Texas Tech University Athletics
Red Raiders in the Major Leagues: Week 11 Update
August 28, 2011 | Baseball
Tomlinson has five multi-hit games over his last seven games played
Aug. 28, 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 has played in 21 games this season for Seattle while batting .203 (13-for-64) with four doubles, one homer and seven 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, took the loss in both of his starts last week against Milwaukee (8/22) and St. Louis (8/28). This season, Karstens is 9-8 with a 3.09 ERA in 24 starts. He has logged 148.1 innings with 90 strikeouts and 28 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
Zach Stewart (RHP - Starting Pitcher - Chicago White Sox)
- Stewart lost in his only outing last week with a start at Los Angeles. He went six innings allowing seven earned runs and seven hits with four strikeouts and two walks. In eight appearances this season - all at the big-league level - Stewart is 1-3 with a 4.76 ERA in six starts. He has pitched in 39.2 innings with 26 strikeouts and 12 walks allowed. 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 saw his incredible streak of five-plus inning starts come to an end last week as he went 4.2 innings while giving up six runs on 11 hits with six strikeouts and one walk allowed. Dating back to 1919, Tomlin holds the record for most consecutive starts to begin a career going at least five innings with 37. Then, just two days after his start, Tomlin was placed on the 15-day disabled list with right elbow soreness. In 26 starts this season Tomlin is 12-7 with a 4.25 ERA in 165.1 innings pitched. He has struck out 89 batters and allowed only 21 walks. 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 outings last week - both in relief - while totaling 2.1 innings with five strikeouts. This season Richardson is 4-1 with a 4.73 ERA in 44 appearances (all relief). He has logged 60 strikeouts and walked 40 batters. 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 took the loss in his most recent start (8/24) going six innings while allowing four runs on six hits with three strikeouts and did not allow a walk. This season Sampson is 8-2 with a 3.87 ERA in 17 starts (18 appearances) with 102.1 innings pitched with 53 strikeouts and 17 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 tallied three straight appearances last week without allowing an earned run. Overall, he struck out two and gave up only two base hits in his three appearances in four innings of work. This season Hynes is 2-6 with a 4.07 ERA in 63 appearances with 77.1 innings pitched. He has struck out 52 batters and walked 29. 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 safely in three of five games last week while posting a total of three base hits with an RBI. This season in 126 games played, Kieschnick is batting .255 (117-for-459) with 71 runs, 22 doubles, five triples and 16 home runs with 65 RBI. 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, fresh off his second California League Pitcher of the Week honor (8/22), received a no decision in his only start last week (8/27) while allowing four runs on six hits in five innings with seven strikeouts while not allowing a walk. This season Bettis is 12-5 with a 3.44 ERA in 26 starts. He has posted 164.2 innings with 141 hits allowed, 63 earned runs given up and has struck out 175 batters and walked 43. Bettis is among California League leaders in wins, ERA, starts, innings pitched, WHIP and strikeouts. In just his second pro season, Bettis has earned California League Pitcher of the Week twice and been selected to the California/Carolina League All-Star Game. 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 notched a scoreless relief appearance in his most recent relief opportunity (8/26) while allowing only one hit with one strikeout. Doran is 1-3 with a 9.61 ERA in 20 appearances (12 starts) with 59 innings pitched and 36 strikeouts with 29 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 posted two saves and three scoreless relief outings last week. He now has 23 saves on the season ranking third in the Florida State League. Ramos is 1-4 with a 1.85 ERA in 47 appearances. He has totaled 48.2 innings pitched with 36 hits allowed, 10 runs allowed and 68 strikeouts with 19 walks. 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 posted a pair of multi-hit games last week while hitting safely in four of five games. On Friday, Richburg went 2-for-4 with two runs scored. This season Richburg is batting .271 (86-for-317) with 41 runs, 16 doubles, one triple, 10 home runs and 40 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 tallied a save and made three scoreless appearances last week while lowering his season ERA to 2.93. He is now 1-4 in 36 outings with five saves and 46 innings pitched. He has struck out 44 batters and walked 30 on the season. 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 won his second straight outing this past week in a dominating effort with six strikeouts in six innings while giving up only one run on three hits. This season Karns is 3-2 with a 2.32 ERA in 12 starts with 50.1 innings. He has struck out 55 batters and walked 30. 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 only one game last week while going 2-for-3 with an RBI. In 37 games this season, Mayo is batting .230 (26-for-113) with 24 runs, six doubles, five home runs and 17 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 had a streak of 12 consecutive scoreless innings snapped last Thursday - which was his only outing of the week. Fowler allowed three runs on two hits in three innings while allowing two walks and striking out one in his three-inning appearance. Fowler is now 1-0 with a 1.64 ERA in 14 appearances with 22 innings pitched. He has struck out 17 batters and allowed just four walks on the season. 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 has now pitched in five contests at the Short-Season A level without allowing a run. He made two outings last week where he totaled 2.1 innings without allowing a run. This season - in both Rookie League and Short-Season A - Kilcrease is 1-2 with a 2.93 ERA in 17 appearances. He has tallied 30.2 innings with 23 strikeouts and nine 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 two games last week and is now hitting .200 (12-for-60) on the season. He has scored six runs and has two extra-base hits (one double, on triple) with four RBI on the season. 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 remained on fire as he is coming off back-to-back three-hit performances. On Thursday, Tomlinson went 3-for-7 with a triple and four RBI. On Saturday, Tomlinson went 3-for-5 with two runs and an RBI. In 36 games Tomlinson is batting .348 (48-for-138) with 30 runs, 10 doubles, five triples, two home runs and 26 RBI. He is also 8-of-10 in stolen base opportunities. In his last 10 games, Tomlinson is batting .391 (18-for-46) with 14 runs, three doubles, three triples, four walks, two stolen bases and seven RBI. 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
