Joaquin Antonio Benoit...Pronounced Wah-KEEN Ben-WAH...Has one daughter, Jacklyn...Won the 2010 Tony Conigliaro Award, an honor presented each year to a major league player who has overcome adversity through the attributes of spirit, determination and courage.
2017
Spent the season with the Philadelphia Phillies and Pittsburgh Pirates...With the Phillies, he struck out more than a batter per inning (43 SO/42.0 IP) while posting a 4.07 ERA in 44 games out of Philadelphia's bullpen...He recorded 12 holds and converted two saves...He was acquired by Pittsburgh at the non-waiver trade deadline and appeared in eight games through the end of the season (0-2, 7.56 ERA).
2016
Began the season with SEA...Earned the win in his Mariners debut, 4/6 at TEX...Went 1-0, 2.70 ERA (3 ER, 10.0 IP) with 10 SO over his first 10 games...Was on the 15-day DL with right shoulder inflammation, 4/22-5/16...Allowed 13 R (11 ER) over 15 appearances from 6/7-7/19...Was traded to TOR on 7/26...Posted a 0.38 ERA (1 ER, 23.2 IP) in 25 appearances for the Blue Jays, tied for the lowest ERA by any ML reliever from 7/24-end of season (other: BAL's Zach Britton)...On 9/26 at NYY, suffered a tear in his left calf after coming out from the bullpen when the benches cleared in the 2nd inning...Did not appear in a postseason game
2015
Totals - Was 6-5 record with two saves and a 2.34 ERA (17 ER, 65.1 IP) over 67 relief outings for the Padres. ... Wins - His 6 wins were his most since winning 7 with Texas in 2007. ... Stingy - Limited opponents to .159/.242/.305 (36x226) line, the best opponents batting average, fifth-best opponents on-base percentage and 19th-best opponents slugging percentage amongst N.L. relievers. ... Strong Finish - In final 55 appearances (May-end of season), posted 1.99 ERA (12 ER, 54.1 IP) while limiting opponents to .149 batting average…among N.L. pitchers (min. 50.0 IP), his ERA was 10th and his opponents batting average was lowest in Majors. ... Right Is Right - Held right-handed hitters to .144/.250/.221 (15x104) line, the lowest opponents batting average and 3rd-best opponents slugging percentage of any N.L. pitcher (min. 100 RH batters faced), his .144 opponents average is 3rd in club history (Cla Meredith, 2006, .107; Heath Bell, 2009, .138) and his .221 opponents slugging percentage is fifth-best (Meredith, 2006, .170; Bell, 2009, .172; Luke Gregerson, 2009, 203). ... No-No - Held right-handed hitters hitless for 41 consecutive at-bats from May 3-July 2, the longest such streak by a pitcher during season and longest by Padres pitcher since full playby-play data started being recorded during the 1974 season. (STATS, Inc). ... Consistent - Had a 2.28 ERA (7 ER, 27.2 IP) with 30 strikeouts against in 28 games during the first half and a 2.39 ERA (10 ER, 37.2 IP) with 33 strikeouts in 39 games during first half. ... Road Warrior - Was 3-3 with 1.67 ERA (6 ER, 32.1 IP) and .143 opponents batting average on the road…8th-lowest road ERA and lowest opponents batting average by N.L. pitcher (min. 25.0 IP)…opponents average was 2nd-best in club history (D. Bochtler, .124 in 1996)
2014
Posted the second-lowest ERA of his career with a 1.49 ERA (9 ER, 54.1 IP) over 53 relief outings in his first season with the Padres, the seventh-best ERA among Major League relief pitchers and second-best in the National League...His 1.49 ERA was the fourth-best by a reliever in Padres franchise history, trailing only Cla Meredith in 2006 (1.07), Bob Miller in 1971 (1.41) and Trevor Hoffman in 1998 (1.48)...Held opponents to a .151/.212/.247 (28-for-186) line, fourth-best opponents average and second-best opponents OBP among Major League relievers…his opponents average was second-best in franchise history (Tim Worrell, 1996, .137), while his opponent OBP was third-best (Mike Adams, 2011, .197 and Cla Meredith, 2006, .207)...Recorded 11 