June 23, 2003
The past few weeks of the Major League Baseball season have been noteworthy for two former Notre Dame pitchers who were first-round picks in previous MLB drafts, as Aaron Heilman (Logansport, Ind.) is slated to make his Major League debut with the New York Mets on Thursday at Shea Stadium, versus the Florida Marlins – just 15 days after Brad Lidge (Englewood, Colo.) was the pitcher of record in the Houston Astros’ historic no-hitter at crosstown Yankees Stadium (the first by an opposing team in the storied venue since 1952).
Heilman started on Sunday for the triple-A Norfolk Tides in their road game versus the Columbus Clippers, logging just three innings, and 52 pitches as a tuneup for Thursday. Providing another ironic twist was the presence of the starting pitcher for the Clippers – Christian Parker (Albuquerque, N.M.) – yet another former Notre Dame pitcher who made his big-league debut at Yankee Stadium in the opening week of the 2001 season (still another former ND pitcher, lefthander Chris Michalak, was in the opposing dugout that day with his Toronto Blue Jays teammates).
Heilman’s “long-awaited debut” is contingent on there being no further weather issues (rainouts) this week in Queens, per mlb.com.
The 18th overall pick in the 2001 draft, Heilman has made a quick rise through the Mets system, posting a 3.33 overall ERA and 12-12 record in 50 combined appearances with single-A St. Lucie, double-A Binghamton and triple-A Norfolk. He currently owns a 3.24 ERA and 6-4 record in 16 starts with the Tides, plus 71 strikeouts, 32 walks and 99 hits allowed in 94.1 innings.
Lidge – the 17th overall pick in the 1998 draft (by Houston) – was awarded the win in the June 11 no-hitter vs. the New York Yankees (8-0), as the fourth of an unprecedented six pitchers in that no-hit effort (after starter Row Oswalt left due to injury, in the second inning). Lidge retired all six batters he faced in the sixth and seventh innings, including strikeouts of Todd Zeile and Raul Mondesi before handing things over to Octavio Dotel.
Considered one of the top candidates for National League rookie of the year, Lidge owns a 1.40 ERA, 4-0 record and one save in 37 relief appearances this season with the Astros. He is averaging better than one strikeout per inning (50 Ks in 45.0 IP) with just 20 walks, 28 hits allowed an a .181 opponent batting average.
Heilman – who developed from a 54th-round draft pick out of high school into a 1st-rounder while working with Irish pitching coach Brian O’Connor – is set to become Notre Dame’s third current Major Leaguer, with Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Craig Counsell (Whitefish Bay, Wis.) currently sidelined due to a thumb injury.
The above individuals are part of 15 former Notre Dame players currently playing on various levels of pro baseball – including three leage all-stars in Texas League players Steve Stanley and Danny Tamayo and Midwest League player Brian Stavisky (see full list and stats below, plus additional notes on Heilman and Lidge).
Here are some website links for stories on Heilman and Lidge, plus helpful links for tracking minor-league players:
http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/nym/news/nym_news.jsp?ymd=20030622&content_id=387707&vkey=news_nym&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyn
http://houston.astros.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/news/interleague/astros_nohitter_03.jsp
http://und.ocsn.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/heilman_aaron01.html
http://und.ocsn.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/052301aaa.html
http://www.baseball-links.com/links/Minor_Leagues/
| Heilman Minor-League Stats | ERA | W-L | GP | GS | IP | H | R | ER | BB | Ks |
| St. Lucie Mets (A, ’01) | 2.35 | 0-1 | 7 | 7 | 38.1 | 26 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 39 |
| Binghamton Mets (AA, ’02) | 3.82 | 4-4 | 17 | 17 | 96.2 | 85 | 43 | 41 | 28 | 97 |
| Norfolk Tides (AAA, ’02) | 3.28 | 2-3 | 10 | 7 | 49.1 | 42 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 35 |
| Norfolk Tides (AAA, ’03) | 3.24 | 6-4 | 16 | 16 | 94.1 | 99 | 37 | 34 | 32 | 71 |
| Totals | 3.33 | 12-12 | 50 | 47 | 278.2 | 252 | 109 | 103 | 89 | 242 |
Nine-Inning Averages: 8.2 hits, 2.9 walks, 7.8 strikeouts (2.7 K-to-BB ratio)
