Texas Tech University Athletics
Red Raiders in the Major Leagues: Week 1 Update
July 28, 2011 | Baseball
A.J. Ramos ranks fifth in the Florida State league with 12 saves pitcher since 2007
June 20, 2011
LUBBOCK, Texas - The Texas Tech baseball program started the 2011 Major League Baseball season with several former players on MLB rosters and on Minor League Baseball rosters trying to reach the big leagues.
Currently, there are 16 former Texas Tech players who are playing with an MLB organization as a player. Throughout the remainder of the 2011 MLB season, Texas Tech athletics communications will provide weekly updates on former Red Raiders competing at the major league and minor league level.
Dallas Braden (LHP - Starting Pitcher - Oakland Athletics)
- Braden began his fifth big league season with the Athletics in 2011 with three starts and a 1-1 record in 18.0 innings pitched before a torn capsule in his left shoulder placed him on the 60-day disabled list. Currently there is no timetable for his recovery, but he is expected to miss the remainder of the 2011 season. He underwent a successful surgery on his left shoulder on May 17. Braden left his start on April 16 after five innings due to stiffness in his pitching shoulder. In three outings the left hander went 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA with 15 strikeouts and allowed just five walks. Braden pitched one season for Tech in 2004 and was drafted in 2004 in the 24th round by the Oakland Athletics.
- Braden's Bio
- Photo Gallery
- Video
Jeff Karstens (RHP - Starting Pitcher - Pittsburgh Pirates)
- Karstens won his start last Tuesday while pitching 6.2 innings against the Astros in Houston without allowing an earned run with three strikeouts and scattering three hits. He took the no decision yesterday in another road start at Cleveland. He went 7.0 innings allowing five hits and giving up one earned run with four strikeouts in a game the Pirates lost 5-2. On the season he is 4-4 with a 2.54 ERA in 16 appearances (12 starts) with 78.0 innings, 70 hits allowed, 27 runs (22 earned) with 51 strikeouts and 14 walks. Karstens has pitched in at least 6.2 innings in his last four starts and hasn't lost a decision since the end of May. Karstens pitched one season at Tech in 2003 and was drafted in 2003 in the 19th round by the New York Yankees.
- Karstens' Bio
- Photo Gallery
- Video
Josh Tomlin (RHP - Starting Pitcher - Cleveland Indians)
- Tomlin, who leads the American League allowing just 1.2 walks per nine innings, is tied for eighth in the A.L. with eight wins. He is 8-4 on the season with a 3.93 ERA in 89.1 innings while ranking among the top pitchers for the Tribe this season. Tomlin has been one of the most consistent starters in the A.L. this season having pitched in at least six innings in 13 of his 14 starts. In his most recent start, Tomlin went 6.2 innings allowing one earned run with five strikeouts and no walks in a win over Pittsburgh last Friday in Cleveland. Tomlin pitched one season at Tech in 2006 and was drafted in 2006 in the 19th round by the Cleveland Indians.
- Tomlin's Bio
- Photo Gallery
- Video
Zach Stewart (RHP - Starting Pitcher - Toronto Blue Jays)
- Stewart received his first call-up to the big leagues last week (June 14) and made his MLB debut as the starting pitcher for the Blue Jays last Thursday (June 16) against the Baltimore Orioles in Toronto. Stewart became the 22nd Red Raider to make his MLB debut. Stewart made his start a memorable one pitching 7.0 innings with four strikeouts while scattering seven hits and allowing two runs and one walk. His seven-inning start ties Tomlin for the longest start by a Red Raider in an MLB Debut. Tomlin pitched seven innings last season for Cleveland in a victory against the Yankees on July 27 in his MLB debut. Stewart took a no decision as the Blue Jays lost 4-3 against Baltimore. Stewart's seven-inning debut is the most innings pitched by a Blue Jay pitcher in his debut since Jesse Litsch pitched 8.2 innings (filling in for an injured Roy Halladay) on May 15, 2007 - which set the Toronto franchise record. Stewart will make his second start as a Blue Jay on Tuesday, June 21, at Turner Field in Atlanta in an interleague matchup with the Braves. Stewart pitched one season at Tech in 2008 and was drafted in 2008 in the third round by the Cincinnati Reds.
