks, was first drafted in 1995 by the Pittsburgh Pirates. He played in the Pirates' minor league system from 1995 through 1999. In 2000, he pitched 71.2 innings in 20 games with the Pirates. The following season, he pitched in 24 games with them but in 2002, his playing time was limited to 9 games, with time spent on the DL and back in the minor leagues. [read more...]
Dillon Gee, Starting Pitcher, New York Mets
Dillon Gee, starting pitcher for the New York Mets, was a star pitcher in high school and at the University of Texas. While in high school, he had two no-hitters. In 2007, he was drafted by the Mets and he played in their minor league system through most of 2010, pitching in five games with the Mets that year. He ended his minor league career with a 28-19 win-loss record and a 3.78 ERA. [read more...]
Ervin Santana, Starting Pitcher, Atlanta Braves
Ervin Santana, starting pitcher for the Atlanta Braves, started his professional baseball career with the Los Angeles Angels in 2000. He played in their minor league system from 2001 through 2004. [read more...]
Francisco Liriano, Starting Pitcher, Pittsburgh Pirates
Francisco Liriano, starting pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, first signed with the San Francisco Giants in 2000. He played in the Giants' minor league system from 2001 until 2004, when they traded him to the Minnesota Twins. He then pitched in the Twins' minor league system through most of 2005, playing in just six games with the Twins that season. [read more...]
Ian Kennedy, Starting Pitcher, San Diego Padres
Ian Kennedy, starting pitcher for the San Diego Padres, was a top pitcher in both high school and college. He was first drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2003 but he didn't sign with them. Three years later, he was drafted by the New York Yankees. From 2006 through most of 2009, he pitched in the Yankees' minor league system. He played with the Yankees in 3 games in 2007, 10 games in 2008, and in 1 game in 2009. [read more...]
Jeff Samardzija, Starting Pitcher, Chicago Cubs
Jeff Samardzija, starting pitcher for the Chicago Cubs, was a top football and baseball player at the University of Notre Dame. He was drafted by the Cubs and he played in their minor league system from 2006 through 2007. In 2008, he pitched 27.2 innings in 26 games with the Cubs. The following season, he pitched in 20 games with the Cubs as well as playing in the minors. He spent most of 2010 in the minor leagues, playing in just 7 games with the Cubs that year. He ended his minor league career with a 31-28 win-loss record and a 4.30 ERA. [read more...]
Jered Weaver, Starting Pitcher, Los Angeles Angels
Jered Weaver, starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels, is the younger brother of former major league pitcher Jeff Weaver. Jered was a star pitcher in college and he was drafted by the Angels in 2004. After just one year in the minor leagues, he was called up to pitch in 19 games with the Angels in 2006. He replaced his brother when Jeff was designated for assignment by the Angels. [read more...]
Justin Masterson, Starting Pitcher, Cleveland Indians
Justin Masterson, starting pitcher for the Cleveland Indians, first signed with the Boston Red Sox in 2006. At that time, he agreed to a minor league contract as a relief pitcher. In 2007, his second season in Boston's minor league system, he became a starting pitcher. The following season, he joined the Red Sox as both a starting pitcher and a relief pitcher, pitching 88.1 innings in 36 games with them. [read more...]