saves in 12 opportunities (91.7%), fourth-best save percentage in the National League among closers with at least 10 save opps...having also recorded 16 holds, was one of three Major League pitchers to record 10-ormore saves and 15-or-more holds, joining Drew Storen-WSH (11 saves, 20 holds) and Joe Smith-LAA (15 saves, 18 holds)…first pitcher in Padres franchise history to record 15-or-more holds and 10-or-more saves in the same season...Worked scoreless ball in 47 of his 53 outings…had 19-straight outings and 19.0 scoreless innings pitched from 5/13-7/5, the second-longest scoreless innings streak by a Padres pitcher in 2014 (Nick Vincent, 23.1 IP, 7/23-9/12)...Posted a 0.57 ERA (1 ER, 15.2 IP) in 15 second-half appearances, third-best among Major League relievers and second-best in the National League…held opponents to a .113 average in the second half, the third-best mark among Major League relievers and the second-best in the National League, trailing only Aroldis Chapman-CIN (.107)...Posted a 3-1 record with six saves in seven opportunities with a 0.84 ERA (6 ER, 16.2 IP) in 31 home appearances and a 1-1 record with five saves in five opportunities with a 2.42 ERA (6 ER, 22.1 IP) in 22 road outings...among pitchers with at least 30.0 IP at home, his 0.84 ERA at Petco Park was the third-best mark in franchise history, behind only the 0.50 mark posted by Donne Wall in 1998 and the 0.65 mark from Luke Gregerson in 2009.
2013
Posted the second-lowest ERA of his career with a 2.01 (15 ER, 67.0 IP) while recording a career-high 24 saves in 26 chances over 66 games for the Tigers...Ranked ninth among all qualifying American League relievers in ERA, fifth in save percentage (92.3, 24 SV/26 SVO) and 10th with a .197 (47-for-238) opponent batting average...Successful on each of his first 22 save opportunities from April 17 - September 19…seventh-longest saves streak in the Majors in 2013 and third-longest among all American League relievers...Posted a 1.06 ERA (4 ER, 34.0 IP) in 31 appearances on the road while going 4-1 with 11 saves in 11 chances and a 3.00 ERA (11 ER, 33.0 IP) in 35 appearances at home...In 38 appearances before the All-Star break, went 2-0 with eight saves in eight chances, a 1.64 ERA (7 ER, 38.1 IP) and 50 strikeouts against 12 walks...Over his 43 appearances during night games, went 2-0 with 17 saves in 19 chances, a 0.63 ERA (3 ER, 43.0 IP) and 46 strikeouts against nine walks…in his 23 outings during day games, was 2-1 with seven saves in seven chances, a 4.50 ERA (12 ER, 24.0 IP) and 27 strikeouts against 23 hits.
2012
Appeared in a career-high 73 games during the 2012 season for the Tigers, tying for seventh in the American League ... Tied for sixth among all American League relievers with 84 strikeouts, while he tied for ninth with five wins ... Fanned a season-high three batters on April 8 versus Boston -- matched the high with three strikeouts on April 17 at
Kansas City, April 26 versus Seattle and August 31 versus the Chicago White Sox ... Surrendered just an unearned run over a 13-outing stretch May 31-June 28 -- fanned 13 batters in 14.0 innings during
that stretch ... Posted a 2.19 ERA (12.1IP/3ER) and 17 strikeouts in 13 outings during May ... Compiled a 1.26 ERA (14.1IP/2ER) and 13 strikeouts in 13 appearances during June ... Did not allow a run in 10 straight outings August 15-September 5, fanning 12 batters in nine scoreless innings ... Matched a career high with a four-game winning streak August 17-September 27 ... Posted a 5-2 record and 2.70 ERA (43.1IP/13ER) in 42 outings at home...compiled a 0-1 record and 5.20 ERA
(27.2IP/16ER) in 31 appearances on the road ... Finished 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA (40.0IP/10ER) in 40 appearances prior to the all-star break...went 4-2 with a 5.52 ERA
(31.0IP/19ER) in 33 outings following the all-star break.