- Stewart's Bio
- Video
Josh Bard (C - Seattle Mariners - Triple-A - Tacoma Rainiers)
- Bard is currently batting .307 (63-for-205) with 26 runs, 17 doubles, two home runs and 40 RBI. Bard hit safely in three of five games last week, including a 2-for-5 performance with a double and RBI against Fresno on Tuesday. Bard is one of 22 Texas Tech players to play in the big leagues. He played nine MLB seasons with the Indians, Red Sox, Padres, Nationals and Mariners between 2002-2010. Last season Bard played in 39 games with the Mariners where he batted .214 (24-for-112) with seven doubles and three homers. Bard was the starting catcher at Texas Tech for three seasons, 1997-1999, and was drafted in 1999 in the third round by the Colorado Rockies.
- Bard's Bio
- Photo Gallery
- Video
Colt Hynes (LHP - Relief Pitcher - San Diego Padres - Triple-A - Tucson Padres)
- Hynes, an Arizona Fall League Rising Star in 2010, started the year in Double-A with the San Antonio Missions, but received a promotion to the Padres' Triple-A squad, the Tucson Padres on May 15, where he is currently 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA in 17 appearances (21.2 IP). Hynes received his promotion after tallying a 1.42 ERA in 17 outings in double-A where he struck out 19 and allowed just 12 hits in 19 innings pitched. Currently, Hynes has pitched six consecutive innings without allowing a run and has allowed just one walk in his last six appearances. Hynes pitched two seasons at Tech, 2006-07, and was drafted in 2007 in the 31st round by the San Diego Padres.
- Hynes' Bio
Dustin Richardson (LHP - Relief Pitcher - Florida Marlins - Triple-A - New Orleans Zephyrs)
- Richardson is currently 3-1 with a 3.66 ERA in 23 appearances while marking two saves in 32.0 innings of work with 31 hits allowed, 13 runs and striking out 35 batters with 20 walks. Four times in his last 10 outings he has posted multiple strikeouts while making three consecutive scoreless appearances since June 9. Richardson made his MLB debut with the Red Sox on September 28, 2009, and followed with 29 appearances (all relief) in the big leagues with the Red Sox between 2009-2010. Richardson owns a 0-0 record with a 3.31 ERA in 29 outings and 16.1 innings pitched with the Red Sox. Richardson pitched two seasons at Tech, 2005-06, and was drafted in 2006 in the fifth round by the Boston Red Sox.
- Richardson's Bio
- Photo Gallery
- Video
Chris Sampson (RHP - Starting Pitcher - Florida Marlins - Triple-A - New Orleans Zephyrs)
- Sampson is 4-0 this season with a 2.92 ERA in six starts and 37.0 innings pitched. He has tallied 26 strikeouts and has allowed only seven walks. His last three starts Sampson has struck out at least five. In his most recent start, last Saturday at Oklahoma City, Sampson earned the win pitching 7.0 innings and allowing four hits and one run and matched a season-high seven strikeouts. Sampson pitched one season at Tech in 1999 and was drafted in 1999 in the eighth round by the Houston Astros.
- Sampson's Bio
- Photo Gallery
- Video
Roger Kieschnick (RF - San Francisco Giants - Double-A - Richmond Flying Squirrels)
- Kieschnick, a third-round pick by the Giants in 2008, is currently batting .251 (61-for-243) with 34 runs, 12 doubles, three triples and six home runs with 33 RBI. Kieschnick has eight stolen bases and has notched three multi-hit games since June 10. In 2009, Kieschnick was a California League All-Star, both mid-season and post-season, while earning player of the week honors twice in 2009. Kieschnick was a three-year starter for Tech, 2006-08, and was drafted in 2008 in the third round by the San Francisco Giants.
