Blake Hawksworth
From BR Bullpen
Blake Edward Hawksworth
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 3", Weight 195 lb.
- School Bellevue Community College
- High School Eastlake High School (Sammamish)
- Debut June 6, 2009
- Born March 1, 1983 in North Vancouver, BC Canada
[edit] Biographical Information
Blake Hawksworth reached the majors in 2009.
Hawksworth was picked by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 28th round of the 2001 amateur draft as a draft-and-follow and signed the next May by scout Dane Walker after spending a season at junior college. He spent 2002 with the Johnson City Cardinals (2-4, 3.14) and New Jersey Cardinals (1-0, 0 R in 9 2/3 IP). He was 9th in the Appalachian League in ERA.
In 2003, the right-hander pitched for the Peoria Chiefs (5-1, 2.30, 57 K in 52 2/3 IP, 0 HR, .187 average in 10 starts) and Palm Beach Cardinals (1-3, 3.94, 32 K in 32 IP, .235 average in 6 starts). He was 7th among Cardinals minor leaguers in ERA (2.91) and 6th in opponent average (.205).
The Vancouver native pitched two games for Palm Beach in 2004 (1-0, 5.91) before a right shoulder injury; he had surgery done by Lewis Yocum. In 2005, he battled more shoulder problems and went 0-3 with a 7.98 ERA and .321 opponent average in 7 games for New Jersey.
In 2006, Blake pitched for Palm Beach (7-2, 2.47, 0 HR in 83 2/3 IP) and the Springfield Cardinals (4-2, 3.39). He was named the Cardinals Minor League Pitcher of the Year. He was 2nd among Cardinals minor leaguers in ERA (2.92 behind Trey Hearne), third in wins and 5th in strikeouts (121, just 10 behind leader Jaime Garcia). He also was one of the starting pitchers in the Florida State League All-Star Game. Had he qualified in terms of innings, he would have been second to Chase Wright in the FSL in ERA.
Hawksworth struggled in 2007, making his AAA debut for the Memphis Redbirds. He went 4-13 with a 5.28 ERA, allowing a .295 average and 24 home runs in 129 2/3 IP. He tied for the most losses in both the Pacific Coast League and in the Cardinals minor league chain. The Canadian split 2008 between Memphis (5-7, 6.09) and the GCL Cardinals (2 H, 0 R in 7 IP).
He was put on Canada's provisional roster for the 2009 World Baseball Classic but did not make the final cut. He began 2009 with Memphis, going 5-4 with a 3.92 ERA. He was then called up to St. Louis to replace Jess Todd. He had a rough debut, pitching the final two innings of a 10-1 rout by the Rockies. He relieved Todd Wellemeyer in the 8th with a 6-1 deficit and retired Todd Helton, Troy Tulowitzki and Brad Hawpe in order. In the 9th, though, Ian Stewart greeted him with a double. After a strikeout, Edwin Bellorin singled. PH Ryan Spilborghs hit into a run-scoring fielder's choice that resulted in two men in scoring position. Seth Smith hit into a force at home. Clint Barmes then cracked a 3-run homer. Hawksworth walked Helton on four pitches before getting Tulowitzki on an inning-ending grounder.
[edit] Sources
- 2008 Cardinals Media Guide
- 2007-2008 Baseball Almanacs
