AA St. Paul Saints

Saints Pitcher Anthony Claggett Selected American Association Pointstreak Pitcher of the Week

Published on May 19, 2014 under American Association (AA)
St. Paul Saints News Release


ST. PAUL, MN (May 19, 2014) - Anthony Claggett got the ball on Opening Night of the 2014 season for a reason. He didn't disappoint dazzling over 6.2 innings of shutout work. His impressive performance earned him the American Association Pointstreak Pitcher of the Week.

Claggett dominated the Gary SouthShore Railcats retiring the first nine batters he face until a leadoff walk to Danny Pulfer in the fourth. Claggett picked off Pulfur after he retired the next two hitters in the inning and faced the minimum through four. In the fifth he gave up his only hit of the night, a leadoff single to Wally Backman Jr. Claggett went 6.2 shutout innings allowing one hits while walking two and striking out five to pick up the win.

The 29-year-old Claggett was one of the most consistent and dominant pitchers on the Saints staff last season, finishing tied for second in complete games, with three, and third in the American Association in ERA, at 3.11. Claggett led the Saints in victories going 9-6 in 21 starts. In 142.0 innings pitched he walked just 43 while striking out 83 with opponents hitting .265 against him. He etched his name in the Saints record book tying the single-season mark for most games started and second most innings pitched, finishing 7.0 innings shy of teammate Mark Hamburger. Claggett was a workhorse tossing at least 6.0 innings in 20 of 21 starts and 7.0 innings in nine of 21 starts. He also allowed three runs or less in 17 of 21 starts.

Claggett began his time with the Saints during the 2012 season when he was signed as a free agent on June 6. He split time out of the bullpen and as a starter, thriving in the starter's role. He was 5-3 with a 4.48 ERA in 11 starts.

Claggett was an 11th round selection by the Detroit Tigers in 2005 and was traded to the New York Yankees in 2006 which sent Gary Sheffield to the Tigers in exchange for pitchers Humberto Sanchez, Kevin Whelan and Claggett on November 10. That season Claggett was named the MLB.com Class-A Pitcher of the Year going 7-2 with a 0.91 ERA and 14 saves in 51 relief appearances at West Michigan.

In 2009 Claggett reached the pinnacle of the baseball world when he was called up to the Major Leagues and made his debut for the Yankees on April 18, pitching out of relief against the Cleveland Indians. His debut did not go as planned, allowing eight runs on nine hits, and the Yankees optioned him to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre following the game. Claggett was promoted to the big club again on August 5 and made his second appearance on August 6 against the Boston Red Sox. He was once again optioned to Scranton/Wilkes Barre following the game and on September 24 the Pittsburgh Pirates claimed Claggett off of waivers. He would pitch one game for the Pirates. Claggett earned a World Series ring that season when the Yankees won the World Series and gave each player who played for the team that season a ring.

During the last two off-seasons Claggett has pitched in Australia for the Perth Heat.

This is the first Pointstreak Pitcher of the Week Award for the Saints since Cole Nelson won the award for the week of June 8-15, 2013.

Pointstreak is the official statistician of the American Association. Pointstreak provides technology driven sports management and business solutions designed to streamline operations while facilitating and enhancing the sport participant, fan and media experience. Pointstreak's product line includes solutions for professional, collegiate, and junior sports leagues as well as for amateur and recreational sports leagues. More information can be found on Pointstreak's website at www.pointstreaksolutions.com or www.pointstreak.com.

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