Kevin Gunderson
Encyclopedia
Kevin Gunderson is a Minor League Baseball
pitcher
who played for the Oregon State Beavers
of Oregon State University
before being drafted by the Atlanta Braves
.
. He had a key part in the final series between Oregon State and the North Carolina Tar Heels
. Gunderson had relief stints in games two and three of the final series, picking up the win in game two and a save in game three. He was named to the All-Tournament Team in 2006. At Oregon State he majored in Communications, and was an All-America
n in both 2005 and 2006. He was also a member of the Team USA national team along with his OSU teammate, Jonah Nickerson. Gunderson came to Oregon State from Central Catholic High School
in Portland, Oregon where he was a member of the All-State team.
. After signing he was sent to play for the Danville Braves
to have a Minor League Baseball
career before having a shot in the big leagues. After pitching just one game for Danville, because the college season runs into part of the rookie minor league season, Gunderson was relocated to the Rome Braves
. He moved up to the A-Advanced Myrtle Beach Pelicans
in April, 2007. In 2008 Gunderson split time between Myrtle Beach and the AA Mississippi Braves
. In 2009 Gunderson split time between Mississippe and the AAA Gwinnett Braves
.
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
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...
who played 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...
of Oregon State University
Oregon State University
Oregon State University is a coeducational, public research university located in Corvallis, Oregon, United States. The university offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees and a multitude of research opportunities. There are more than 200 academic degree programs offered through the...
before being drafted by the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
.
College career
Gunderson pitched for Oregon State from 2004-2006, including pitching games in the 2006 College World Series2006 College World Series
The 2006 College World Series was held June 16-26 in Omaha, Nebraska; it was the 60th College World Series and the 57th series held in Omaha. Eight NCAA Division I college baseball teams met after having advanced through a 64-team bracket to play at historic Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium...
. He had a key part in the final series between Oregon State and the North Carolina Tar Heels
North Carolina Tar Heels
The North Carolina Tar Heels are the athletic teams for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The name Tar Heel is a nickname used to refer to individuals from the state of North Carolina, the Tar Heel State...
. Gunderson had relief stints in games two and three of the final series, picking up the win in game two and a save in game three. He was named to the All-Tournament Team in 2006. At Oregon State he majored in Communications, and was an 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 in both 2005 and 2006. He was also a member of the Team USA national team along with his OSU teammate, Jonah Nickerson. Gunderson came to Oregon State from Central Catholic High School
Central Catholic High School (Portland, Oregon)
Central Catholic High School is a co-educational, private high school in Portland, Oregon, United States. Central Catholic is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church, and is the only archdiocesan high school in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Portland....
in Portland, Oregon where he was a member of the All-State team.
Minor League career
Gunderson was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the fifth round of the 2006 MLB draftMLB Draft
The First-Year Player Draft, also known as the Rule 4 Draft, is Major League Baseball's primary mechanism for assigning amateur baseball players, from high schools, colleges, and other amateur baseball clubs, to its teams. The draft order is determined based on the previous season's standings, with...
. After signing he was sent to play for the Danville Braves
Danville Braves
The Danville Braves are a minor league baseball team in Danville, Virginia, USA. They are an Advanced Rookie-level team in the Appalachian League and have been a farm team of the Atlanta Braves since 1993. The Braves play home games at American Legion Post 325 Field...
to have a Minor League Baseball
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
career before having a shot in the big leagues. After pitching just one game for Danville, because the college season runs into part of the rookie minor league season, Gunderson was relocated to 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 moved up to the A-Advanced 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...
in April, 2007. In 2008 Gunderson split time between Myrtle Beach and the AA Mississippi Braves
Mississippi Braves
The Mississippi Braves, or M-Braves as they are referred to locally, are a minor league baseball team based in Pearl, Mississippi, a suburb of Jackson. The team is the Class AA affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, and plays in the Southern League. The team is owned and operated by Liberty Media, which...
. In 2009 Gunderson split time between Mississippe and the AAA Gwinnett Braves
Gwinnett Braves
The Gwinnett Braves are a minor league baseball team in the International League, the Triple-A affiliate of the major league Atlanta Braves. The team was previously the Richmond Braves for 43 seasons . On January 14, 2008, it was announced that the Richmond Braves would move from Richmond,...
.