Clayton Richard
Encyclopedia
Clayton Colby Richard is a left-handed pitcher
for the San Diego Padres
. He is 6 feet and 5 inches tall, and weighs 240 pounds.
and Mr. Baseball his senior year at McCutcheon High School
and was also his class' valedictorian.
in the fall of 2003.
Richard was redshirted for the Wolverines football team
his freshman year. In 2004, he battled for the starting spot on the team, but lost out to Chad Henne
. Richard was the Wolverine's #2 quarterback that season, but he saw limited action, mostly in blowout wins over Miami (Ohio)
, Indiana
, and Northwestern
. Richard appeared in 4 total games for the Wolverines in 2004, only attempting 15 passes for 8 completions and 52 total yards.
The following spring, Richard joined the Wolverines baseball team
and pitched well. In his one season in Ann Arbor, Richard pitched 21 games, mostly as a reliever and compiled a 0-1 record with a 2.43 ERA, a 1.20 WHIP, and 27 K's in 33.1 IP, good for a 7.29 K/9 innings ratio. The Wolverines were 42-19 that season and finished 4th in the Big 10 with a 17-12 conference record. They were the 3rd seed in the Atlanta Regional of the College Baseball Tournament, but were eliminated in the 2nd round of the Regionals, losing both games to South Carolina by 1 run. After starting his baseball career with moderate success, Richard dropped his football scholarship at Michigan and focused on baseball full-time.
. He was the 2nd player from Michigan drafted, the first being Chris Getz
, also selected by the Sox in the 4th round.
After playing for the Rookie-level Great Falls White Sox
and Class-A Kannapolis Intimidators
in 2005, the Intimidators and Class-A Advanced Winston-Salem Warthogs
in 2006, the Warthogs in 2007 and the Class-AA Birmingham Barons
and Class-AAA Charlotte Knights
in 2008, Richard made his major league debut with the White Sox on July 23, 2008.
Richard made the White Sox opening day roster in 2009. On July 31, 2009 Richard was traded along with Aaron Poreda
, Adam Russell
and Dexter Carter to the San Diego Padres
for former Cy Young winner Jake Peavy
.
On September 21, 2010 Richard threw his first career shutout
, giving up eight hits, two walks, and recording six strikeouts in a win against the Los Angeles Dodgers
along with a golden sombrero
at the plate, striking out four times.
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
for the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
. He is 6 feet and 5 inches tall, and weighs 240 pounds.
High school
Richard was awarded Indiana's Mr. FootballMr. Football Award (Indiana)
The Indiana Mr. Football Award is an honor given to the top high school football player in the state of Indiana.-Award winners:Professional teams listed are teams known.-External links:*...
and Mr. Baseball his senior year at McCutcheon High School
McCutcheon High School
McCutcheon High School is located in Lafayette, Indiana, off Old 231 South. It is active in the Hoosier Crossroads Conferences. For the 2005-06, McCutcheon had 1900 students enrolled....
and was also his class' valedictorian.
College
Richard accepted a scholarship to play football and baseball at the University of MichiganUniversity of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
in the fall of 2003.
Richard was redshirted for the Wolverines football team
Michigan Wolverines football
The Michigan Wolverines football program represents the University of Michigan in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. Michigan has the most all-time wins and the highest winning percentage in college football history...
his freshman year. In 2004, he battled for the starting spot on the team, but lost out to Chad Henne
Chad Henne
Chad Steven Henne is an American football quarterback for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League.He graduated from Wilson Senior High School and attended the University of Michigan...
. Richard was the Wolverine's #2 quarterback that season, but he saw limited action, mostly in blowout wins over Miami (Ohio)
Miami RedHawks football
The Miami University RedHawks, known as the Miami Redskins before 1996, are a NCAA Division I FBS college football program that competes in the Mid-American Conference...
, Indiana
Indiana Hoosiers football
The Indiana Hoosiers football program represents Indiana University Bloomington in NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football and in the Big Ten Conference.-Bowl games:...
