Brian Sikorski
From BR Bullpen
Brian Patrick Sikorski
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 1", Weight 200 lb.
- School Western Michigan University
- High School Roseville High School
- Debut August 16, 2000
- Born July 27, 1974 in Detroit, MI USA
[edit] Biographical Information
A fourth-round pick in the 1995 amateur draft, Sikorski spent five undistinguished years working his way up through the Houston Astros organization. He was claimed by the Texas Rangers in a waiver transaction and made his major-league debut on August 16, 2000 against the New York Yankees. Sikorksi pitched a strong seven innings that night, beating the World Champions 5-0; as of 2005 he has not won another major-league game.
In 2001 Sikorski signed with the Chiba Lotte Marines but went just 1-4 with a 5.43 ERA. Surprisingly called back the next year, Brian improved to 4-6, 3.44. He struck out 102 batters in 96 2/3 innings. He continued to improve as a reliever and spot starter in his third year for the Marines, posting another 4-6 record but lowering his ERA to 3.16. Only Naoyuki Shimizu had a lower ERA for Chiba Lotte that season.
Sikorski went to the Yomiuri Giants in 2004 and was the Giants' most-used reliever, appearing in 62 games that season. He was third in the Central League in appearances on the mound and tied for 9th with 5 saves as part of a bullpen-by-committee approach for Yomiuri. Sikorski went 5-3 with a 2.67 ERA as his ERA improved for the third consecutive season. Only Koji Uehara had a lower ERA among Yomiuri pitchers with 50+ innings.
Sikorski's ERA finally rose in 2005, to 3.29, but he went 7-1 as one of the top Giants relievers and he fanned 100 batters in 87 2/3 innings. He again placed third in the Central in games pitched (70) and led the Giants in appearances. Only fellow reliever Masanori Hayashi posted a lower ERA on Yomiuri's staff (which was unimpressive as a contingent for the second straight season). Sikorski even drove in 2 runs in 3 at-bats that season, doubling in one of those trips to the plate.
After the 2005 season Yomiuri let Sikorski go (Gary Garland writes that this was due to a managerial change). He was claimed off waivers by the Rakuten Golden Eagles but the two parties could not come to a deal. Rakuten released Sikorski, who then signed with the San Diego Padres to attempt a U.S. return after five seasons in Japan. In spring training Brian went 1-0 with a 5.19 ERA and was one of San Diego's last cuts. After no team claimed him off of waivers, he was re-signed by the Padres and assigned to the AAA Portland Beavers. He completed his comeback on June 3, 2006, pitching a scoreless inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Sikorski was 2-3 with a 3.14 ERA and 7 saves in 22 games for Portland, tying for second on the club in saves. With the 2006 Padres, he had a 1-1, 5.65 record in 13 games despite striking out 14 in 14 1/3 IP.
On July 18, 2006, Sikorski was traded to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for relief pitcher Mike Adams. In 17 contests for the 2006 Indians, Brian had a 2-1, 4.58 record with 24 strikeouts and just 4 walks in 19 2/3 IP.
Sikorski started 2007 with the Buffalo Bisons, going 0-1 with 2 saves and a 3.52 ERA in 13 games. His contract was then sold to the Yakult Swallows, marking his third team in Japan. He was to replace injured Dicky Gonzalez on the active roster. He was 1-2 with a save and a 2.29 ERA in 29 games for Yakult.
Sikorski returned to Chiba Lotte for 2008, signing a one-year, 70 million yen deal. He went 5-1 with a save and a 2.23 ERA in 54 relief appearances as a setup man for Tadahiro Ogino.
