Texas Tech University Athletics
Red Raiders in the Major Leagues: Week 7 Update
August 01, 2011 | Baseball
Tomlinson ended last week with three consecutive multi-hit games while batting .500 (5-for-10)
August 1, 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 teams 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 (C - 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. Bard made two starts behind the plate last week while hitting safely in each game. He went 1-for-4 against the Yankees (7/27) in a game Seattle snapped its 17-game losing streak. He then went 1-for-3 against Boston (7/30). In 13 games with the Mariners, Bard is batting .233 (10-for-43) with four doubles, one home run and four RBI. Bard's MLB career began in 2002 with the Cleveland Indians and is now in his 10th big-league season. 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, who was named the National League Player of the Week on July 18, received two no decisions last week while pitching at least five innings in both starts. He went five innings allowing three earned runs on six hits with three walks and three strikeouts at Atlanta (7/26). He made his second road start last week at Philadelphia - who has the best record in MLB - going seven innings and striking out five while allowing three earned runs on seven hits. Both games Karstens pitched the Pirates suffered one-run losses. This season Karstens is 8-5 with a 2.49 ERA in 19 starts (23 appearances) over 126.2 innings - which marks a new career-high after throwing 122.2 innings last season. He has one complete-game shutout this season with 69 strikeouts and 24 walks allowed. 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 took the loss in his most recent start (7/26) against the Los Angeles Angels despite pitching eight innings and allowing only two earned runs. He is 11-5 this season with a 4.01 ERA in 21 starts while pitching 134.2 innings. He has struck out 73 batters and owns a .238 opponent batting average and has walked only 16 batters. 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
Dustin Richardson (LHP - Relief Pitcher - Atlanta Braves - Triple-A - Gwinnett Braves)
- Richardson made two appearances out of the bullpen last week. He tallied 0.1 of an inning on July 28 and then pitched two innings while allowing two runs on two hits last Saturday. Richardson is 3-1 this year with a 3.66 ERA in 46.2 innings while making 37 appearances (all relief). He has struck out 46 batters while allowing 29 walks. 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 improved to 7-0 on the season last Wednesday pitching six innings and allowing two runs with two strikeouts against Iowa. He owns a 3.51 ERA in 13 starts this season with one complete game, 77.0 innings pitched and 39 strikeouts with just 14 walks allowed. 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
Colt Hynes (LHP - Relief Pitcher - San Diego Padres - Double-A - San Antonio Missions)
- Hynes made three appearances last week while pitching a total of four innings in relief. Hynes is 2-6 this year (between Double-A and Triple-A outings) with a 4.29 ERA in 50 appearances. He has pitched 63.0 innings while striking out 43 batters and giving up 28 walks. Hynes pitched two seasons at Tech, 2006-07, and was drafted in 2007 in the 31st round by the San Diego Padres.
- Hynes' Bio
Zach Stewart (RHP - Starting Pitcher - Chicago White Sox - Triple-A - Charlotte Knights)
- Stewart was part of a four-player trade last week, which sent him to the Chicago White Sox organization - where he joined Triple-A Charlotte. He made his first appearance as a member of the Sox' organization on Sunday going 6.1 innings with five strikeouts while allowing three runs on 10 hits in the loss. Stewart has now spent time in Double-A, Triple and in the big leagues this year. In minor league action, Stewart is 5-6 with a 4.20 ERA in 100.2 innings during 17 starts. He has tallied 79 strikeouts and allowed 27 walks. 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)
- Kieschnick hit safely in five of seven games last week while also hitting his 13th home run of the season last Saturday. He posted a pair of multi-hit games last week while going 2-for-5 with a double and RBI on Thursday and then going 2-for-3 with two RBI on Sunday. This season, the Double-A All-Star, has batted .267 (104-for-390) with 63 runs, 20 doubles, four triples and has driven in 57 runs. He is also 13-for-20 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, who looks to be destined for a Double-A call-up in the near future, went 2-0 last week while both starts were at least seven innings. He struck out seven in back-to-back starts while improving to 9-5 on the season with a 3.74 ERA. He leads the Rockies minor-league organizations in wins, innings pitched (134.2) and strikeouts (139). In addition, Bettis has struck out at least six batters in eight of his last 10 outings while pitching in at least six innings during all of his last 10 starts. 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 made two relief outings last week while pitching a total of an inning. He retired one batter and allowed a hit last Monday and then struck out one in 0.2 innings of work last Thursday. On the year Doran is 1-3 with a 10.17 ERA in 14 appearances (11 starts) while tallying 46.0 innings with 25 strikeouts. 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 two saves during his three relief outings last week while striking out seven batters. He tallied back-to-back saves last Tuesday and Thursday. Ramos struck out four batters in a scoreless two-inning appearance in his save on Tuesday. This season Ramos is 1-3 with 19 saves while recording a 2.11 ERA in 38.1 innings. He has posted 51 strikeouts and 16 walks allowed while opposing batters are batting just .204 against him this season. 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 has hit safely in his last four games and in eight of his last 10 games overall. Richburg is batting .278 (74-for-266) this year with 35 runs, 15 doubles, one triple, nine home runs and 30 RBI in 72 games played. 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 made one scoreless relief outing last week while striking out two in 1.2 innings of work. This season Johnson is 1-1 with a 2.16 ERA in 26 relief opportunities. He has pitched 33.1 innings while allowing 22 walks with 37 strikeouts. 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
Nathan Karns (RHP - Washington Nationals - Short-Season Class A - Auburn Doubledays)
- Karns made two starts last week while striking out nine batters in 8.2 innings. Karns earned the win last Monday and took a no decision on Sunday. In Rookie League and Single-A action, Karns is 1-1 with a 1.44 ERA in 31.1 innings during eight starts. He has struck out 38 batters and allowed 21 walks. Karns has not allowed a base hit in his last three starts which is a combined 13 innings pitched. Karns pitched two years at Tech, 2008-09, and was drafted in 2009 in the 12th round by the Washington Nationals.
- Karns' Bio
Jeremy Mayo (C - Washington Nationals - Short-Season Single-A - Auburn Doubledays)
- Mayo tallied one multi-hit game last week while going 2-for-3 with an RBI last Monday. He is now batting .211 (15-for-71) with 14 runs, two doubles and three home runs with nine 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 - Short-Season Class A - Aberdeen IronBirds)
- Fowler made one relief outing last week going two-scoreless innings with two strikeouts without allowing a base hit. Fowler is 0-0 this year with a 1.80 ERA in 10.0 relief innings. He has nine strikeouts and has issued just one walk. Fowler pitched one year at Tech in 2011 and was drafted in 2011 in the 34th round by the Baltimore Orioles.
- Fowler's Bio
Robbie Kilcrease (LHP - Pittsburgh Pirates - Rookie League - Gulf Coast League Pirates)
- Kilcrease had one scoreless relief outing during his only appearance last week going two innings against the Tigers Rookie-League squad. He is now 0-2 with a 4.74 ERA in nine appearances (19.0 innings) with nine strikeouts and four walks allowed. 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 went 2-for-4 with a walk and a stolen base last Tuesday during one of his three games played on the week. He is now batting .220 (9-for-41) with four runs, one triple and two RBI with four stolen bases in four attempts. 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 batted .400 (8-for-20) last week with five runs, two doubles, one triple, two stolen bases and four RBI during five games. He enters the week coming off three consecutive multi-hit games where he has batted .500 (7-for-14). This season Tomlinson is batting .321 (26-for-81) with 14 runs, seven doubles, one triple, two home runs and 16 RBI with 6-of-8 stolen bases. 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