2011
Completed his first season with the Tigers in 2011 after signing with the club during the off-season -- appeared in 66
games with Detroit, serving as the club's set-up man...Compiled a 0.93 ERA (9.2IP/1ER) over his first 10 outings of the season April 2-22...Struggled during a six-outing stretch April 27-May 16, posting a 1-3 record and 21.60 ERA (5.0IP/12ER)...Fanned a season-best three batters on May 11 at Minnesota -- equaled the best with three strikeouts on August 25 at
Tampa Bay, August 30 at Kansas City, September 23 versus Baltimore and September 27 versus Cleveland...Compiled a 3-0 record, 1.36 ERA (46.1IP/7ER), two saves and 52 strikeouts over his final 50 outings of the season
May 20-September 27...limited opponents to a .168 batting average (26x155) during that stretch...Recorded a three-game winning streak June 27-August 30...Posted a 1.17 ERA (7.2IP/1ER) in nine appearances during July...Did not allow a run over his final 22 outings of the season August 3-September 27, fanning 28 batters in 22.0
scoreless innings...Tossed a season-high two innings of relief on August 9 at Cleveland -- matched the high by working two innings of relief
on August 30 versus Kansas City...Compiled a 2-0 record and 1.80 ERA (15.0IP/3ER) in 14 outings during August...Made the 400th appearance of his career on September 23 versus Baltimore...Held righthanded hitters to a .184 batting average (19x103)...lefties batted .248 (28x113) against him...Recorded a 3.55 ERA (33.0IP/13ER) in 36 appearances at home...compiled a 2.25 ERA (28.0IP/7ER) in 30 outings on
the road...Posted a 2-3 record and 4.24 ERA (34.0IP/16ER) in 39 appearances prior to the all-star break...finished 2-0 with a 1.33
ERA (27.0IP/4ER) in 27 appearances following the all-star break.
2010
Topped all American League relievers with a 1.34 ERA after signing with the Tampa Bay Rays as a minor league free
agent on February 15, 2010 ... Led all American League relievers with a .147 batting average against, 4.48 hits per nine innings and 6.12 baserunners
per nine innings, while he finished second with 1.64 walks per nine innings and 6.82 strikeouts per walk, third with 11.19
strikeouts per nine innings and fifth with 75 strikeouts ... Assigned to Triple A Durham to begin the season -- appeared in eight games with Durham before he had his contract
purchased by Tampa Bay on April 29 ... Did not allow a run in his first 13 outings of the season with Tampa Bay April 29-June 5, fanning 16 batters in 12.0
scoreless innings ... Struck out a season-high five batters on May 17 versus Cleveland ... Compiled a 0.69 ERA (13.0IP/1ER) over his final 13 outings of the season August 29-October 3 ... Posted a 0.65 ERA (27.2IP/2ER) in 29 outings prior to the all-star break...compiled a 1.93 ERA (32.2IP/7ER) in 34
appearances following the all-star break.
2009
Missed the entire season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn right
rotator cuff on Jan 27, performed by Dr. Timothy Kremchek in Cincinnati.
2008
After missing all of 2007, Bannister combined to go 5-6 with a 4.36 ERA (43 ER/88.2 IP) in 30 games/12 starts for Bakersfield
(High-A) and Frisco (AA)...had 66 strikeouts against 51 walks, as opposing batters hit .267 (89-333)...went 2-6, 4.99 (32 ER/57.2 IP)
over 12 starts, but was 3-0 with 3 saves and a 3.19 ERA (11 ER/31.0 IP) in 18 relief appearances after making the switch in
June...had 43 BB/45 SO as a starter, 8 BB/21 SO in relief...opponents hit .277 (61-220) in his starts, .248 (28-113) out of the
bullpen...began the year with 3 starts in Bakersfield, then made 3 starts with Frisco in his Double-A debut after a promotion in late
April...made 6 more starts at Bakersfield after moving back there in early May, going 0-4 in those outings, then did not pitch from
June 7-28 before a move to the bullpen...pitched for Surprise Rafters in the Arizona Fall League after the season...was added to the
40-man roster on Nov. 20 as protection from Rule 5 Draft.
