Eddie Kunz
Encyclopedia
Edward Cory Kunz is an American Major League Baseball
pitcher
for the San Diego Padres
.
. He attended Parkrose High School
, where he played football
, basketball
, and baseball. He was a preseason All-America
n second-team in for the Oregon State Beavers
.
. Less than a year later, on August 3, , he was called up to the Major Leagues from the Double-A affiliate, Binghamton Mets
, after having a 2.79 ERA
with 27 saves in 44 games.
That day, in his Major League debut, he pitched a scoreless seventh inning. However, two weeks later, after struggling and the Mets' trade for Luis Ayala
, he was demoted back to the minors.
On November 5, 2010, Kunz was sent down to the minors to Triple-A Buffalo
along with Jesús Feliciano
and Raul Valdes
. Along with them were Mike Hessman
and Omir Santos
who then became free-agents after refusing their minor league assignment.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
pitcher
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...
.
Early life and amateur career
Kunz was born in Portland, OregonPortland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
. He attended Parkrose High School
Parkrose High School
Parkrose High School is a public high school in Portland, Oregon, United States. It is the only high school in the Parkrose School District.-Academics:...
, where he played football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
, basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
, and baseball. He was a preseason All-America
All-America
An All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
n second-team in for the Oregon State Beavers
Oregon State Beavers
The Oregon State Beavers is a name shared by all sports teams at Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon. The Beavers are part of the Pacific-12 Conference . Oregon State's mascot is Benny the Beaver...
.
New York Mets
On August 24, , the New York Mets signed Kunz after they selected him 42nd overall in the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft2007 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2007 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft was Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft of high school and college baseball players, and was held on June 7 and June 8, 2007...
. Less than a year later, on August 3, , he was called up to the Major Leagues from the Double-A affiliate, Binghamton Mets
Binghamton Mets
The Binghamton Mets are a U.S. minor league baseball team based in Binghamton, New York. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the New York Mets major-league club...
, after having a 2.79 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
with 27 saves in 44 games.
That day, in his Major League debut, he pitched a scoreless seventh inning. However, two weeks later, after struggling and the Mets' trade for Luis Ayala
Luis Ayala
Luis Ignacio Ayala is a Major League Baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He is 6' 2" and weighs 190 lbs. and bats and throws right-handed.-Mexican League:...
, he was demoted back to the minors.
On November 5, 2010, Kunz was sent down to the minors to Triple-A Buffalo
Buffalo Bisons
The Buffalo Bisons are a minor league baseball team based in Buffalo, New York. They currently play in the International League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets...
along with Jesús Feliciano
Jesús Feliciano
Jesús Feliciano is a Puerto Rican professional baseball player. He currently plays for the New York Mets organization...
and Raul Valdes
Raúl Valdés
Raúl Valdés is a Cuban professional baseball pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball.-Chicago Cubs:...
. Along with them were Mike Hessman
Mike Hessman
Michael Steven Hessman is a third baseman who plays for the Orix Buffaloes in Nippon Professional Baseball's Pacific League...
and Omir Santos
Omir Santos
Omir Santos Rios is a Major League Baseball catcher. Santos has played for the Baltimore Orioles, New York Mets and Detroit Tigers.-Career:...
who then became free-agents after refusing their minor league assignment.