Mike Ekstrom #56

Michael Robert Ekstrom was originally signed by Padres scout Tim McWilliam...graduated from Sam Barlow (OR) High School...played baseball at Oregon State University...transferred to Point Loma Nazarene University (CA) for his junior year...was named Conference Player of the Year and led PLNU to the NAIA College World Series...also owns the school's record for wins in a season when he won 12 games in 2004...was a talented skier in high school, winning the Oregon state slalom title his senior year...grew up on a tree farm in Gresham, OR...his parents and siblings still operate the family business, growing trees used for landscaping.

2012

Spent most of the season at Triple-A Colorado Springs where he appeared in 43 games...also had a one-month stint with Colorado following the All-Star Break, logging a 6.32 ERA in a career-high tying 15 relief appearances...opponents batted .328 against him with the Rockies, including .233 (10-for-43) by right-handed hitters compared to .524 (11-for-24) by left-handers...first batters faced were 5-for-15 (.333)...allowed 1 of 4 (25.0%) inherited runners to score...yielded a .333 average with runners in scoring position but opponents were 0-for-7 with RISP and two outs...all 15 of his appearances came in losses...was selected by Colorado July 13 and tossed a scoreless eighth inning in his Rockies debut the next day against Philadelphia...allowed his first run July 17 against Pittsburgh...it was the first run he allowed since April 18, 2010, snapping a career-high 16.0-inning scoreless streak...surrendered 10 runs on 16 hits over a seven-game stretch from July 20 to Aug. 3 (11.25 ERA, .432 opponents batting average)...including a season-high four runs in 1.0 inning Aug. 3 against San Francisco...tossed a season-high 2.0 scoreless innings Aug. 8 at Los Angeles (NL)...did not allow a run over his final four outings with the Rockies (4.0 ip, 2 h, 1 so)...was designated for assignment Aug. 15 and outrighted to Colorado Springs Aug. 17.

2011

Made his second-straight Major League Spring Training appearance with the Tampa Bay Rays...went 0-2 with a 10.13 ERA (8.0 ip, 9 er) in seven appearances during Spring Training before being optioned on 3/22...Began the season with Triple-A Durham as one of the Bulls' late-inning relievers...appeared in the third-most games among all Bulls...his five holds were second on the team and his 20 games finished were tied for second-most on the Bulls...in addition, his five saves were the fifth-most on the team and his six wins were tied for third-most...In 46 appearances for Triple-A Durham he finished with a record of 6-4 and an ERA of 4.35 (68.1 ip, 33 er) while saving five of his seven opportunities on the season...19 of his 46 appearances were 2.0-plus outings...in those 19 outings he went 5-0 with one save and an ERA of 2.03 (40.0 ip, 9 er) while striking out 38 compared to walking just 11...Earned saves in three straight games over a five-day span with Durham, 5/27-31...over those three games allowed just two hits, no runs and struckout three in 4.0 innings...Had his contract selected to the Major League club on 7/28 and made his first and only appearance of the season with the Rays on 7/31 at SEA...tossed a scoreless inning allowing just one hit and striking out one in the final inning of play...Finished the season with Durham after being optioned following his only outing with Tampa Bay...finished the season tossing 15.2 innings over 10 outings, allowing runs in four of the 10 appearances.

2010

Made his first Opening Day roster, his first of four stints with the Rays...spent the rest of the season at Triple-A Durham...was on the active roster from April 6-27, Aug 9-24, Sep 8-13 and Sep 19 through season's end...made 15 relief apps, compiling a 3.31 ERA (16.1-IP, 6-ER)...Did not allow a run over his last 11 appearances with the Rays...totaled 13 IP, 7 H, 4 BB, 8 SO in this stretch, and all 7 hits allowed were singles...prior to the scoreless stretch, allowed 6 R/ER in 3.1 IP over his first 4 apps (April 8-18), with 5 H and 5 BB...His longest outing was April 21 at CWS, when he threw 2 scoreless innings in relief of Wade Davis in a 12-0 victory...Went 6-1 for Durham with a 2.79 ERA in 39 games (1 start)...allowed only 1 ER over his first 15 apps (22 IP), resulting in a 0.41 ERA through June 7...16 of his 38 relief apps for Durham were 2 or more innings...In Spring Training, beat out Joaquin Benoit and Dale Thayer for the final spot in the bullpen after going 3-0 with a 7.43 ERA (13.1-IP, 17-H, 11-R/ER) over a team-high 9 apps (1 start)...his 3 wins tied the Rays all-time spring record.