Aaron Heilman Notes – 1-2 with 4.05 ERA in 5 GP (2 GS) at ’03 Spring Training, losing 5th starter’s spot in battle that included Mike Bacsik and Jason Middlebrook (eventually won by darkhorse Jae Weong Seo) … the Mets rotation Marlins series is slated to be Al Leiter, Steve Trachsel and Heilman … one of 19 all-time ND student-athletes (five from team-oriented sport) to be four-year All-American … ranked among all-time leaders in 15 of 16 career categories in ND baseball record book (no other pitcher listed more than 10), ranking no lower than 5th … ND’s all-time leader in wins (43-7), Ks (425), IP (393.2) and double-digit K games (7), ranking 2nd in career ERA (2.49, best since ’61), complete games (26, best since 1900) and K-to-walk ratio (3.66) and 3rd in saves (12), win pct. (.860, 43-7) and GP (83) …4th at ND in career shutouts (6), starts (44), consecutive wins (15) and strikeout ratio (9.72 per 9 IP), plus 5th in fewest hits allowed per 9 IP (6.74) and a .200 career opp. batting avg. … one of just six consensus ’01 first team All-Americans and a national player-of-the-year finalist, after going 15-0 (nation’s only undefeated pitcher with 13-plus wins) with a 1.74 ERA (6th in nation), 111 Ks, 31 walks and 70 hits allowed (.173 opp. avg.) in 114 IP … 54th-round draft pick out of high school (’97, by the N.Y. Yankees) and 31st overall pick in 2000 (as “sandwich” or compensation pick, by the Minnesota Twins), before opting to return to ND for senior year … became 14th Div. I pitcher known to total 40-plus wins and 400-plus Ks in his career, with the previous 13 including Santa Clara’s Rick Troedsen, ASU’s Greg Swan and Eddie Bane, Texas aces Richard Wortham, Greg Swindell and Kirk Dressendorfer, Hawaii’s Derek Tatsuno, Fresno State’s John Hoover, Florida State’s Mike Loynd, Clemson’s Brian Barnes, Georgia Tech’s Doug Creek, Auburn’s John Powell and South Carolina’s Kip Bouknight … owns top-three season K totals in ND history (118 in ’99 and ’00; 111 in ’01) … named national freshman of the year in ’99, after leading nation in ERA as Irish closer (1.61), including 31-inning shutout streak … won 25 of final 26 decisions at ND … posted 24-3 record and 2.14 ERA in games away from home … averaged 33 IP per HR allowed in ND career … struck out 18 West Virginia batters in 7-inning game that extended to 10 (April 15, 2000; 3-1 win), tying BIG EAST record and one shy of ND record … 10-time BIG EAST pitcher of the week, first pitcher ever named all-BIG EAST in four seasons and joined Charles Nagy (UConn, ’87-’88) as only repeat BIG EAST pitchers of the year … made triple-A debut in home state (’02), with eight shutout IP vs. Indianapolis Indians (4-0; 3 H, 3 Ks).
Notre Dame 2003 Pro Baseball Update (June 23, 2003)
Former Irish pitcher Brad Lidge picked up the win as the fourth of six pitchers in the Houston Astros’ historic no-hitter vs. the New York Yankees and is a top candidate for NL rookie of the year.
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Brad Lidge Notes – Winning pitcher in just the 9th combined no-hitter in MLB history (since 1900), with the six pitchers an all-time high for a no-hitter … the last no-hitter vs. the Yankees was a 1-0 game in Baltimore on Sept. 20, 1958, by Orioles knuckleballer and rare starter Hoyt Wilhelm (Detroit fireballer Virgil Trucks was the last to no-hit the Yankees at Yankee Stadium, in a 1-0 game in 1952) … the Yankees had played 6,980 games since last being no-hit … the six pitchers include starter Row Oswalt (1.0-plus IP), Pete Munro (2.2 IP, 3 BB, HB), Kirk Saarloos (1.2 IP), Lidge (2.0 IP, 2 Ks), Octavio Dotel (1.0 IP, 4 Ks, WP) and Billy Wagner (1.0 IP, 2 Ks) … noted baseball history buff who was quoted as follows after the game: “I am probably the most excited person. I think I would have to be because I’m a big baseball history and trivia guy. It’s amazing just to be part of something like this. I’m not going to be able to sleep that well tonight. It’s the highlight of my career. It’ll obviously be something I’ll always remember. For me, I think this is the best thing I’ve ever been a part of.” … an article on mlb.com cited Lidge for his “very good” slider and low-90s fastball that have prompted talk that “he may be a closer some day.”
Former Notre Dame Baseball Players In Pro Baseball (stats as of June 22, 2003)
Andrew Bushey
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Matt Bok (C/OF; Dodgers single-A Ogden Raptors, Pioneer League) – batting 0-for-4 in 2 GP, RBI, SF, K (season started in mid-June).
Andrew Bushey (C/1B; Rockies single-A Tri-City Dust Devils, Northwest League) – batting .182 (2-for-11) in 3 GP … 2 R, BB, 3 Ks … .182 slugging, .250 on-base … 3 starts at 1B.
Craig Counsell
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Craig Counsell (IF; Arizona Diamondbacks) – on DL after 31 GP … was batting .276 (32-for-116) … 10 RBI, HR, 3B, 4 2B … 18 R, 29 BB, 16 Ks, 5-7 SB … .353 slugging, .387 on-base … .991 fielding (1 E) while splitting time at 2B, SS and 3B.
