NYPL State College Spikes

McPherson Becomes 15th Spike to Reach Major Leagues

Published on August 21, 2012 under New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


(STATE COLLEGE, PA) - Former State College Spikes pitcher Kyle McPherson, who was with the Spikes from 2007-09, earned promotion to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday night and became the 15th Spike to become a Major Leaguer when he tossed two scoreless innings against the San Diego Padres.

McPherson, the Pirates' 14th-round draft choice in 2007, joined the Spikes for three starts at the end of the '07 campaign before spending 2008 in State College. The right-hander bounced back from a season where he allowed a New York-Penn League-leading ten home runs to have a tremendous 2009 season. McPherson went 4-3 with a 2.99 earned run average and a 57-to-11 strikeout-to-walk ratio in a team-leading 13 starts to earn the club's Pitcher of the Year award.

The Creola, AL native then shot up through the Pirates minor league system, starting with a 9-9 season in which he posted a 3.59 ERA for Single-A West Virginia in 2010. McPherson followed that up by copping the Pirates Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2011 with a combined 12-6 record and a 2.96 ERA for Advanced-A Bradenton and Double-A Altoona.

The 2011 Florida State League All-Star missed the initial portion of the 2012 season due to injury, but came back to make quick stops with Altoona and Triple-A Indianapolis before making his way to the Pirates.

McPherson joins a growing list of Spikes to have seen their "Road to the Show" pass through State College. 2006 Spikes David Carpenter, Allen Craig, Mark Hamilton, Brendan Ryan, Luke Gregerson, Jason Motte, Adam Ottavino, Donovan Solano and P.J. Walters have all seen Major League action since the Spikes' debut season. The roll call of Spikes to the Majors also includes current and former Pirates Chase d'Arnaud (2008), Matt Hague (2008), Jordy Mercer (2008). Daniel Moskos (2007) and Tony Watson (2007).

Great seats are available for all ten remaining home games on the Spikes' 2012 home slate and can be purchased by visiting the Medlar Field at Lubrano Park Box Office, by calling toll-free (877) 99-SPIKES, or by visiting StateCollegeSpikes.com to buy and print tickets from your home computer.

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