Mike Ballard | |
---|---|
Pitcher | |
Born: Norfolk, Virginia | February 6, 1984|
Bats: Right Throws: Left | |
CPBL debut | |
2013, for the Brother Elephants | |
Teams | |
Michael Aaron Ballard (born February 6,1984) is a former professional baseball pitcher.
Ballard went to Ocean Lakes High School,where he led the team to a second-place finish in the 2001 Virginia AAA State Tournament,setting a school record in ERA with a 0.69 ERA. He was drafted in the 50th round,1474th overall,in the 2002 MLB Draft by the Minnesota Twins,but he decided to go to the University of Virginia. [1] His 2003 season was cut short due to injury,where,in his seven starts,he had a 1.93 ERA in 7 starts. He missed all of 2004 due to injury. He was solid in 2005,where he went 8–3 with a 3.54 ERA over 15 starts. In 2005,he played collegiate summer baseball with the Orleans Cardinals of the Cape Cod Baseball League. [2] Ballard was drafted again by the Minnesota Twins,in the 47th round,1415th overall,of the 2005 Draft,but decided to stay for his senior year. His senior year was less impressive,with a 4.09 ERA,despite having a 9–3 record and two complete games. He was drafted in the 14th round,418th overall,by the Texas Rangers in the 2006 MLB Draft,and decided to sign. [3]
He started 2006 with Short-Season Spokane,where he went 2–7 with a 5.68 ERA. He started 2007 with Single-A Clinton,where he went 9-4 before earning a promotion to High-A Bakersfield. He started 2008 with Double-A Frisco,where he went 8-3 before earning a promotion to Triple-A Oklahoma. He split 2009 with Frisco and newly renamed Oklahoma City. He spent all of 2010 with Oklahoma City after earning a spring training visit. In the offseason,he signed with the Baltimore Orioles as a minor league free agent. He started the season with Triple-A Norfolk,but was demoted to Double-A Bowie after a 4.91 ERA. [4]
On July 31,2011,Ballard was called up to replace the struggling Jason Berken. [5] However,he never appeared in a game.
On December 27,2011,Ballard signed a minor league deal with the Washington Nationals with an invite to spring training. He signed with the CPBL's Brother Elephants for the 2013 season. [6]
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