Mark Kiger
From BR Bullpen
Mark Winston Kiger
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 5' 10", Weight 190 lb.
- School University of Florida
- High School La Jolla High School
- Debut October 13, 2006 (postseason)
- Born May 30, 1980 in San Diego, CA USA
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[edit] Biographical Information
Mark Kiger became the first player since Bug Holliday in 1885 to make his major league debut in the postseason. An infielder, he played in two games for the Oakland Athletics in the 2006 American League Championship Series. He was added to Oakland's roster after second baseman Mark Ellis fractured his finger and was unable to play.
[edit] Amateur career
Kiger had been picked by the Boston Red Sox in the 27th round of the 1999 amateur draft but did not sign out of high school. As a college freshman, he hit .314/?/.464 and stole 22 bases for Florida. He stole 19 while hitting .314/?/.423 as a sophomore. As a junior, the shortstop hit .403/~.516/.609, stole 11, walked 60 times in 65 games and scored 90 runs. He was second in NCAA Division I in both runs (three behind Khalil Greene) and walks (trailing Jeremy Brown. Kiger was picked by the Oakland A's in the fifth round of the 2002 amateur draft (the "Moneyball" draft).
[edit] Minors
Mark was initially assigned to the Vancouver Canadians, where he hit .244/.346/.362 while moving to second base. He led Northwest League second basemen in fielding percentage (.969). In '03, Kiger was in high A ball and doing fine, hitting .281/.375/.411 with the Modesto A's. He cracked 38 doubles, scored 95 and drew 77 walks while striking out 106 times. He led the California League in walks.
In 2004, the infielder batted .263/.369/.355 for the Midland RockHounds and walked 78 times and was 3 for 13 with three walks for the Sacramento RiverCats. He led the Texas League in fielding percentage at second base (.979). The next season, he was back with Midland and had an almost identical season - .267/.360/.367, 68 walks and the league-leading fielding percentage at2B (.988).
Starting another year at Midland, Mark hit .307/.379/.450 and got a longer look at Sacramento (.233/.348/.330) before getting his post-season big-league debut and making history.
Primary Sources: 2003-2006 Baseball Almanac
