Tony Pluta

Anthony Joseph Pluta

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 3", Weight 230 lb.
• High School Las Vegas High School
• Born October 28, 1982 in Visalia, CA USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Tony Pluta pitched in the minor and independent leagues from 2001 to 2012, peaking at High-A. Control issues hampered him throughout his career, as he averaged 6.8 walks per 9 innings.

He was taken by the Houston Astros in the 3rd round of the 2000 amateur draft, a couple picks ahead of pitcher Bill White and in the same round as future star Grady Sizemore. He was signed by scout Tim Tolman. He began his career in 2001 by going 12-4 with a 3.20 ERA in 26 starts for the Lexington Legends, striking out 138 batters in 132 1/3 innings -- but walking a South Atlantic League-leading 86, as well. Going into 2002, Baseball America ranked him the club's #6 prospect, between Brad Lidge and Morgan Ensberg. That year, he went 11-13 with a 5.92 mark in 28 starts for the Michigan Battle Cats, walking 83 in 143 innings. He led the Midwest League in earned runs allowed (94) and home runs allowed (18), and he tied Matt Coenen, Ryan Holsten, Chad Petty and Mike Burns for the league lead in starts. He was second in the loop in walks allowed, behind Jerry Oakes' 84.

He made just 3 starts for the Salem Avalanche in 2003; he averaged more than a strikeout per inning, but he walked 8 in 12 1/3 frames. After not pitching in 2004, he returned with the Tri-City ValleyCats in 2005, going 2-4 with an 11.45 ERA in 14 games (10 starts). In 41 2/3 innings, he allowed 51 walks, while hitting 10 batters and throwing 6 wild pitches. He led the New York-Penn League in walks and earned runs allowed (53) and was second in runs allowed (55), behind Mario Pena's 56. During his tenure in the Astros chain, he was named an organization top-20 prospect by Baseball America four times total.

In 2006, he played for the Williamsport Crosscutters in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization (1 2/3 IP, 21.60 ERA, 6 BB) and the independent Calgary Vipers (5 1/3 IP, 20.25 ERA, 10 BB) and Coastal Bend Aviators (12 IP, 9.00 ERA, 13 BB). In 2007, he pitched for the Bakersfield Blaze in the Texas Rangers system (18 2/3 IP, 8.68 ERA, 30 BB) and the independent St. George Starzz (22 2/3 IP, 5.56 ERA, 22 BB). He was a Golden Baseball League All-Star that year. After averaging nearly a walk per inning to more than a walk per frame each year from 2005 to 2007, he regained some of his control in 2008, going 1-2 with a 7.44 ERA in 34 relief appearances for St. George -- walking 28 in 42 1/3 innings. He remained in indy ball for the rest of his career, which lasted through 2012. He had a brief resurgence in 2011, going 2-2 with a 3.63 ERA in 24 games (1 start) for the Newark Bears, walking 27 in 39 2/3 innings.

Overall, Pluta went 45-47 with a 5.81 ERA in 270 games (82 starts). In 640 innings, he allowed 663 hits and 489 walks (1.800 WHIP), while striking out 632 batters. He also threw 80 wild pitches and hit 72 batters.

He later managed the Canadian team in the 2023-2024. In addition, he's served as an assistant coach for the Victoria Eagles of the BC Premier Baseball League.