Kyle Sleeth
Encyclopedia
Kyle A. Sleeth is a former starting pitcher
in the Detroit Tigers
organization. Once touted as one of Major League Baseball's
top prospects, his career in the Tigers' minor league organization was marred by injuries and he progressed no higher than Double-A; nonetheless, he showed enough promise to be placed on the Tigers' 40-man roster.
Sleeth was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles
in the 18th round (534th overall) in the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft
, but did not sign and instead attended Wake Forest
. As a freshman in , he went 10-3 with a 5.08 ERA
and 56 strikeout
s in 78.2 innings pitched to lead the nationally ranked Demon Deacons in wins
. In , Sleeth went undefeated with a 14-0 record with a 2.97 ERA and 113 strikeouts in 118.1 innings pitched. He led the Atlantic Coast Conference
in wins, was second in the conference in strikeouts, and third in ERA. Baseball America
named Sleeth the top pitching prospect in college baseball that year.
In , Sleeth returned for another year, going 7-3 with a 2.81 ERA and 102 strikeouts. He earned a spot on the All-Conference first team. On March 28, 2003, Sleeth tied the NCAA record for consecutive victories against Duke
with his 26th straight win. He lost the bid to break the record losing against Florida State University
on April 4, 2003. The 26 consecutive wins left him tied with former Brigham Young University
pitcher
Scott Nielsen
, who established the mark in the and - seasons. USA Baseball
named Sleeth a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award
, given to the top amateur baseball player in the country.
Sleeth would become the 3rd overall pick in the 1st round in the 2003 Major League Baseball Draft
for the Detroit Tigers. He did not sign his professional contract until August, delaying his professional debut until the following year.
He missed the and part of the season when he underwent Tommy John surgery
on June 9. He announced his retirement March 28, .
Kyle married Sarah Pickar in 2007. In 2009, the couple purchased the franchise rights to Central Florida for Floyd's 99 Barbershop. They opened their first Floyd's 99 store in Orlando on March 11, 2010.
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....
in the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
organization. Once touted as one of Major League Baseball's
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...
top prospects, his career in the Tigers' minor league organization was marred by injuries and he progressed no higher than Double-A; nonetheless, he showed enough promise to be placed on the Tigers' 40-man roster.
Sleeth was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
in the 18th round (534th overall) in the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft
2000 Major League Baseball Draft
-First Round Selections:-Compensation picks:- Background :The Florida Marlins made Adrian Gonzalez of Eastlake High School in Chula Vista, CA the first overall selection in the 2000 First-Year Player Draft...
, but did not sign and instead attended Wake Forest
Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University is a private, coeducational university in the U.S. state of North Carolina, founded in 1834. The university received its name from its original location in Wake Forest, north of Raleigh, North Carolina, the state capital. The Reynolda Campus, the university's main campus, is...
. As a freshman in , he went 10-3 with a 5.08 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 56 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 in 78.2 innings pitched to lead the nationally ranked Demon Deacons in wins
Win (baseball)
In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...
. In , Sleeth went undefeated with a 14-0 record with a 2.97 ERA and 113 strikeouts in 118.1 innings pitched. He led the Atlantic Coast Conference
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
in wins, was second in the conference in strikeouts, and third in ERA. 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 Sleeth the top pitching prospect in college baseball that year.
In , Sleeth returned for another year, going 7-3 with a 2.81 ERA and 102 strikeouts. He earned a spot on the All-Conference first team. On March 28, 2003, Sleeth tied the NCAA record for consecutive victories against Duke
Duke
A duke or duchess is a member of the nobility, historically of highest rank below the monarch, and historically controlling a duchy...
with his 26th straight win. He lost the bid to break the record losing against Florida State University
Florida State University
The Florida State University is a space-grant and sea-grant public university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. It is a comprehensive doctoral research university with medical programs and significant research activity as determined by the Carnegie Foundation...
on April 4, 2003. The 26 consecutive wins left him tied with former Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University is a private university located in Provo, Utah. It is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and is the United States' largest religious university and third-largest private university.Approximately 98% of the university's 34,000 students...
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...
Scott Nielsen
Scott Nielsen
Jeffrey Scott Nielsen is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher. He played during four seasons at the major league level for the New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox. He was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 6th round of the amateur draft...
, who established the mark in the and - seasons. USA Baseball
USA Baseball
USA Baseball was founded in , and is the governing body for amateur baseball in the United States of America. It is a member of the United States Olympic Committee and organizes the United States national baseball team...
named Sleeth a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award
Golden Spikes Award
The Golden Spikes Award is awarded annually to the best amateur baseball player. It is awarded by USA Baseball and sponsored by the Major League Baseball Players Association. Though the award can be presented to any amateur player, it has always been given to a college baseball player.-Past...
, given to the top amateur baseball player in the country.
Sleeth would become the 3rd overall pick in the 1st round in the 2003 Major League Baseball Draft
2003 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2003 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 3 and 4. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams.Source: -First round selections:...
for the Detroit Tigers. He did not sign his professional contract until August, delaying his professional debut until the following year.
He missed the and part of the season when he underwent Tommy John surgery
Tommy John surgery
Tommy John surgery, known in medical practice as ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, is a surgical procedure in which a ligament in the medial elbow is replaced with a tendon from elsewhere in the body...
on June 9. He announced his retirement March 28, .
Kyle married Sarah Pickar in 2007. In 2009, the couple purchased the franchise rights to Central Florida for Floyd's 99 Barbershop. They opened their first Floyd's 99 store in Orlando on March 11, 2010.