Lou Pote

From BR Bullpen

Louis William Pote

Bats Right, Throws Right
Height 6' 3", Weight 200 lb.
School Kishwaukee College
Debut August 11, 1999
Born August 21, 1971 in Evergreen Park, IL USA

[edit] Biographical Information

Lou Pote pitched five seasons in the major leagues in 1999-2002 and 2004. He was in Japan in 2003. In 2005-06 he pitched in the minor league organization of the Texas Rangers.

Pote attended Kishwaukee College. He was originally drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 29th round in 1990. He was in the Giant's system from 1991 through part of 1995, never getting past Double A but pitching pretty well in parts of four seasons at Shreveport. He was traded in 1995 to the Montreal Expos organization, where he spent parts of two seasons at Double A Harrisburg and was then released at the start of the 1997 season.

The St. Louis Cardinals signed him in August of 1997, and he pitched 7 games for Double A Arkansas, with a 1.54 ERA. However, the Cardinals then released him.

The California Angels signed him and put him at Double A Midland in 1998, and then in 1999 gave him his first shot at both Triple A ball and the majors. He appeared in 20 games with the Angels, with an ERA of 2.15. The next season, 2000, he had 12 saves with Edmonton of the PCL, but pitched more games at the major league level, appearing 32 times with a 3.40 ERA. The next year, 2001, he was up the entire season and appeared in 44 games.

In 2002 he was again up for most of the year, appearing in 31 games with an ERA of 3.22. He was released in January 2003.

He spent 2003 in Japan, pitching for the Hanshin Tigers as well as for one of their farm clubs.

The St. Louis Cardinals signed him in January 2004, sent him to the Oakland Athletics affiliate at Sacramento, and in May he was purchased by the Cleveland Indians, who put him into a couple major league games. He was granted free agency in June and the San Diego Padres signed him and put him in the PCL for a few games. He was granted free agency after the season and signed by the Texas Rangers. In 2005 and 2006, he has appeared at all levels of the Rangers minor league organization, including Single A, Double A, Triple A, and even one game in the Rookie Leagues.