2007
Posted what was easily the lowest ERA of his career, going 7-4 with
a 2.85 mark (26 ER/82.0 IP) in a career-high 70 relief appearances for
Texas...named Rangers Pitcher of the Year by Dallas-Fort Worth chapter of
the BBWAA...his 70 appearances and 82.0 innings was the most by a Texas
pitcher since Francisco Cordero (73 G, 82. IP) in 2003...ranked 15th in AL
in relief ERA (minimum 50.0 IP), as his 2.85 figure was 5th-lowest figure by
a Texas reliever in the last 8 seasons beginning in 2000...it was the lowest
ERA by a Rangers reliever with at least 80.0 innings since Jeff Zimmerman's
2.36 figure (23 ER/87.2 IP) in 1999...it was the 8th-lowest ERA in team history
for a reliever with at least 80.0 innings...his 87 K's was tied for the 6thhighest
total among ML relievers last year, the 2nd-highest strikeout total by
an AL reliever behind only Angels' closer Francisco Rodriguez...recorded 6
saves, this after entering the year with just one career save, that rescue
being the longest save in Major League history (7.0 IP) on Sept. 3, 2002 at
Baltimore...had career-high 19 holds, T10th-most in the AL and 2nd-most
among Rangers...finished 22 games, more than doubling his previous
career total...allowed 6 of 20 (30.0%) inherited runners to score...lefties hit
just .172 (23-134), right-handers at .268 (45-168)...first batters had a .221
(15-68) average with just 2 walks and 21 K's...went 1-1, 0.89 (2 ER/20.1 IP)
in 16 games vs. AL Central clubs...had a 10.80 ERA (8 ER/6.2 IP) over his
first 7 outings through April 20, then posted a 1.07 mark (3 ER/25.1 IP) in
next 20 appearances from April 21-June 9...allowed 4 runs in next game on
June 13 at Pittsburgh, but, beginning June 15, had a 2.06 figure (11 ER/48.0
IP) in his last 42 outings to drop final ERA over a full run from 3.93 to
2.85...tossed 16.0 scoreless innings over 13 appearances in the month of
August, when opponents batted .130 (7-54)...allowed more than 2 runs on
just 2 occasions all season, April 20 vs. Oakland (6 runs) and June 13 at
Pittsburgh (4 runs)...pitched a season-high 3.0 innings on June 9 vs. Milwaukee...in 10 outings of 2.0 or more innings, had a 1.64
ERA (4 ER/22.0 IP)...recorded just his 2nd career save on April 28 at Toronto, his first save in over 4 years.
2006
Over his last 14 games, he allowed 8 runs in 22 1/3 IP (3.23 ERA) with 23 strikeouts and 7 walks...recorded at least one strikeout in 17 of his last 22 games and has 43 total during that stretch, beginning July 20...his 56 appearances were a career-high (32 in 2005 was previous high) and he also recorded a career-high 7 holds...was 10 strikeouts away from career-high 95 set in '04...was seventh among AL relievers with 85 strikeouts and his strikeouts per nine innings were 14th among AL relievers...allowed 22.7 percent of inherited runners to score this season (10-44), seventh among American League relievers...his 79 2/3 innings were the ninth most by an American League reliever.
2005
Made a career-high 32 appearances for Texas in 2005, going 4-4,
3.72 (36 ER/87.0 IP) with 78 strikeouts...was 2-4, 5.96 (30 ER/45.1
IP) in 9 starts and 2-0, 1.30 (6 ER/41.2 IP) in 23 relief appearances...
held opposing batters to a .139 (20-144) average in 23
relief appearances, best among all qualifying major league relievers...
is 14-19 with a 6.06 ERA (185 ER/274.2 IP) in 55 career starts
and 5-0 with a 2.95 ERA (36 ER/110.0 IP) in 48 career relief appearances.
Summary: Began the season on the disabled list with right shoulder
tendinitis...activated on May 1 after rehab stints at extended
spring training and with Oklahoma (AAA)...made 3 appearances for
the RedHawks, going 0-1, 5.40 (3 ER/5.0 IP)...took the mound for
first appearance of the season on May 4 at Oakland, but did not
pitch, as game was delayed and subsequently called due to
rain...recorded an 0.69 ERA (2 ER/26.0 IP) in first 11 appearances
of the season, all in relief, from May 6-July 15...on 15-day disabled
list from June 12-28 with right elbow tendinitis...made one rehab
appearance for the Arizona Rangers, recording 4 strikeouts in 2.0
scoreless innings on June 24 against the AZL Mariners...went 2-4,
6.13 (32 ER/47.0 IP) over 10 games/9 starts from July 20-
September 3 to raise ERA to season-high 4.19...was 1-0, 1.29 (2
ER/14.0 IP) in final 11 relief appearances to lower ERA to
3.72...recorded 14.0 consecutive scoreless innings over parts of 9
outings from May 6-July 1...made first start of the season on July 20
at New York (AL), allowing 6 runs in 5.0 innings to take the
loss...recorded a strikeout against each of the game's first 4 batters...
tossed 5.0 scoreless innings to earn win in start on July 25 at
Baltimore.
