Long Beach Armada's Adam Pettyjohn Acquired by Oakland Athletics
Published on July 20, 2006 under Golden Baseball League (GBL) News Release
(Pleasanton, CA July 20, 2006) The Golden Baseball League announced today that the Oakland Athletics acquired left-handed pitcher Adam Pettyjohn of the Long Beach Armada late last week. Pettyjohn has reported to Oakland's Triple-A affiliate, the Sacramento River Cats.
"It was great having Adam back for a couple of weeks," said Darrell Evans, Long Beach Armada manager and former major league all-star. "I'm not surprised that he was picked up. I was more shocked that Seattle had released him considering his performance in the Texas League this season."
Pettyjohn, 29, was originally drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 2nd round in 1998 out of Fresno State University in California. He quickly advanced through the Tigers' farm system and made it to the major leagues in four years as he started 9 games and appeared in a total of 16 for Detroit in 2001. Unfortunately, he was later stricken with a serious illness that required surgery and he could not return until the 2003 season. He worked his way back to Triple-A with Sacramento in the Oakland Athletics organization until being released after the 2004 campaign.
Signing with the Long Beach Armada in 2005, he had a chance to pitch regularly and quickly regained his form. Pettyjohn was GBL Pitcher of the Month for June, twice was selected as GBL Pitcher of the Week, won a Gold Glove for his fielding, and was named to the GBL All-Star team as he led the Armada into the playoffs and finished with a 10-2 record. That performance caught the eye of the Seattle Mariners who purchased his contract in January of this year.
Seattle assigned him to their Double-A Texas League club in San Antonio where he excelled as a relief pitcher and spot starter. In late June, Seattle brought up a number of pitchers from their lower levels and Pettyjohn was released despite being 3rd in the Texas League in ERA (2.91) and striking out 46 batters while only walking 14 in 52 innings pitched. He attracted interest from Oakland after he rejoined the Armada and pitched brilliantly in two starts resulting in a 1.64 ERA and striking out 11 in 11 innings while walking only 3.
"Adam is the 18th player from the Golden Baseball League to have his contract acquired by a major league organization in 2006," said GBL Commissioner Kevin Outcalt. "He is our fifth player to go to Triple-A and is a great example of how our league is very effective at placing players at all levels of major league farm systems."
Golden Baseball League Stories from July 20, 2006
- San Diego steals win 4-3 - Orange County Flyers
- Peanut Williams and Nate Sevier named GBL players of the month - GBL
- Player Movement Brings Hope For Second Half Surge - San Diego Surf Dawgs
- Long Beach Armada's Adam Pettyjohn Acquired by Oakland Athletics - GBL
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