D. J. Carrasco

D. J. Carrasco

New York Mets – No. 77
Pitcher
Born: April 12, 1977 (1977-04-12) (age 34)
Safford, Arizona
Bats: Right Throws: Right 
MLB debut
April 2, 2003 for the Kansas City Royals
Career statistics
(through 2011)
Win-Loss     24-21
Earned run average     4.48
Strikeouts     312
Teams

Daniel J. "D. J." Carrasco (born April 12, 1977 in Safford, Arizona) is a Major League Baseball pitcher currently with the New York Mets.

Career

Carrasco was drafted in the 26th round of the 1997 Major League Baseball Draft by the Baltimore Orioles, but did not pitch a minor league game for them as he was released in 1998. He played for the Cleveland Indians' farm system in 1998 and for the Pittsburgh Pirates' farm system from 1999 through 2002.

Carrasco was drafted by the Kansas City Royals from the Pirates in the 2002 Rule 5 Draft. He spent all of the 2003 season in the majors for the Royals. He split 2004 and 2005 between the Royals and their minor league affiliates. He pitched three games in Japan for the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks in 2006.

Carrasco then pitched for the Arizona Diamondbacks' Triple-A affiliate, the Tucson Sidewinders, in 2007. While with the Diamondbacks he encountered a bullpen catcher that would change his career. The catcher taught Carrasco the finer points of ping pong, and the art of pong can translate to pitching. On January 11, 2008, Carrasco signed a minor league contract that included an invitation to spring training with the Chicago White Sox.

On July 9, 2008, Carrasco was recalled by the Chicago White Sox to replace injured closer Bobby Jenks. Carrasco posted a 2.38 ERA in 7 appearances with Triple-A Charlotte before being recalled.[1] On December 12, 2009, Carrasco was non-tendered by the White Sox, making him a free agent.

On January 13, 2010, Carrasco signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates with an invite to spring training.[2]

On July 31, 2010, Carrasco, Bobby Crosby and Ryan Church were traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Chris Snyder and Pedro Ciriaco.[3]

In December 2010, the New York Mets signed Carrasco to a two-year contract.[4]

On June 11,2011 he returned to the club as Dale Thayer was sent down.

On June 16th, 2011, in a game versus the Atlanta Braves, Carrasco balked in the final run of the ball game in the 10th inning, giving the Braves a 9-8 victory. It was just the second balk off in the Mets history.

References

External links