Texas Tech University Athletics
Red Raiders in the Major Leagues: Week 3 Update
July 04, 2011 | Baseball
Jeff Karstens pitched at least 6.2 IP in all six June starts without losing a decision
July 4, 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 20 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.
Josh Bard (Catcher - Seattle Mariners)
- Bard was called up to the big leagues on June 29, marking his second stint with the Mariners, after playing the 2010 season in a Seattle uniform. Now in his 10th MLB season, Bard went 2-for-4 with an RBI in his first game back up to the big leagues and then went 1-for-4 on July 1 before going 0-for-3 on both July 2 and July 3. In 58 games in Triple-A this season, Bard batted .301 (68-for-226) with 18 doubles, two homers and tallied 41 RBI. In his time as a big leaguer, Bard has played in 564 career games while batting .256 (438-for-1,711) with 106 doubles, 37 home runs and has 210 career RBI. 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
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 for the third time in his last four starts last Thursday pitching seven innings with a pair of strikeouts at Toronto while giving up five hits and only two earned runs with a walk. Over his last 10 outings, Karstens is 4-3 with a 2.12 ERA in 59.1 innings with 31 strikeouts and eight walks allowed. On the season he is 6-4 with a 2.65 ERA in 14 starts (18 appearances) with 91.2 innings pitched, 55 strikeouts and 18 walks allowed. His 2.65 ERA places him in sixth place in the National League. Karstens is scheduled to make his 15th start of the season for the Pirates on Tuesday, July 5 at 6:05 p.m. (CT) at home against the Houston Astros. In addition, Karstens pitched at least 6.2 innings in all six June starts without losing a decision. 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)
- Although Tomlin was not selected to the American League All-Star team on Sunday, he has plenty to shoot for as the first-half of the season is coming closer to an end. Tomlin, who is scheduled to make the start tonight against the New York Yankees in Cleveland, is aiming to win his 10th game, as he enters the game tied for eighth in the MLB with nine victories. Also, if Tomlin pitches at least five innings in tonight's start he will become the MLB all-time record holder with 29 consecutive starts pitching at least 5.0 innings to start an MLB career. Tomlin is currently tied for the most consecutive (28) to start a career with Daisuke Matsuzaka (Boston, 2007). Tomlin is currently 9-4 with a 3.86 ERA in 16 appearances (all starts). He has allowed only 12 walks in 102.2 innings with 58 strikeouts. In his brief career, Tomlin is 15-8 with a 4.15 ERA in 28 starts with 101 strikeouts and 31 walks allowed. 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
Colt Hynes (LHP - Relief Pitcher - San Diego Padres - Triple-A - Tucson Padres)
- Hynes has made 39 appearances this season in both Double-A and Triple-A with a 2-4 record and 3.77 ERA in his relief opportunities. He has posted 45.1 innings pitched and has allowed 47 hits and 20 runs (19 earned) with 31 strikeouts and 19 walks. His most recent relief outing was on July 2 where he gave up one run and two hits in 0.2 innings pitched. 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 - Atlanta Braves - Triple-A - Gwinnett Braves)
- Richardson has allowed only one run for the Triple-A Gwinnett Braves since being claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Braves. He has made four relief appearances for Gwinnett posting a 2.25 ERA allowing three hits and striking out one without issuing a walk. 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 hasn't made an appearance since making another impressive outing on June 28 as he led the Zephyrs to a win over Round Rock while pitching a seven-inning complete game allowing one run on six hits with two strikeouts without allowing a walk in the win. Sampson is 5-0 this season with a 2.66 ERA in seven starts while pitching 44.0 innings and collecting 28 strikeouts and allowing seven walks. In fact, Sampson owns a 2-0 record over his last three starts with a 1.29 ERA. 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
Zach Stewart (RHP - Starting Pitcher - Toronto Blue Jays - Double-A - New Hampshire Fisher Cats)
- Stewart was optioned to Double-A New Hampshire after going 0-1 with a 4.86 ERA in three starts with Toronto with 16.2 innings pitched and 10 strikeouts. Stewart returned to the hill for the Double-A Fisher Cats on Sunday in a solid start despite taking the loss going 6.0 innings allowing zero earned runs (3 runs) on six hits with four strikeouts and two walks allowed. In his last 12 innings pitched in Double-A, Stewart has allowed only one earned run. 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
Roger Kieschnick (RF - San Francisco Giants - Double-A - Richmond Flying Squirrels)
