Mark Prior
From BR Bullpen
Mark William Prior
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 5", Weight 225 lb.
- School Vanderbilt University, University of Southern California
- High School University City High School (San Diego)
- Debut May 22, 2002
- Final Game August 10, 2006
- Born September 7, 1980 in San Diego, CA USA
[edit] Biographical Information
"He was the second coming of Tom Seaver. . ." - from a Chicago Sun-Times article, August 4, 2009, about Prior never reaching the peaks expected of him
"The poor guy just couldn't seem to get over the hump." - Bud Black, about Prior's inability to overcome his injury problems
One of the most heralded young pitchers of the decade and the #2 pick in the 2002 amateur draft, Mark Prior won 18 games in his second year with the Chicago Cubs. Beset with arm problems, he gradually faded from the major league scene. In his five years in the majors, though, he won nearly 60% of his decisions.
He even had a major league batting average over .200, unusual for a pitcher.
During four seasons in the minors, he had an ERA of 2.95 along with a batting average of .240. He continued to be under contract for 2007, 2008 and most of 2009, but had shoulder issues and hardly pitched at all.
He eventually finished his degree in business from USC. In August 2010, he began another comeback attempt with the Orange County Flyers of the independent Golden Baseball League. After not giving up an earned run in 11 innings and striking out 22 of the 44 batters he faced, he was signed by the Texas Rangers on September 4, who assigned him to AAA Oklahoma City. He pitched one scoreless inning for the Redhawks, then in the off-season, signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- NL All-Star (2003)
- 15 Wins Seasons: 1 (2003)
- 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 1 (2003)
- 200 Strikeouts Seasons: 1 (2003)