, and Northwestern
Northwestern Wildcats football
The Northwestern Wildcats football team, representing Northwestern University, is a NCAA Division I team and member of the Big Ten Conference, with evidence of organization in 1876...
. Richard appeared in 4 total games for the Wolverines in 2004, only attempting 15 passes for 8 completions and 52 total yards.
The following spring, Richard joined the Wolverines baseball team
Michigan Wolverines baseball
The Michigan Wolverines baseball team represents the University of Michigan in NCAA Division I college baseball. Along with most other Michigan athletic teams, the baseball team participates in the Big Ten Conference...
and pitched well. In his one season in Ann Arbor, Richard pitched 21 games, mostly as a reliever and compiled a 0-1 record with a 2.43 ERA, a 1.20 WHIP, and 27 K's in 33.1 IP, good for a 7.29 K/9 innings ratio. The Wolverines were 42-19 that season and finished 4th in the Big 10 with a 17-12 conference record. They were the 3rd seed in the Atlanta Regional of the College Baseball Tournament, but were eliminated in the 2nd round of the Regionals, losing both games to South Carolina by 1 run. After starting his baseball career with moderate success, Richard dropped his football scholarship at Michigan and focused on baseball full-time.
Professional career
The White Sox selected Richard in the 8th round of the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft2005 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2005 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 7 and 8. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams...
. He was the 2nd player from Michigan drafted, the first being Chris Getz
Chris Getz
Christopher Ryan Getz is a Major League Baseball second baseman for the Kansas City Royals. Getz bats left-handed and throws right-handed.-Early life:...
, also selected by the Sox in the 4th round.
After playing for the Rookie-level Great Falls White Sox
Great Falls White Sox
The Great Falls Voyagers are a minor league baseball team based in Great Falls, Montana. This team has played continuously since 1969, and also played in the Pioneer League from 1948 to 1963....
and Class-A Kannapolis Intimidators
Kannapolis Intimidators
The Kannapolis Intimidators are a minor league baseball team in Kannapolis, North Carolina. The team is a Class Low-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox and has played in the South Atlantic League under various names and team affiliations since its inception in 1995.-Team history:The Intimidators...
in 2005, the Intimidators and Class-A Advanced Winston-Salem Warthogs
Winston-Salem Warthogs
The Winston-Salem Dash is a minor league baseball team in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA. They are a Class High-A team in the Carolina League and have been a farm team of the Chicago White Sox since 1997...
in 2006, the Warthogs in 2007 and the Class-AA Birmingham Barons
Birmingham Barons
The Birmingham Barons are a minor league baseball team based in Birmingham, Alabama. The team, which plays in the Southern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox major-league club....
and Class-AAA Charlotte Knights
Charlotte Knights
The Charlotte Knights are a minor league baseball team representing Charlotte, North Carolina. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox of the American League...
in 2008, Richard made his major league debut with the White Sox on July 23, 2008.
Richard made the White Sox opening day roster in 2009. On July 31, 2009 Richard was traded along with Aaron Poreda
Aaron Poreda
Aaron Andermon Poreda is an American professional baseball pitcher for the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball....
, Adam Russell
Adam Russell
Adam W. Russell is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball.In , Russell was selected by the Chicago White Sox in the sixth round as the 179th overall pick....
and Dexter Carter to the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
for former Cy Young winner Jake Peavy
Jake Peavy
Jacob Edward Peavy is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who plays for the Chicago White Sox. He bats and throws right-handed...
.
On September 21, 2010 Richard threw his first career shutout
Shutout (baseball)
In Major League Baseball, a shutout refers to the act by which a single pitcher pitches a complete game and does not allow the opposing team to score a run...
, giving up eight hits, two walks, and recording six strikeouts in a win against the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
along with a golden sombrero
Golden sombrero
In baseball, golden sombrero is a slang term used to describe a player's inglorious feat of striking out four times in a single game.-Origin:The term derives from hat trick, and since four is bigger than three, the rationale was that a four-strikeout performance should be referred to by a bigger...
at the plate, striking out four times.