- Last week Kieschnick was named to the Double-A Eastern League All-Star team, his third time (Mid-Season and Post-Season in 2009) being named an All-Star in his professional career. He is currently batting .257 (74-for-288) with 42 runs, 13 doubles, three triples and eight home runs with 41 RBI. He is also 9-of-15 in stolen bases. 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, a California League All-Star selection this season, had yet another outstanding performance on Sunday as he earned the win going 8.0 innings allowing just one run on four hits with one walk and seven strikeouts. It marked his fifth straight start pitching at least 6.2 innings while striking out at least seven batters for the third time in his last four starts. In his first full minor league season, Bettis is 6-4 with a 3.83 ERA in 16 starts while going 98.2 innings, allowing 93 hits, 42 earned runs and striking out 103 batters and allowing 27 walks. He is currently second in the league in strikeouts and sixth in ERA. 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 notched his eighth consecutive scoreless appearance on Sunday for the Single-A Jupiter Hammerheads. He has not allowed a run since June 3 and has tallied a 0.90 ERA over his last 10 outings. In his last appearance on Sunday, Ramos struck out two in an inning without allowing a base hit or walk. This season, Ramos is 1-1 with a 2.05 ERA in 26 appearances (all relief) with 26.1 innings pitched, 18 hits allowed, 34 strikeouts and 10 walks allowed. 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 saw his 10-game hitting streak snapped earlier last week before collecting back-to-back multi-hit games on June 29 (2-for-4) and June 30 (2-for-4). Over his last 10 games, Richburg has batted .314 (11-for-35) with four multi-hit games. Richburg is batting .262 (48-for-183) this season with 11 doubles, one triple, five home runs and 20 RBI. 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 now made four consecutive scoreless appearances (all relief) while notching three scoreless outings just last week. Johnson is currently 0-1 with a 2.66 ERA in 18 appearances (all relief) with 23.2 innings pitched, 12 hits allowed, seven earned runs allowed and with 27 strikeouts and 18 walks allowed. 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
Jeremy Mayo (C - Washington Nationals - Short-Season Single-A - Auburn Doubledays)
- After playing in five games with the Gulf Coast Rookie League Nationals earlier this spring, Mayo made his Short-Season A debut on June 23. In five games in Short-Season, Mayo is batting .185 (5-for-27) with four runs, one double, one home runs and four RBI. Mayo played three years at Tech, 2008-2010, and was drafted in 2010 in the 31st round by the Washington Nationals.
- Mayo's Bio
Zach Fowler (LHP - Baltimore Orioles - Rookie League - Gulf Coast League Orioles)
- Fowler made his professional debut on June 27 pitching one scoreless inning with a strikeout and base hit allowed for the Orioles Rookie League squad. Since, Fowler has made one appearance (July 1) in relief while striking out one batter in a scoreless frame. Fowler pitched one year at Tech in 2011 and was drafted in 2011 in the 34th round by the Baltimore Orioles.
- Fowler's Bio
Nathan Karns (RHP - Washington Nationals - Rookie League - Gulf Coast League Nationals)
- Karns has shined in three starts for the Gulf Coast League Nationals squad. Karns has struck out 14 batters in 9.2 innings while allowing only two base hits without allowing a single run. In his last start, Karns went four scoreless innings while not allowing a base hit with seven strikeouts.
- Karns' Bio
Robbie Kilcrease (LHP - Pittsburgh Pirates - Rookie League - Gulf Coast League Pirates)
- Kilcrease has made three appearances this season with the Pirates Gulf Coast League team. He has a 0-2 record with a 6.43 ERA in three outings (all relief) with 7.0 innings, seven runs allowed (5 ER) with two walks and two strikeouts. His last outing was on June 28, where he tossed a season-high 3.0 innings. Kilcrease pitched three years at Tech, 2008-09, 2011, and signed as a free agent in 2011 with the Pirates.
- Kilcrease's Bio
Nick Popescu (3B - Atlanta Braves - Rookie League - Gulf Coast League Braves)
- Popescu is currently batting .250 (4-for-16) with one run and one RBI for the Gulf Coast League Braves. Popescu has played in five games, his most recent on July 1. Popescu played two years at Tech, 2010-11, and was drafted in 2011 in the 33rd round by the Atlanta Braves.
- Popescu's Bio
Kelby Tomlinson (SS - San Francisco Giants - Rookie League - Arizona League Giants)
- Tomlinson has hit safely in three games at the Rookie League level in Scottsdale, Ariz. He is batting .500 (5-for-10) and recently went 2-for-3 with two runs, two doubles and one walk on July 1. He has two multi-hit games since making his pro debut on June 25. Tomlinson played one year at Tech in 2011 and was drafted in 2011 in the 12th round by the San Francisco Giants.
- Tomlinson's Bio
