Mitch Talbot

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**Mitch Talbot**

Tampa Bay Rays — No. 51
Pitcher
Born: May 10, 1983 (1983-17-10) (age 24)
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
Major League Baseball debut
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Selected MLB statistics (through 2008)
Win-Loss
Earned run average
Strikeouts
Teams
Tampa Bay Rays (2008-present)

Mitch R. Talbot (born October 17, 1983 in Cedar City, Utah) is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays.

The youngest of 6 siblings, Talbot graduated from Canyon View High School in Utah and was a member of the Salt Lake Tribune's All-State second team during his senior season.

He was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 2nd round (70th overall) in the 2002 Major League Baseball draft right out of high school. He did not sign immediately and as a result did not begin his professional career until 2003.

In 2005, he was rated to have the best changeup in the Astros's orgnization by Baseball America. He pitched for Single A Salem and went 8-11 with a 4.34 ERA. He was the Carolina League Pitcher of the Week for the week of July 25 to July 31.

On July 12, 2006, during the All-Star break, Talbot, along with shortstop Ben Zobrist were traded to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for outfielder Aubrey Huff. Pitching for two Double A teams (Corpus Christi and Montgomery), he went a combined 10-7 with a 2.76 ERA. He even earned the Devil Rays Minor League pitcher of August after he went 2-1 with a 1.96 ERA and led all of Double A baseball with 47 strikeouts. Talbot helped the Montgomery Biscuits to league champions of that year and was named [minorleaguebasell.com]'s best Double A playoff performer.