Mark Worrell #41

Mark R. Worrell...attended Florida International University where he was predominantly a starting pitcher...signed by Cardinals scout Steve Turco...was a member of the Gold Medel-winning USA Junior National Team in 2001...the team also consisted of current Major Leaguers Jeff Francoeur, Huston Street and B.J. Upton.

2011

Had contract selected from Triple-A Norfolk, July 18...Made four appearances with the O's before being optioned back to the Tides, July 26...Cleared waivers and was outrighted to Norfolk, July 29...Allowed 3ER without retiring a batter in his O's debut, July 18 vs. BOS...Set season-highs with 1.0 scoreless IP and 2K, July 20 vs. BOS...Allowed 5ER in his last O's appearance, July 24 vs. LAA (0.2IP)...Was 1-6 with 21 saves and a 3.42 ERA (52.2IP, 20ER) in 52 games for the Tides...Pitched season-high 2.0 innings twice for the Tides; April 23 vs. Durham and July 31 vs. Columbus...Pitched to a 2.67 ERA (27.0IP, 8ER) in 26 home games with Norfolk...Had a 0.93 ERA (9.2IP, ER) in 10 June games for the Tides.

2009

Missed the entire season after undergoing Tommy John Surgery 3/25 to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.

2008

Spent the majority of the season with Triple-A Memphis, also making his Major League debut as part of a four-game stint with the Cardinals...Fanned 80 at Memphis...averaged 12.27 strikeouts per 9.0 innings pitched (58.2 IP)...Ended the season at Triple-A with a season-high 12.2 scoreless inning streak from 8/5-9/1...Was recalled to STL prior to 6/1 game and made his ML debut on 6/3 at WSH, pitching a scoreless frame...Recorded his first Big League plate appearance in the second game of a doubleheader 6/5 at WSH...belted a three-run home run for his Big League hit...Optioned to Triple-A on 6/14.

2007

Spent the entire season at Triple-A Memphis, making 50 relief appearances...Gained All-Star recognition in his first full season at Triple-A...Finished second on the team in games pitched, one behind Brian Falkenborg...Fanned 66 batters in his 67.0 innings of work...Opponents hit .236 off him, including a .188 mark with runners in scoring position...held right-handed batters to a .208 average (32-for-154).

2006

The closer followed up a spectacular '05 season with a solid campaign at Double-A Springfield and led his league in saves and games finished for the second consecutive year...His 27 saves and 51 games finished led the Texas League and were 2nd-most among Cardinals minor leaguers...Selected to the Texas League All-Star Game and pitched a scoreless inning for the North in the game on 6/20 at Arkansas...Named Cardinals Minor League Pitcher of the Month for July when he allowed just one earned run in 17.2 innings (0.51 ERA) spanning 13 appearances...He walked three and struck out 22 over this span while recording six saves...Held right-handed batters to a .198 batting average, fanning 54-of-147 faced; lefties batted .263 off of him...Averaged 10.95 strikeouts per nine innings, 2nd-best among Texas League relievers...His baserunners/9 innings ratio ranked 4th among league relievers at 10.65...Pitched a season-high 2.0 innings on six occasions and an inning or more 11 times...Did not allow an earned run in 12 straight outings from 6/30-7/25 (15.2 IP)...Entered August with a 3.16 ERA (51.1 IP / 18 ER) that grew to a season-ending 4.52 ERA due to allowing 13 runs in 10.1 innings spanning 11 outings in the season's final month.

2005

An impressive season at Palm Beach (A) culminated in being named Cardinals Minor League Pitcher of the Year....was the overall winner of Minor League Baseball's Rolaids Relief Man Award...led all of minor league baseball with 35 saves...he was three saves shy of the Florida State League record of 38 saves and one shy of the Cardinals minor league record of 36...posted saves in a season-high nine straight appearances from 5/16-6/2...allowed just one earned run in his final 20 outings (19.1 IP)...went 1-1 with three saves and a 2.70 ERA during the FSL playoffs and was the winning pitcher in Game 5 of the Championship Series, allowing one run in 2.1 innings of work...pitched for Mazatlan in the Mexican Pacific Winter League and allowed one run in 11.2 innings (0.77 ERA) spanning 13 outings...fanned 10 and walked one at Mazatlan.

2004

Signed with the Cardinals on 6/29 after being selected in the 12th round of the draft...totaled 12 saves in a season split between Johnson City (Rookie) and Peoria (A)...his 12 saves were ranked T-4th in the Cards minor league system...tied for tops in the system with 13.4 strikeouts per nine innings...held opponents to a .159 batting average, 3rd-best among Cards minor leaguers.