NL Gary SouthShore Railcats

Former Big League Starter Joining RailCats Loaded Rotation

Published on April 27, 2010 under Northern League (NL)
Gary SouthShore Railcats News Release


GARY, Ind. - Former NCAA National Champion Brad Halsey, a veteran of 40 major league starts with three different teams, has agreed to terms with the Gary SouthShore RailCats for the 2010 season, gunning to join a rotation that includes a bevy of decorated pitchers.

Halsey, 29, has logged nearly 300 innings in the major leagues and has made the majority of his 168 professional appearances in a big league uniform, pitching for the New York Yankees (2004), Arizona Diamondbacks (2005) and Oakland Athletics (2006). The left-hander rode the fast track to the big leagues, making his major league debut just two years after being drafted out of the University of Texas on the strength of three excellent minor league seasons. Halsey last pitched for an affiliated organization in 2007, and has since undergone shoulder surgery that kept the Texas native out of baseball until last year when he made 11 starts for the Atlantic League's Long Island Ducks.

A starter at Texas when the Longhorns won the 2002 College World Series Championship, Halsey was selected in the eighth round of the 2002 Major League Entry Draft by the Yankees. Halsey was untouchable for the Staten Island Yankees as a rookie, going 6-1 with a 1.93 ERA in 10 starts, then tore through Single-A and Double-A the following season. In 2004, Halsey finished second in the International League (AAA) in ERA (2.63) in 23 starts for Columbus, going 11-4 with 109 strikeouts in 144 innings before being called up to the Yankees.

Halsey made his major league debut across the coast in Los Angeles, taking the bump for the Yankees to start an interleague matchup against Hideo Nomo at Dodger Stadium on June 19, 2004. Not only did Halsey earn the win in his major league debut - allowing two runs on five hits in 5.2 innings - he also singled off Nomo is his first professional at bat. Halsey made seven starts for the Yankees in 2004 before being dealt to the Arizona Diamondbacks that offseason in the blockbuster trade that sent future Hall of Famer Randy Johnson to New York.

In Arizona, a 24-year-old Halsey earned a job in the starting rotation out of Spring Training and went 8-12 with a 4.61 ERA in 26 starts that summer. Halsey was excellent much of the year, reaching the end of July with a 7-7 record and 3.81 ERA before scuffling late in the season. The southpaw still finished the year with an impressive 2.1:1 strikeout-walk ratio and logged 160.0 innings before once again being traded, this time to the Oakland Athletics for reliever Juan Cruz. Halsey was a reliever and spot-starter for the Athletics in 2006, making 52 big league appearances along with a pair of starts at Sacramento (AAA). Halsey made three more starts at Triple-A in 2007 before his injury and subsequent surgery.

A native of Houston, Halsey made 17 starts for the National Champion Longhorns in 2002, going 7-2 with a 2.74 ERA. Halsey's Texas team was loaded with future major leaguers, including 2002 College World Series MVP Huston Street and infielder Omar Quintanilla.

The RailCats also Tuesday agreed to terms with 2009 Baseball America All-Independent Leagues starter Brian Henschel, who was acquired earlier this month from the American Association's Shreveport Captains as part of a three-team trade. Henschel, 33, was 11-3 with a 2.29 ERA in 16 starts for the United League's San Angelo Colts last summer.

Halsey and Henschel's signings give the RailCats 23 players and 10 pitchers under contract for the coming season, including all-time RailCats great Willie Glen, 2009 Northern League Relief Pitcher of the Year Andy Shipman and former Colorado Rockies reliever Zach McClellan. The RailCats expect to have at least 28 players in camp when Spring Training opens May 6 at U. S. Steel Yard.

The RailCats being the 2010 season Thursday, May 20 at 7 p.m. at U. S. Steel Yard against the Kansas City T-Bones. Single game tickets, season tickets, group outings, flex packages and mini-plans are on sale now by calling 219.882.2255 or visiting www.railcatsbaseball.com.

The first chance to see the 2010 RailCats, however, will be at the Meet the RailCats Luncheon, Monday, May 10 at 11:30 a.m. at the Radisson Hotel in Merrillville. The entire 'Cats team will be on hand, prizes will be given away and Hall of Fame former Chicago Cubs pitcher Fergie Jenkins will deliver the keynote address. Tickets are available for $50 by calling the RailCats at 219.882.2255. Full tables are also for sale, and are guaranteed to include at least one RailCats players or coach.

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Northern League Stories from April 27, 2010


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