D.J. Carrasco
From BR Bullpen
Daniel J. Carrasco
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 1", Weight 215 lb.
- School Chabot College, Pima Community College
- Debut April 2, 2003
- Born April 12, 1977 in Safford, AZ USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Pitcher D.J. Carrasco was selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the 26th round of the 1997 amateur draft and signed with the club late that summer. However, before he ever appeared in a pro game, he was let go by Baltimore the next summer and subsequently signed by the Cleveland Indians. He went 1-1 in 13 games with the Watertown Indians before being released after about two months. He signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1999 and spent four years in their organization. After going 4-4 with a 1.61 ERA and 29 saves with the Lynchburg Hillcats in 2002, he was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the Rule V Draft following the season.
Carrasco made the Royals Opening Day roster in 2003 and made his big league debut against the Chicago White Sox on April 2, retiring Brian Daubach, the only batter he faced. He did not give up a hit to the first 17 batters he faced in the majors, and on April 10th, he struck out 6 consecutive Detroit Tigers. He got his first big league save against the Indians on April 12th, his 26th birthday, and earned his first win versus the Tigers six days later. Overall, he was 6-5 with a 4.82 ERA in 50 appearances as a rookie.
Carrasco began 2004 with the Royals and earned the win against the White Sox on Opening Day. However, he soon struggled and was sent down to the Omaha Royals on April 24th after going 1-1 with a 5.68 ERA in 7 games. He went 2-1 with a 3.20 ERA in 32 games with Omaha before returning to Kansas City. Overall, he was 2-2 with a 4.84 ERA in 30 appearances in the majors that season.
In 2005, Carrasco was moved to the Royals rotation after spending most of his career as a reliever. He went 6-8 with a 4.79 ERA in 21 games but struggled with shoulder problems through much of the season. He was released by the Royals at the end of the year and went to go play in Japan in 2006.
Following a year in Japan, Carrasco signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He spent the entire 2007 campaign with the AAA Tucson Sidewinders, with whom he went 5-14 with a 6.68 ERA in 34 outings. In early 2008, he signed a minor league deal with the White Sox, for whom he received a non-roster invitation to spring training.