Other Notes: Held opposing batters to a .212 batting average, .227
(37-163) against lefties and .196 (32-163) against righties...allowed
a run in 13 of 32 outings overall and just 5 of 23 relief appearances...
recorded 5 holds, tied for 3rd-most among Texas relievers...posted all 5 holds in consecutive outings from September 15-
25...out of bullpen, allowed 3 of 19 inherited runners to score and retired 16 of 23 first batters faced...averaged 8.07 strikeouts per
9 innings pitched, 2nd-best among Rangers hurlers with more than 10.0 IP.
2004
Joaquin made 28 appearances for Texas this season, 15 starts and 13 relief outings...ranked 3rd on the club with 95 strikeouts...5.68 ERA ranked as the 3rd-highest in AL among pitchers with at least 100.0 innings pitched.
Summary: Began the year with 2 relief appearances, allowing 5 earned runs in 4.2 innings...entered rotation on April 24 and permitted just 2 runs in 13.0 innings over first 2 starts, dropping ERA from 9.64 to season low 3.57...posted 7.36 ERA (21 ER/25.2 IP) over next 5 starts to raise ERA to 5.82...allowed one run in 2.0-inning relief appearance on June 13 vs. St. Louis...over ensuing 6 starts from June 19-July 19, went 1-3 with an 8.58 ERA (27 ER/28.1 IP) and was dropped from rotation following stint on the bereavement list...posted 1.26 ERA (2 ER/14.1 IP) over 6 relief outings from July 27-Aug. 12 to lower season figure from 6.84 to 5.93...permitted 4 runs in 1.2 innings on Aug. 22 at Kansas City, including Calvin Pickering's 2nd homer of the game...tossed 5.0 shutout innings over final 3 relief outings, including 3.0 scoreless frames in final appearance on Sept. 28 vs. Anaheim...made emergency start on Sept. 18 at Anaheim, tossing 4.0 shutout innings in place of ailing Juan Dominguez...had 2.03 ERA (3 ER/13.1 IP) in Sept., dropping season figure from 6.22 to 5.68.
Went 3-5, 6.33 in 15 starts with no record and 3.90 ERA in 13 relief outings...made starts on Sept. 18 at Anaheim and Sept. 24 vs. Seattle, but 10 of final 12 appearances were in relief...out of bullpen, permitted just 2 of 10 inherited runners to score...first batters hit .250 (3-12)...pitched at least 5.0 innings in each of first 5 starts, but in just 3 of last 10 starts...had 3 quality starts.
Other Notes: Made Opening Day roster and spent entire year with Texas, both career firsts...worked season high 7.0 innings on May 1 (G2) vs. Boston...recorded season high 7 K's twice, May 7 vs. Detroit and June 19 at Florida...picked up first win of the season on May 1 vs. Boston (G2)...earned a no decision despite 6.0 scoreless innings in first start, April 24 vs. Seattle...overall, opponents batted .279, .249 (52-209) by left-handers and .311 (61-196) by righthanders...was on the disabled list from Aug. 24-Sept. 7 with right rotator cuff irritation...was on bereavement list from July 20-25 after his grandmother passed away in the Dominican Republic...issued season high 4 walks in July 19 start, final outing before taking bereavement leave.
