Jose Ascanio
Encyclopedia
José Eleazar Ascanio is a Venezuela
n professional baseball
pitcher
for the Pittsburgh Pirates
of Major League Baseball
.
in 2001
by Atlanta. He began his professional career with the GCL Braves
, where he went 4-1 with a 1.37 ERA
and 17 strikeout
s at age 18. The next year, with the Rome Braves
, he went 3-3, with a 3.84 ERA and 64 strikeouts, as well as a career-high 9 saves
, in 34 games.
In 2005
, he played in 5 games for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans
, recording 3 wins, 1 loss, a 6.10 ERA, and a career-low 12 K, before being sidelined with a fractured back injury.
On July 13, 2007
, Ascanio was called up by the Braves after Wilfredo Ledezma
had trouble getting back to the U.S. after going home to Venezuela during the All-Star break. Ascanio made his debut the same day, pitching the ninth inning of a 9-1 win. Ascanio allowed one run on three hits in his first Major League appearance, striking out two in the process. He was sent down on July 31 and called up again on August 24. He earned his first Major League
win on September 14 pitching the last two innings of a 13-inning game. He finished the season 1-1 with a 5.06 ERA.
On December 4, 2007, Ascanio was traded to the Chicago Cubs for reliever Will Ohman
and infielder Omar Infante
.
On May 10, 2009, Ascanio was called up by the Cubs from Triple-A Iowa after possessing a 1.01 ERA in 26 2/3 innings pitched as a starter. He was expected to start in the back of the bullpen.
On July 30, 2009, Ascanio was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates with Kevin Hart
and Josh Harrison
for John Grabow
and Tom Gorzelanny
.
The Pirates designated him for assignment on June 7, 2011.
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
n professional baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
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 Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
of Major League Baseball
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...
.
Baseball career
Ascanio was signed as an undrafted free agentFree agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
in 2001
2001 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*Regular Season Champions*World Series Champion - Arizona Diamondbacks*Postseason - October 9 to November 4Click on any series score to link to that series' page....
by Atlanta. He began his professional career with the GCL Braves
Orlando Braves
The Gulf Coast League Braves are the Rookie Level minor league baseball affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. The team plays at the Walt Disney World Resort at Champion Stadium at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex....
, where he went 4-1 with a 1.37 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...
and 17 strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s at age 18. The next year, with the Rome Braves
Rome Braves
The Rome Braves are a Class-A minor league affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. In 2003, the team, previously known as the Macon Braves, moved from Macon, Georgia, to Rome, Georgia, 60 miles northwest of Atlanta....
, he went 3-3, with a 3.84 ERA and 64 strikeouts, as well as a career-high 9 saves
Save (sport)
In baseball, a save is credited to a pitcher who finishes a game for the winning team under certain prescribed circumstances. The number of saves, or percentage of save opportunities successfully converted, is an oft-cited statistic of relief pitchers...
, in 34 games.
In 2005
2005 in baseball
-Headline events of the year:*Chicago White Sox swept the Houston Astros to win the 2005 World Series.*2005 also marked the inaugural season of the Washington Nationals, who relocated from Montreal and were formerly known as the Expos....
, he played in 5 games for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans
Myrtle Beach Pelicans
The Myrtle Beach Pelicans are a minor league baseball team in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. They are a Class A Advanced team in the Carolina League and the franchise is currently the farm team of the Texas Rangers. From their inaugural season until 2010, the Pelicans were an affiliate of the...
, recording 3 wins, 1 loss, a 6.10 ERA, and a career-low 12 K, before being sidelined with a fractured back injury.
On July 13, 2007
2007 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*Regular Season Champions*World Series Champion – [Boston Red Sox]*Postseason – October 2 to October 28Click on any series score to link to that series' page....
, Ascanio was called up by the Braves after Wilfredo Ledezma
Wilfredo Ledezma
Wilfredo Jose Ledezma is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher who is with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. He has previously played for the Detroit Tigers, Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, Arizona Diamondbacks, Washington Nationals, and Pittsburgh Pirates...
had trouble getting back to the U.S. after going home to Venezuela during the All-Star break. Ascanio made his debut the same day, pitching the ninth inning of a 9-1 win. Ascanio allowed one run on three hits in his first Major League appearance, striking out two in the process. He was sent down on July 31 and called up again on August 24. He earned his first Major League
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...
win on September 14 pitching the last two innings of a 13-inning game. He finished the season 1-1 with a 5.06 ERA.
On December 4, 2007, Ascanio was traded to the Chicago Cubs for reliever Will Ohman
Will Ohman
William McDaniel Ohman is a left-handed pitcher, who is currently a member of the Chicago White Sox. He lives in Agoura Hills, California.-Chicago Cubs:...
and infielder Omar Infante
Omar Infante
Omar Rafael Infante [in-FAHN-tay] is a Major League Baseball utility player who is currently on the Miami Marlins...
.
On May 10, 2009, Ascanio was called up by the Cubs from Triple-A Iowa after possessing a 1.01 ERA in 26 2/3 innings pitched as a starter. He was expected to start in the back of the bullpen.
On July 30, 2009, Ascanio was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates with Kevin Hart
Kevin Hart (baseball)
Kevin Richard Hart is a professional baseball pitcher who is currently playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates.-Career:...
and Josh Harrison
Josh Harrison
Joshua I. Harrison aka "J-Hay" or "J-Hay da Man" is an American professional baseball second baseman for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball...
for John Grabow
John Grabow
John William Grabow, nicknamed "Grabes" , is a Major League Baseball left-handed reliever....
and Tom Gorzelanny
Tom Gorzelanny
Thomas Stephen Gorzelanny is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Washington Nationals.-Personal life:Tom grew up in Chicago, IL, graduating from Marist High School in 2000...
.
The Pirates designated him for assignment on June 7, 2011.