Texas Tech University Athletics
Red Raiders in the Major Leagues: Week 9 Update
August 15, 2011 | Baseball
Josh Tomlin improved to 12-5 with a win last Saturday over Minnesota
Aug. 15, 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 one start last week (8/13) going 0-for-3 at Los Angeles. This season, in 16 games with Seattle, Bard is hitting .212 (11-for-52) with four doubles, one homer and six RBI. Bard was a three-time All-America 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, picked up his ninth win of the year on Wednesday going six innings with nine strikeouts without allowing a walk and giving up two earned runs on eight hits. This season, Karstens is 9-6 with a 3.04 ERA in 21 starts (25 appearances) with 136.0 innings, 80 strikeouts and 25 walks allowed. He is scheduled to make his next start on Tuesday, Aug. 16, at home against St. Louis (6:05 p.m. CT). 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
Zach Stewart (RHP - Starting Pitcher - Chicago White Sox)
- Stewart took the loss in his second outing (8/12) as a member of the White Sox, despite notching yet another quality start at home against the Royals. Stewart took the loss against Kansas City after going 6.1 innings with three strikeouts and two walks allowed while yielding two runs on seven hits. This season, Stewart is 1-2 with a 3.68 ERA in five starts (29.1 innings). He has struck out 15 batters while allowing eight 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
Josh Tomlin (RHP - Starting Pitcher - Cleveland Indians)
- Tomlin won his 12th game on Saturday in a 6.1 inning performance against Minnesota with two strikeouts and four hits allowed while giving up one earned run on four hits. Tomlin is 12-5 this season with a 3.97 ERA (24 starts) in 154.0 innings with 81 strikeouts and 20 walks allowed. Tomlin has now gone 36 consecutive starts (spanning entire career) pitching at least 5.0 innings, which is an MLB record for the most consecutive 5.0 inning starts to begin an MLB career. 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 came out of the bullpen twice last week, posting a total of 1.1 innings with two strikeouts without allowing a run. Richardson is 3-1 this season with a 3.98 ERA in 41 appearances with 52.0 innings pitched. He has tallied 52 strikeouts and 36 walks allowed. 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 struggled last week with an 0-1 record while allowing seven runs in 6.1 innings during two starts. This season he is 7-1 with a 4.03 ERA in 15 starts while tossing 89.1 innings with 44 strikeouts and 16 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 two relief appearances last week pitching a total of three innings with three runs allowed on six hits with one strikeout. This season Hynes is 2-6 with a 4.24 ERA in 70 innings while appearing in 56 contests. Hynes has 50 strikeouts and 28 walks allowed this season. Hynes pitched two seasons at Tech, 2006-07, and was drafted in 2007 in the 31st round by the San Diego Padres.
- Hynes' Bio
Roger Kieschnick (RF - San Francisco Giants - Double-A - Richmond Flying Squirrels)
- Kieschnick hit his 15th home run of the season last week and also drove in two runs. He is now batting .260 (112-for-430) with 68 runs, 22 doubles, five triples, 15 home runs and 62 RBI with 13-of-20 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 took a no decision in his last start (8/11) despite going six innings and allowing one earned run with five strikeouts. He is now 6-1 with a 2.44 ERA and 68 strikeouts during his last 10 starts - dating back to June 16. On the season, Bettis is 10-5 with a 3.53 ERA in 23 starts with 147.2 innings pitched. He has tallied 154 strikeouts and has allowed 41 walks. 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 appearances last week - both in relief - while pitching a total of two innings and striking out two. Doran didn't receive a decision in either outing. This season, Doran is 1-3 with a 10.40 ERA in 18 appearances (12 starts) with 53.2 innings pitched. He has struck out 32 batters and walked 28. 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 came out of the bullpen twice last week while pitching in three innings and striking out five batters while allowing one run on four hits. This season, Ramos is 1-4 with a 2.11 ERA in 41 appearances - all relief - with 42.2 innings with 59 strikeouts and 18 walks allowed. Ramos is among Florida State League leaders with 20 saves. 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 returned from the disabled list on Sunday (went on DL on Aug. 3) while going 0-for-3 in his first game played since July 31. He is now batting .275 (74-for-269) with 35 runs, 15 doubles, one triple, nine home runs and 30 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 made one relief appearance last week going 0.2 innings while giving up four earned runs on five hits with one strikeout and one walk allowed. This year Johnson is 1-4 with a 3.15 ERA in 30 relief outings. He has two saves in 40.0 innings with 42 strikeouts and 26 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
Nathan Karns (RHP - Washington Nationals - Short-Season Class A - Auburn Doubledays)
- Karns made one start last week while striking out five in 3.2 innings in a no decision (allowed 2 runs, 3 hits). He is 1-2 this season with a 2.75 ERA in 39.1 innings with 45 strikeouts and 28 walks allowed. 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 played in four games last week while hitting safely in two. He went 2-for-12 on the week with four walks. This season - in Rookie League and Short-Season A - Mayo is batting .218 (22-for-101) with five doubles, five home runs and 14 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 two scoreless relief outings last week - both of which were two-inning appearances. He hasn't allowed an earned run since July 19 - which gives him 8.1 scoreless innings entering this week. He is now 1-0 this year (Rookie League and Short-Season A) with a 1.17 ERA in 15.1 innings with 15 strikeouts and one walk allowed. 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 - Short-Season Class A - State College Spikes)
- Kilcrease was promoted to Short-Season A, State College Spikes last week. In two relief outings as the Short-Season A level, Kilcrease has yet to allow a base hit or a run with 2.1 scoreless innings with three strikeouts and zero walks allowed. This year, Kilcrease is 1-2 with a 3.42 ERA in 14 games (all relief) with 26.1 innings pitched and 21 strikeouts with seven 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 played in a pair of games last week, including his most recent game going 1-for-4 with an RBI (8/13). Popescu is batting .208 (11-for-53) in his professional debut season with one triple and three RBI. 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 played in one game last week going 1-for-1 with a run scored on Tuesday. This year, Tomlinson is batting .326 (30-for-92) with 16 runs, seven doubles, two triples, two home runs and 19 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