2009

Posted a 6.38 ERA (18.1-IP, 13-ER) in 12 relief appearances over two stints with the Padres...was his 6th season in the Padres system...Was selected from Triple-A Portland on June 16 and made his season debut that day vs. SEA...optioned back to Portland four days later after a pair of outings...Recalled again July 6 and made 10 appearances over a five-week span before being optioned again on Aug 13...Worked a career-high 3 scoreless innings July 10 at SF, striking out a career-best 5...Went 4-2 with a 1.73 ERA in 42 appearances (one start) for Portland...held opponents to a .202 (44-for-218) batting average, including a .191 mark with runners on base (17-for-89)...Allowed 5 runs in his lone start (2 IP) and just 7 in his 41 relief apps for a 1.04 ERA (60.1-IP,40-H, 7-ER)...Pitched 2 or more innings in nearly half of his appearances with Portland (19)...Named to the Triple-A All-Star Team but did not participate due to his promotion to the Padres.

2008

Went 0-2 with a 7.45 ERA (8 ER/9.2 IP), six strikeouts and seven walks...Held opponents to a .222 average (4-for-18) in four road games...Contract purchased from San Antonio 9/6...made Major League debut with 2.0 hitless innings 9/10 vs. LAD...Appeared in 41 games (15 starts) with the Missions and went 11-8 with one save and a 4.58 ERA (55 ER/108.0 IP) with 101 strikeouts compared to 34 walks...Ranked second in the Texas League in wins...Was 7-3 with a save and a 2.57 ERA (12 ER/42.0 IP) in 26 relief appearances with San Antonio...Posted a 0.68 ERA (1 ER/13.1 IP) with a 1-1 record and one save in seven June outings (one start)...Was 9-3 with a 2.34 mark (13 ER/50.0 IP) with 53 strikeouts compared to 14 walks in 23 contests (three starts) in the second half of the season.

2007

Pitched the entire season for Double-A San Antonio...rated as having the best control in the San Diego organization according to Baseball America's 2007 Best Tools survey...Went 7-10 with a 4.76 ERA (76 ER/143.2 IP) in 27 starts...Took a no-hitter into the eighth inning of Game 4 of the Texas League finals to lead the Missions to the title...Tied for the team lead with 27 starts (Cesar Ramos), also tying for third in the Texas League.

2006

Named the Padres Minor League Pitcher of the Year after posting a 10-11 record with four complete games, two shutouts and a 3.08 ERA (57 ER/166.2 IP) in 28 starts between Single-A Lake Elsinore and Double-A Mobile...Ranked among organization leaders in wins (T-2nd), ERA (3rd) and strikeouts (5th, 117)...Earned California League Mid-Season All-Star honors with Lake Elsinore...Tied for third in the Southern League with three complete games...Named California League Pitcher of the Week for 5/29-6/4 after going 2-0 with a 0.68 ERA (1 ER/13.1 IP) in two starts...Was one of two Cal League pitchers to throw a two-hitter, collecting a 5-0 shutout 6/8 vs. Stockton...Tossed 15.0 scoreless innings over a pair of starts en route to Southern League Pitcher of the Week honors 8/14-20.

2005

In his first full professional season, posted a 13-6 record and 3.70 ERA (69 ER/167.2 IP) in 28 starts for Single-A Fort Wayne...Named to the Midwest League Mid-Season All-Star team...Ranked among Midwest League leaders in starts (T-1st), shutouts (T-1st), innings pitched (2nd), wins (3rd) and ERA (9th)...Shared the organization lead in victories while ranking fourth in strikeouts (112)...Went 6-0 with a 1.29 ERA (8 ER/56.0 IP) over his first nine starts 4/7-5/22...Named Midwest League Pitcher of the Week for 5/16-22...tossed an 8-0 shutout 5/16 at West Michigan, allowing just four hits and one walk while striking out five over 9.0 scoreless innings...did not allow a run in his next start (5.0 IP) 5/22 vs. Kane County.

2004

Made his professional debut at Short-A Eugene, going 3-1 with a 3.69 ERA (16 ER/39.0 IP) in 12 games (seven starts)...One of six Emeralds to be named to the Northwest League's Mid-Season All-Star team...Opened his career by tossing scoreless ball over his first six appearances (12.1 IP) 6/18-7/9, posting a 3-0 record during that span...Promoted to Single-A Fort Wayne 8/21 for his final three starts.