J.P. Gagne (Rockies single-A Tri-City Dust Devils, Northwest League) – owns 2.70 ERA, 0-1 record and one save in 3 GP … 3 H, 2 BB, K in 3.1 IP.
Aaron Heilman (Mets triple-A Norfolk Tides, International League) – owns 3.24 ERA and 6-4 record in 16 GS … 99 H (.274 opp. avg.), 32 BB, 71 Ks in 94.1 IP … 5 HR, 2 HB, WP … 0-for-5 batting (2 Ks).
Ryan Kalita (Cubs draftee, yet to report to minor-league team due to illness)
Paul O’Toole
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Tim Kalita (LHP; Tigers double-A Erie Sea Wolves, Eastern League) – owns 7.15 ERA and 0-5 record in 15 GP/10 GS … 75 H (.344 opp. avg.), 23 BB, 29 Ks in 50.1 IP … 7 HR, 2 HB, 5 WP, BK.
Brad Lidge (RHP; Houston Astros) – one of top candidates for NL rookie of the year, as top setup man … owns 1.40 ERA, 4-0 record and one save in 37 GP … 28 H (.181 opp. avg.), 20 BB (5 of them intentional), 50 Ks in 45.0 IP … 0 HR, 4 HB, 2 WP … .239 opp. slugging, .287 on-base … 10 holds, 2.0 K-to-BB ratio, 10.0 Ks per 9 IP.
Chris Michalak (LHP; Rockies triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox, Pacific Coast League) – owns 4.02 ERA, 6-6 record and a save in 17 GP/13 GS … 93 H (.275 opp. avg.), 37 BB, 55 Ks in 87.1 IP … 13 HR, 5 HB, 2 WP, 3 BK, 2 Es … also batting .190 (4-for-21, 2 RBI, R, 3 sac. bunts, BB, 7 Ks).
Christian Parker
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Paul O’Toole (C/3B/1B; single-A Daytona Cubs, Florida State League) – batting .210 (17-for-81) in 30 GP… 10 RBI, 0 HR, 3 2B … 9 R, 14 BB, 2 HBP, 17 Ks … 5 sac. bunts, 2-2 SB … .247 slugging pct., .340 on-base pct. … 15 starts at C, 5 at 1B, 1 at 3B … 3 E.
Christian Parker (RHP; Yankees triple-A Columbus Clippers, International League) – owns 8.81 ERA and 1-5 record in 6 GS … 49 H (.358 opp. avg.), 13 BB, 17 Ks in 31.2 IP … 3 HR, HB, WP … also has made five 2003 starts with double-A Trenton Thunder (2.83, 1-2, 17 H/.172 opp. avg., 11 BB, 9 Ks in 28.2 IP, HR, HB) and one with single-A Tampa Yankees (1.80, 0-0, 6 H, BB, 6 Ks in 5.0 IP, HB).
Steve Stanley
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Steve Stanley (CF; A’s double-A Midland Rockhounds, Texas League) – named to league all-star team … batting .300 (78-for-260) in 67 GP … 23 RBI, 2 3B, 4 2B … 39 R, 32 BB, HBP, 39 Ks, 7-12 SB … 7 SH, 2 SF … .331 slugging, .376 on-base … 63 starts in OF, 3 Es.
Brian Stavisky (A’s single-A Kane County Cougars, Midwest League) – named to league all-star game … batting .269 (42-for-156) in 47 GP … 18 RBI, HR, 3B, 6 2B … 23 R, 23 BB, 4 HB, 39 Ks, 1-1 SB, 4 SH … .340 slugging, .379 on-base … 9 OF starts, 1 E.
Danny Tamayo (RHP; Royals double-A Wichita Wranglers, Texas League) – joined Stanley in Texas League all-star game … owns 4.22 ERA, 6-7 record in 14 GS … 76 H (.251 opp. avg.), 37 BB, 51 Ks in 79 IP … 4 HR, 2 HB, 11 WP.
Brant Ust
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Brant Ust (IF; Tigers triple-A Toledo Mud Hens, International League) – recent call-up to Toledo, where he is batting .268 (15-for-56) in 17 GP … 6 RBI, 3B, 2B … 3 R, 2 BB, 11 Ks … SH, SF … .321 slugging, .288 on-base … 16 starts at 3B, 1 at SS, 4 Es … his 2003 stats with double-A Erie Sea Wolves: .286 (46-for-161) in 45 GP, 25 RBI, 5 HR, 2 3B, 11 2B, 24 R, 7 BB, HBP, 26 Ks, SH, 2-2 SB, .472 slugging, .320 on-base, 15 starts at 3B, 14 at SS, 13 at 2B, 8 in OF, 1 at C, 7 Es.