2003
Ranked fourth on the Texas staff in starts (17), tied for fourth in wins (8), and was fifth in innings (105.0) and strikeouts (87)...5-5, 5.55 (51 ER/82.2 IP) in 17 starts and 3-0, 5.24 (13 ER/22.1 IP) in 8 relief appearances and won 5 of 6 decisions after the All-Star break...recalled from Oklahoma (AAA) on May 2...no decisions in first 2 starts (7 ER/10.1 IP) before earning first major league relief win on May 11 vs. Cleveland...1-2, 5.85 (13 ER/20 IP) in next 4 starts before going on 15-day DL on June 5 (retroactive to May 31) with right elbow inflammation...made a rehab start with Oklahoma on June 17 and was activated on June 22...4-3, 4.79 (30 ER/56.1 IP) in first 10 games (9 starts) after returning through August 7...issued 10 runs in 6.1 innings in last 2 starts of that stretch and went to the bullpen in mid-August...went 2-0, 5.89 (12 ER/18.1 IP) in 6 relief outings before allowing 2 runs in 8 innings over 2 starts to end the season...after losing on July 24 vs. Anaheim, won his final 3 decisions, his longest career winning streak...worked a season-high 7 innings 3 times, including 7 scoreless frames on July 28 at Seattle...pitched 5 hitless innings in that start before Ichiro Suzuki's leadoff single in the sixth...fanned a career best 8 batters twice - May 20 vs. Tampa Bay and June 22 against Houston...opponents hit just .246, lowest of any Texas pitcher with 100 or more innings, .222 (47-212) vs. left-handers and .272 (52-191) against right-handers...Rangers were 8-9 in his 17 starts...had the 2 longest relief appearances by a Ranger in 2003 - 5 innings on August 11 vs. Detroit and 4.2 innings on August 27 at Kansas City...pitched in 4 games for Aguilas in the Dominican Winter League.
2002
Went 4-5, 6.11 (45 ER/66.1 IP) in 13 starts with a 2.45 ERA (5 ER/18.1 IP) in 4 relief appearances in 5 different stints with Texas, most of any player... pitched 7 innings to record the longest save in major league history on September 3 at Baltimore...starter Aaron Myette was ejected 2 pitches into the game and replaced by Todd Van Poppel, who worked 2 hitless innings while Rangers took a 4-0 lead...after entering game in third, held Orioles hitless until Jerry Hairston's leadoff triple in the ninth...allowed one hit and one run in the 7 inning-stint in a 7-1 victory...was the ninth time that the Rangers pitching had ever taken a no-hitter into the ninth inning...previous major league record for longest save was 6 innings by Texas' Horacio Pina on April 23, 1972 at California...issued 2 or fewer runs in 7 of 13 starts while working at least 6 innings on 5 occasions...longest outing was 7.1 frames on August 7 in Detroit...opponents batted .272, ninth lowest among AL rookies, .275 (47-171) by left-handed hitters and .268 (44-164) by right-handers...3-2, 6.57 (28 ER/38.1 IP) in 9 games (6 starts) at home and 1-3, 4.27 (22 ER/46.1 IP) in 8 games (7 starts) on the road...8-4, 3.39 in 17 starts at Oklahoma (AAA) and Port Charlotte (A), the ninth-lowest ERA in the Texas organization (92 or more IP)...tied for team lead in wins (8) and ranked third in strikeouts (103) with the RedHawks...fanned 9.4 batters every 9 innings...Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week, June 10-16...opponents batted just .204 (74-363), .201 against left-handers...6-1, 2.15 in 7 starts at Oklahoma...started for Port Charlotte during Triple-A All-Star break, hurling 5 shutout innings with 8 strikeouts in no decision on July 10 against Lakeland...recalled from Oklahoma on May 9 and recorded his first major league victory in a start against Chicago that night (6 IP, 4 H, 1 R-ER) while subbing for injured Ismael Valdes (stiff back)...returned to RedHawks on May 11 and was recalled on June 4...pitched 4 innings in relief on June 7 against Atlanta, returning to Oklahoma the following day...joined the Rangers to start first game of doubleheader on June 24 against Anaheim, allowing 3 runs in 5 innings to earn victory...optioned to Oklahoma after that game...rejoined Texas for a fourth time to make a spot start in opener of doubleheader on July 15 at Kansas City, an 8-6 loss (5 IP, 2 H, 5 R-ER)...sent to Oklahoma on July 16 before returning for remainder of year on July 29...allowed 2 runs in 7.1 innings in 2 relief outings before entering rotation on August 13...went 2-3, 5.97 (38 ER/57.1 IP) in 11 games (10 starts) over final 6 weeks...pitched for Aguilas in the Dominican Republic, going 3-0, 1.93 in 4 starts.
