Blake Treinen

Blake Treinen

Treinen with the Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals – No. 64
Pitcher
Born: June 30, 1988
Osage City, Kansas
Bats: Right Throws: Right
MLB debut
April 12, 2014 for the Washington Nationals
Career statistics
(through April 18, 2015)
Win–loss record 2–4
Earned run average 2.72
Strikeouts 32
Teams

Blake M. Treinen (born June 30, 1988) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball (MLB).

Amateur career

Treinen attended Osage City High School in Osage City, Kansas.[1] He played for the school's baseball team as a freshman, but quit during his sophomore year as he developed prediabetes. He returned to the team in his junior year, with his fastball reaching 79 miles per hour (127 km/h).[2] He enrolled at Baker University, where he played college baseball for the Baker Wildcats in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics in 2007.[3] He transferred to the University of Arkansas in 2008, but did not play for their baseball team. He attempted to walk on to the Arkansas Razorbacks baseball team in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), but was denied the opportunity to try out. He began weight training.[2]

During Christmas break, Treinen participated in a baseball training camp led by Don Czyz, a retired Minor League Baseball pitcher. Czyz recommended Treinen to Ritchie Price, the head coach of the South Dakota State Jackrabbits baseball team.[2] Treinen transferred to South Dakota State University to continued his college baseball career with the Jackrabbits. He had to sit out in 2009 due to the NCAA's rules on transfers. By the time he was able to pitch for the Jackrabbits, his fastball averaged 87 to 88 miles per hour (140–142 km/h). The Miami Marlins selected Treinen in the 23rd round of the 2010 MLB Draft. Though Treinen was willing to sign, an MRI revealed shoulder inflammation, and the Marlins withdrew their offer.[2]

In 2011, his senior year, Treinen had a 7-3 win–loss record and a 3.00 earned run average (ERA).[4][5] During the season, his fastball reached 97 miles per hour (156 km/h).[2]

Professional career

The Oakland Athletics selected Treinen in the seventh round of the 2011 MLB Draft. He signed with Oakland, receiving a $52,000 signing bonus.[4] Pitching for the Stockton Ports of the Class A-Advanced California League in 2012, Treinen had a season he called "subpar" and "mediocre", in which he had a 4.37 ERA in 24 games pitched, 15 of which were starts.[6]

Before the 2013 season, the Athletics traded Treinen to the Washington Nationals in a three-team deal, in which Washington also received A. J. Cole and Ian Krol, Oakland received John Jaso, and the Seattle Mariners received Michael Morse.[7] With the Harrisburg Senators of the Class AA Eastern League, Treinen had a 3.64 ERA during the 2013 season.[3]

The Nationals invited Treinen to spring training in 2014, where he impressed Nationals' coaches.[3][6][8] He began the season with the Syracuse Chiefs of the Class AAA International League, and was promoted to the major leagues on April 12.[9]

References

  1. ↑ "A's draft Osage City product Treinen". Topeka Capital-Journal. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nationals/washington-nationals-blake-treinen-takes-slow-road-to-throwing-fastballs-in-majors/2014/06/02/d823664a-ea74-11e3-b98c-72cef4a00499_story.html
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Wagner, James. "Blake Treinen impressing in Nationals camp". Washington Post. Retrieved March 20, 2014.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Scouting reports on the return in the Michael Morse trade: A.J. Cole and Blake Treinen". Washington Times. January 16, 2013. Retrieved March 20, 2014.
  5. ↑ Central Pennsylvania (August 27, 2013). "Blake Treinen makes his return for first-place Harrisburg Senators Tuesday night vs. Altoona". The Patriot-News. Retrieved March 20, 2014.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Dan Kolko (March 4, 2014). "Nationals Pastime: How a trade and a season at Double-A jump-started Blake Treinen's career". MASN. Retrieved March 20, 2014.
  7. ↑ Kilgore, Adam (January 16, 2013). "Nationals trade Michael Morse for A.J. Cole in three-team deal". Washington Post. Retrieved July 14, 2013.
  8. ↑ "Blake Treinen ‘continues to impress’ with elite velocity, presence". Washington Post. March 21, 2014. Retrieved March 22, 2014.
  9. ↑ Wagner, James (April 12, 2014). "Nationals call up Blake Treinen to add fresh arm to the bullpen, Aaron Barrett sent down". Washington Post. Retrieved April 13, 2014.

External links