- Kieschnick's Bio
Chad Bettis (RHP - Starting Pitcher - Colorado Rockies - Single-A (Advanced) - Modesto Nuts)
- Bettis is currently among California League leaders in starts (tied for 1st), strikeouts (2nd) and innings pitched (4th). He is 4-4 with a 4.30 ERA in 14 starts with 83.2 innings pitched and 88 strikeouts with 24 walks allowed. Earlier this month Bettis was named to the California League/Carolina League All-Star Game as a member of the California League roster. Bettis entered the season ranked as the No. 9 prospect in the Rockies organization (Baseball America). Bettis pitched three years at Tech, 2008-10, and was drafted in 2010 in the second round by the Colorado Rockies.
- Bettis' Bio
Bobby Doran (RHP - Starting Pitcher - Houston Astros - Single-A (Advanced) - Lancaster JetHawks)
- Doran was placed on the disabled list after leaving his June 2 start in the second inning with an arm injury. Doran opened the season with a 1-3 record and 10.30 ERA in 10 starts with 39.1 innings pitched. He has struck out 22 batters this season with 16 walks allowed. Doran pitched one season at Tech in 2010 and was drafted in 2010 in the third round by the Houston Astros.
- Doran's Bio
AJ Ramos (RHP - Relief Pitcher - Florida Marlins - Single-A (Advanced) - Jupiter Hammerheads)
- Ramos is currently fifth in the Florida State league with 12 saves and has posted a 1-1 record with a 2.42 ERA in 22 appearances - all in relief. He has logged 22.1 innings with 28 strikeouts and 10 walks allowed. Ramos has converted on three saves during the month of June and made eight scoreless outings during his last nine appearances. Ramos pitched four years at Tech, 2006-09, and was drafted in 2009 in the 21st round by the Florida Marlins.
- Ramos' Bio
Chris Richburg (1B - Cincinnati Reds - Single-A (Advanced) - Bakersfield Blaze)
- Richburg is batted .261 (42-for-161) with 21 runs, 11 doubles, one triple and four home runs with 19 RBI. Richburg is batting .333 (11-for-33) during his last 10 games played with two homers and two multi-hit games. Richburg is currently riding a nine-game hitting streak where he is batting .367 (11-for-30). Richburg played four years at Tech, 2005, 2007-09, and was drafted in 2009 in the 23rd round by the Cincinnati Reds.
- Richburg's Bio
Jay Johnson (LHP - Philadelphia Phillies - Single-A - Lakewood BlueClaws)
- Johnson has made 15 appearances this season with a 0-1 record and 3.38 ERA in 18.2 innings pitched. He has allowed only 10 hits and seven runs while striking out 22 batters and allowing 16 walks. Johnson has logged scoreless appearances in five of his last six outings and has pitched at least three innings in his last two relief outings. Johnson pitched one year at Tech in 2010 and was drafted in 2010 in the 26th round by the Toronto Blue Jays.
- Johnson's Bio
Robbie Kilcrease (LHP - Pittsburgh Pirates - Free Agent)
- Kilcrease signed a free agent contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday, June 14. He reported to Bradenton, Fla., the site of the Pirates Class-A Advanced organization, the Bradenton Marauders. Kilcrease pitched three years at Tech, 2008-09, 2011, and signed as a free agent in 2011 with the Pirates.
Nick Popescu (3B - Atlanta Braves - Rookie League - Gulf Coast League Braves)
- Popescu signed with the Atlanta Braves just days after being selected in the 33rd round of the MLB First-Year Players Draft. Popescu has yet to make his professional debut but has been assigned to the Braves Rookie League squad, the Gulf Coast League Braves. Popescu played two years at Tech, 2010-11, and was drafted in 2011 in the 33rd round by the Atlanta Braves.
- Popescu's Bio