2001
Combined to go 10-5, 4.07 (69 ER/152.2 IP) with 165 strikeouts in 28 starts at Tulsa (AA) and Oklahoma...second among Rangers minor leaguers in strikeouts and tied for third in wins...fanned 9.73 batters per 9 innings...began the year at Tulsa before being promoted to Oklahoma on April 22...led the RedHawks in strikeouts (142), tied for first in starts (24) and was second in wins (9) and innings (131)...won season's final 3 outings with 1.17 ERA (3 ER/23 IP), including 3-hit complete game shutout with 12 strikeouts, September 3 vs. Memphis...PCL opponents hit .234 (113-483), .216 (58-268) by right-handed batters...recalled by Texas on August 8 and made major league debut in start that night versus Detroit, earning a no decision in 19-6 Rangers loss (5 IP, 8 H, 6 R-ER)...left game at 6-6...Tigers starter Nate Cornejo was also making major league debut, the first time that opposing starters were both pitching in first big league game since Minnesota's Paul Abbott faced Kansas City's Jim M. Campbell on August 21, 1990...first time that had ever occurred in Washington/Texas franchise history...optioned back to Oklahoma the following day...pitched for Aguilas in Dominican winter league where he went 5-0, 2.37 in 10 games, tying for the league lead in wins and posting the second lowest ERA.
2000
Was 4th on Tulsa staff in starts (16) and posting 3rd lowest era (3.83) among all Drillers pitchers with at least 50 innings...Was bothered by right elbow trouble early in the season, lasting just 6.2 total innings in his 1st 2 starts and was on disabled list from April 29-June 21...Was 4-3, 3.50 (29 er/74.2 ip) in 13 starts the rest of the year...Pitched for Grand Canyon in Arizona Fall League, going 2-2, 1.91 (7 er/33 ip) in 8 games/7 starts...Was voted as league's top righthanded starting prospect in vote of AFL managers and coaches...Went on to pitch for Aguilas in Dominican Winter League.
1999
Spent entire season with Charlotte...Started 22 games, tying a team-high...Ranked 2nd on the club in strikeouts (83), was 3rd in ip (105.0) and tied for 3rd in wins (7)...Surrendered 5 home runs...Was 2-2, 4.47 (4.47, 23 er/46.1 ip) at home and 5-2, 5.98 (39 er/58.2 ip) on the road...Opponents batted .284 (117-412)...Pitched into the 6th inning 10 times and into the 7th on 3 occasions...Was 0-1 in 1st 3 games, then put together a season high 6-game winning streak, April 27-May 29, pitching into the 6th inning in every outing with a 3.53 era (17 er/43.1 ip)...Fanned a season-best 10 hitters, including 4 in the 6th, on May 29 vs. Kissimmee...Finished May 5-0, 3.86 (16 er/37.1 ip)...From June 3 until Aug. 24, earned no-decisions in 8 of 10 games, losing twice...Failed to last past the 4th inning in 7 of 10 outings, posting a 6.28 era (27 er/38.2 ip) in that stretch...Had final victory on Aug. 30 vs. St. Petersburg, allowing 4 er in 6.0 innings.
1998
Made 15 starts with Savannah before season was cut short due to an ulnar collateral ligament strain in his right elbow...Was shutdown for the season on Aug. 4, but did not require surgery..Was 2nd on the club in era (3.83) among pitchers who appeared in at least 10 games and was the best among all starters...Opponents hit .252 (79-314)...Pitched into the 6th inning in 9 of 15 starts and went beyond the 6th in 4 outings...After losing 1st game, went 4-0, 2.34 (13 er/50.0 ip) in 8 games, Apr. 10-May 15...In final 6 contests, went 0-2, 5.40 (15 er/25.0 ip).
1997
Was voted the 8th-best prospect in the rookie Gulf Coast League by Baseball America in 1997 for the Rangers...Would have ranked 5th in the league in era, but fell 4 innings short of the minimum 48.0 required to qualify...Started 10 games, tying the team high...Did not allow a home run all season...Issued 2 or fewer er in 9 of 10 starts...Pitched 8 shutout innings for a 1-0 victory over the Royals in the GCL semifinal playoffs...Played in the Dominican Summer League in 1996...Ranked 2nd on the team, and 17th in the league, with a 2.28 era (19 er/75 ip).