Matt Palmer
Encyclopedia
Jonathan Matthew "Matt" Palmer (born March 21, 1979 in Memphis, Tennessee
) is an American
professional baseball
pitcher
who is a free agent. He bats and throws right-handed. He attended Southwest Missouri State University
.
in the 31st round of the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft
, Palmer started his professional career strong by having a 1.83 ERA
in with the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes
. But Palmer spent three seasons in Double-A before earning a promotion to Triple-A Fresno
in . In , Palmer pitched 150 innings for Fresno, recording an 11-8 record with a 4.32 ERA.
On August 14, , Palmer was called up by the Giants. After making 3 starts, he was sent back to Triple-A and became a free agent at the end of the season.
with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
. Palmer made his major league debut for the Angels on April 24, , earning the win after pitching six innings, giving up five runs on six hits, three walks, and one strikeout. He continued in the Angels starting rotation amassing a 7-1 record until he was moved to the bullpen on July 1, 2009 when Ervin Santana
returned to the Angels rotation. He finished the season 11-2 with a 3.93 ERA. His elevated win and loss record is helped by the fact that the Angels lineup scored 7.47 runs per game and scored in double figures five times he pitched.
.
However, the signing of Joel Pineiro
has more than likely diminished any chances of Palmer in the starting rotation, and he will likely return to the bullpen for the 2010 season to compete for a long-relief spot against Brian Stokes
.
On September 7, 2010 Palmer was activated from the DL along with Mark Trumbo
, Bobby Cassevah
, Kevin Frandsen
from Salt Lake City Bees after the release of Brian Stokes
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
) is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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...
who is a free agent. He bats and throws right-handed. He attended Southwest Missouri State University
Missouri State University
Missouri State University is a public university located in Springfield, Missouri, United States and founded in 1905. It is the state's second largest university, with an official enrollment of 20,802 in fall 2011...
.
San Francisco Giants
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 31st round 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:...
, Palmer started his professional career strong by having a 1.83 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 with the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes
Salem-Keizer Volcanoes
The Salem-Keizer Volcanoes are a minor league baseball team in Keizer, Oregon, United States. They are a Short-Season Class A team in the Northwest League, and have been an affiliate of the San Francisco Giants since the Volcanoes' inception in 1997...
. But Palmer spent three seasons in Double-A before earning a promotion to Triple-A Fresno
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...
in . In , Palmer pitched 150 innings for Fresno, recording an 11-8 record with a 4.32 ERA.
On August 14, , Palmer was called up by the Giants. After making 3 starts, he was sent back to Triple-A and became a free agent at the end of the season.
2008 Season
In December 2008, he signed a minor league contract with an invitation to spring trainingSpring 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...
with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
2009 Season
In 2009, Palmer would come on as a fifth starter, as the Angels starting rotation struggled to overcome injuries and the tragic death of rookie Nick AdenhartNick Adenhart
Nicholas James Adenhart was an American right-handed baseball starting pitcher who played two seasons in Major League Baseball for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim...
. Palmer made his major league debut for the Angels on April 24, , earning the win after pitching six innings, giving up five runs on six hits, three walks, and one strikeout. He continued in the Angels starting rotation amassing a 7-1 record until he was moved to the bullpen on July 1, 2009 when Ervin Santana
Ervin Santana
Ervin Ramon Santana is a Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.-Name:...
returned to the Angels rotation. He finished the season 11-2 with a 3.93 ERA. His elevated win and loss record is helped by the fact that the Angels lineup scored 7.47 runs per game and scored in double figures five times he pitched.
2010 Season
In 2010, Palmer was seen as a possible fifth starter after Angels ace John Lackey signed with the Boston Red SoxBoston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
.
However, the signing of Joel Pineiro
Joel Piñeiro
Joel Alberto Piñeiro is a Puerto Rican Major League Baseball starting pitcher. He is 6'1" tall and weighs 200 pounds. He is right-handed and made his major league debut on August 8, .-Career:...
has more than likely diminished any chances of Palmer in the starting rotation, and he will likely return to the bullpen for the 2010 season to compete for a long-relief spot against Brian Stokes
Brian Stokes
Brian Alexander Stokes is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball...
.
On September 7, 2010 Palmer was activated from the DL along with Mark Trumbo
Mark Trumbo
Mark Daniel Trumbo is a Major League Baseball infielder for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.-Career:He played high school baseball at Villa Park High School, and graduated in 2004....
, Bobby Cassevah
Bobby Cassevah
Robert Alan Cassevah is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim....
, Kevin Frandsen
Kevin Frandsen
Kevin Vincent Frandsen is a Major League Baseball third baseman who is currently in the Philadelphia Phillies organization.-Career:...
from Salt Lake City Bees after the release of Brian Stokes