Danny Almonte

From BR Bullpen

Danny Almonte Rojas

• Throws Left
• Height 6' 0", Weight 190 lb.

• High School James Monroe High School (New York)

• Born April 7, 1987 in Moca Dominican Republic

Danny Almonte drew notice and then controversy in the Little League World Series in 2001.

On August 18, 2001, Almonte pitched a perfect game against Apopka, FL in the first game of the Little League World Series, striking out 16 of 18. It was the first perfect game in the Series in 44 years. Three games later, he fanned 16 against Oceanside, CA. He then fanned 14 Curacao batters in his third outing to give his team a third-place spot. 12 days later, it was discovered (thanks to Sports Illustrated) that Almonte was really 14 years old, two years too old for Little League. His Raulindo Paulino All-Stars were stripped of their medals.

Almonte went on to a fairly successful high school pitching career, but went undrafted. The publicity-happy independent leagues were thrilled by this. The Southern Illinois Miners signed him for 2007. Through six starts, he is 0-1 with a 5.28 ERA, walking 19 in 30 2/3 IP.

Sources: Southern Illinois Miners web page, 2002 Baseball Almanac