* Graduated from Antioch High School in Lindenhurst, IL ...selected by Houston in the 35th round of the June 1995 draft, but he did not sign.
* Selected by the New York Yankees in the 36th round of the June 1998 draft, but he did not sign and elected to return to Illinois State University.
* Posted an 8-2 record with a 4.41 ERA as a junior at Illinois State University in 1999, earning First-Team Missouri Valley Conference honors.
* Pitched for Maryvale of the Arizona Fall League following the 2001 season, posting a 3.60 ERA (15.0IP/6ER) in 13 appearances.
* Recorded a 2.16 ERA (8.1IP/2ER) with 11 strikeouts in eight games with Mesa of the Arizona Fall League following the 2002 season.
* Resides in Lake Villa, IL during the off-season.
2003
Joined the Tigers for two separate stints, making 20 appearances out of the bullpen...spent the majority of the
season with Triple A
Toledo, ranking fourth on the club with 39 appearances.
Lost his first three decisions to open the season April 5-May 29, including losses in consecutive outings May 24
at Charlotte and May 29 versus Ottawa.
Fanned all three batters he faced to snap his three-game losing streak on June 15 at Rochester...earned the
win in his next outing on June 17 versus Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and stretched the winning streak to three with a
victory on June 23 versus Rochester.
Posted a
3-0
record in nine appearances during June with a
2.38 ERA (
11.1IP/3ER).
Snapped his personal three-game winning streak after walking two and allowing one run on two hits in an
inning of work in the second game of a
doubleheader on July 1
at Durham...would lose his final three decisions
with Toledo July 1-August 29.
Held the opposition scoreless over his final five outings July 8-20 and allowed just four hits in 7.1 innings before
being recalled to Detroit on July 27.
Struck out a
season-high three batters while allowing one run on one hit in a
season-high two innings of work
on August 1
at Minnesota.
Held the opposition scoreless in seven of his first eight outings with Detroit July 27-August 13, posting a
1.17 ERA (
7.2IP/1ER) over that span.
Allowed runs in three of his next four outings August 15-23 before being optioned to Toledo on August 24.
Struggled in his final three outings with Toledo August 24-29, allowing five runs (
three earned) on four hits while
walking three over just two innings of work before being recalled on September 2.
Worked six consecutive scoreless outings from September 2-17 and held the opposition scoreless in seven of
his eight outings during September, posting a
1.42 ERA (
6.1IP/1ER).
Issued a
walk in 18 of his 39 outings with Toledo, including two-or-more walks six times.
Walked at least one batter in 11 of his 20 appearances with Detroit, including a
season-high two batters four
times.
2002
- Joined the Tigers in September after pitching the entire season in relief with Triple A Toledo...led all Mud Hens pitchers with 52 appearances.
- Struggled during the season's opening month, posting a 5.23 ERA (10.1IP/6ER) and allowing 12 walks in nine appearances for Toledo...issued a season-high three walks twice during the month -- April 5 at Louisville and April 21 versus Columbus.
- Struck out a season-best four batters four times -- May 5 versus Durham, May 17 against Pawtucket, June 27 versus Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and July 30 against Durham.
- Limited International League opponents to a .196 batting average (10x51) while fanning 19 batters during May...posted a 5.40 ERA in his 11 appearances, surrendering nine runs in 15.0 innings.
- Tossed a season-high 2.2 innings at Columbus July 17, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits.
- Did not allow a run in seven straight outings July 26-August 16, a stretch of eight innings.
- Held lefties to a .191 batting average (13x68), while International League righthanders batted .250 (44x176) with him on the mound.
- Walked at least one batter in 28 of his 52 appearances with the Mud Hens...was scored upon in 21 of his outings, allowing two-or-more runs 11 times.
- Made one appearance during the playoffs for Toledo, fanning two batters in 2.1 scoreless innings.
- Had his contract purchased by Detroit on September 7.
- Made his major league debut on September 9 at Minnesota...struck out a career-best four batters in two innings of work.
- Posted his first major league win September 13 versus Kansas City, blanking the Royals on two hits in an inning of relief.
- Lefties batted .400 (6x15) against him, while righthanders were 8x22 (.364).
