Kevin Correia
Encyclopedia
Kevin John Correia is a Major League Baseball
pitcher
for the Pittsburgh Pirates
.
in El Cajon
, California
. He attended Grossmont Junior College and then transferred to Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
in 2000. Correia is of Portuguese
descent.
in the fourth round (127th overall) of the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft
.
In , Correia became the first player taken in the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft to reach the major leagues, and in , Baseball America
named him the organization's #6 prospect. Correia split the 2004 and seasons between the Giants and the minor leagues, and making 12 big league starts
and 16 relief
appearances between the two seasons.
Going into the season, Correia competed for the Giants' fifth starter spot with Brad Hennessey
and Jamey Wright
. Although Correia pitched well in spring training
, Wright eventually won the spot, and Correia began the season in Triple-A
with the Fresno Grizzlies
. Correia was called up to the Giants in April due to injuries and poor performance by the team's bullpen
, and was primarily used in middle relief.
Correia rejoined the Giants' starting rotation in August . After seven starts (40 innings), he had a 1.80 ERA
. In , Correia was mostly a starter, but had a 6.05 ERA during the season and became a free agent after the season.
began tweaking his delivery. In June, Correia started to lower his ERA. With the pitchers Jake Peavy
and Chris Young on the DL, Correia soon became the ace for the Padres. On June 10, Correia only allowed one run through six strong innings against the Dodgers offense. On September 25, 2009, Correia allowed six hits and struck out seven batters in a complete game shutout versus the Arizona Diamondbacks; the first of his career.
On December 12, 2009, Correia re-signed for a one year, 3 million dollar contract. On May 9, 2010, he was scratched from a start after his younger brother, Trevor, died after falling from a 60-foot cliff while hiking on Santa Cruz Island
.
On March 24, 2011, the Pirates named Correia their Opening Day starter. As of late June 2011, Correia was tied for the major league lead in wins.
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 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...
.
Early life
He attended Grossmont High SchoolGrossmont High School
Grossmont High School is the oldest high school in San Diego's east county, California. Its mascot is the Foothiller, so chosen because, at the time of the school’s construction, east county was much more isolated from the rest of San Diego than it is today and was often referred to as the...
in El Cajon
El Cajon, California
-History:El Cajon is located on the Rancho El Cajon Mexican land grant made in 1845 to María Antonia Estudillo, wife of Miguel Pedrorena. In 1876 Amaziah Lord Knox , a New Englander who had recently moved to California, established a hotel there to serve the growing number of people traveling...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. He attended Grossmont Junior College and then transferred to Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
California Polytechnic State University
California Polytechnic State University, or Cal Poly, is a public university located in San Luis Obispo, California, United States. The university is one of two polytechnic campuses in the 23-member California State University system....
in 2000. Correia is of Portuguese
Portuguese people
The Portuguese are a nation and ethnic group native to the country of Portugal, in the west of the Iberian peninsula of south-west Europe. Their language is Portuguese, and Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion....
descent.
San Francisco Giants
He was drafted by the San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
in the fourth round (127th overall) of the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft
2002 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2002 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 4 and 5.This year's draft is featured in Michael Lewis' 2003 book Moneyball.-First Round Selections:-Supplemental First Round Compensation Selections:...
.
In , Correia became the first player taken in the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft to reach the major leagues, and in , Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
named him the organization's #6 prospect. Correia split the 2004 and seasons between the Giants and the minor leagues, and making 12 big league starts
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
and 16 relief
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
appearances between the two seasons.
Going into the season, Correia competed for the Giants' fifth starter spot with Brad Hennessey
Brad Hennessey
Brad Martin Hennessey is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He attended Whitmer High School.-Professional career:...
and Jamey Wright
Jamey Wright
Jamey Alan Wright is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent.-Career:...
. Although Correia pitched well in spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
, Wright eventually won the spot, and Correia began the season in Triple-A
AAA (baseball)
Triple-A refers to the highest level of play in minor league baseball in the United States and Mexico.-Purpose:Triple-A teams' main purpose is to prepare players for the Major Leagues:...
with the Fresno Grizzlies
Fresno Grizzlies
The Fresno Grizzlies are a minor league baseball team based in Fresno, California. The team, which plays in the Pacific Coast League , is the Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants major league club. The Grizzlies play in Chukchansi Park , located in downtown Fresno and built in 2002...
. Correia was called up to the Giants in April due to injuries and poor performance by the team's bullpen
Bullpen
In baseball, the bullpen is the area where relief pitchers warm-up before entering a game. Depending on the ballpark, it may be situated in foul territory along the baselines or just beyond the outfield fence. Also, a team's roster of relief pitchers is metonymically referred to as "the bullpen"...
, and was primarily used in middle relief.
Correia rejoined the Giants' starting rotation in August . After seven starts (40 innings), he had a 1.80 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...
. In , Correia was mostly a starter, but had a 6.05 ERA during the season and became a free agent after the season.
San Diego Padres
In 2009, Correia had a slow start, with an ERA above 5.00+. Padres pitching coach Darren BalsleyDarren Balsley
Darren Balsley is the current pitching coach at Major League Baseball's San Diego Padres franchise. He was a minor-league pitcher before he decided to go into coaching. He went to Mount Carmel High School in San Diego and attended Palomar College. He has been in his current role since May 17, 2003...
began tweaking his delivery. In June, Correia started to lower his ERA. With the pitchers 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...
and Chris Young on the DL, Correia soon became the ace for the Padres. On June 10, Correia only allowed one run through six strong innings against the Dodgers offense. On September 25, 2009, Correia allowed six hits and struck out seven batters in a complete game shutout versus the Arizona Diamondbacks; the first of his career.
On December 12, 2009, Correia re-signed for a one year, 3 million dollar contract. On May 9, 2010, he was scratched from a start after his younger brother, Trevor, died after falling from a 60-foot cliff while hiking on Santa Cruz Island
Santa Cruz Island
Santa Cruz Island was the largest privately owned island off the continental United States, but is currently part-owned by the National Park service . The island, located off the coast of California, is long and from wide...
.
Pittsburgh Pirates
On December 17, 2010, the Pirates signed Correia to a 2 year, $8 million deal.On March 24, 2011, the Pirates named Correia their Opening Day starter. As of late June 2011, Correia was tied for the major league lead in wins.