Daniel Bard
From BR Bullpen
Daniel Paul Bard
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 4", Weight 195 lb.
- School University of North Carolina
- High School Charlotte Christian High School
- Debut May 13, 2009
- Born June 25, 1985 in Houston, TX USA
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[edit] Biographical Information
Pitcher Daniel Bard is a Boston Red Sox relief pitcher. He is known to throw his fastball in the high 90s and made his major league debut with the team in 2009. Daniel's younger brother is Luke Bard, a right-handed pitcher who was drafted by Boston in the sixteenth round of the 2009 Amateur Draft. Luke opted to stay in school and is currently pitching for Georgia Tech.
[edit] Amateur career
Bard was drafted in the 20th round of the 2003 amateur draft by the New York Yankees but did not sign. He played college ball at the University of North Carolina and posted a 23-12 record with a 3.86 ERA in three seasons there. As a freshman, he was 8-4 with a 3.88 ERA and made the Baseball America Freshman All-America second team alongside teammate Andrew Miller. He was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Freshman of the Year and made the All-Conference team, the only freshman to do so that season.
In 2005, Daniel faded to 7-5, 4.22. Bard had a 9-4, 3.64 record in his junior season. In his first start of the 2006 College World Series, he was knocked up for five runs and 12 hits. He then got the call for UNC in the finale of the Series against Oregon State University and allowed 6 hits, 3 runs (one earned) and a walk in 7 2/3 IP.
[edit] Minor league career
He was selected by the Boston Red Sox with the 28th pick in the first round of the 2006 amateur draft (compensation for the loss to free agency of Johnny Damon) and made his pro debut the following year with the Lancaster JetHawks.
Bard was 0-2 with a 10.13 ERA in 5 games for Lancaster, walking 22 and allowing 21 hits in just 13 1/3 IP. He was demoted to the Greenville Drive, where he had a 3-5, 6.42 record in 17 starts, walking almost a batter per inning. His 27 wild pitches tied Jared Hughes for third in the affiliated minors, only two shy of the lead.
Moving to the bullpen in 2008, Daniel improved. He was 1-0 with a 0.64 ERA for Greenville, giving up only 12 hits and 4 walks in 28 innings while striking out 43. Promoted to the Portland Sea Dogs, he went 4-1 with 7 saves and a 1.99 ERA. In 49 2/3 IP, he struck out 64 and gave up a .173 average. Baseball America rated him as the #9 prospect in the Eastern League, between J.P. Arencibia and Austin Jackson.
Bard opened 2009 with the Pawtucket Red Sox, going 1-0 with 6 saves and a 1.13 ERA in 11 games. He fanned 29 and allowed only 6 hits in 16 innings. He was then called up to The Show to replace Javier López on the roster.
[edit] Major leagues
Bard debuted in the majors on May 13, 2009. He relieved Hunter Jones with a 7-4 deficit in the 6th against the Angels, two on and none out. He fanned Mike Napoli on three pitches, gave up a sacrifice fly, then got Howie Kendrick on a grounder. In the 7th, he got Erick Aybar on a grounder. Chone Figgins singled, but Reggie Willits popped up. Bobby Abreu drew a full count walk, then Bard recovered to get Torii Hunter to hit into an inning-ending force. Takashi Saito replaced him on the hill. He continued to pitch out of the Bosox bullpen after that successful first stint, going 2-2, 3.65 in 49 games, then pitched three perfect innings in the ALDS as the Red Sox were swept by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
Bard began 2010 as the set-up man for Boston closer Jonathan Papelbon.
Sources: 2005-2009 Baseball Almanacs, Soxprospects.com
