Justin Masterson
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Boston Red Sox — No. 63 | |
| Starting pitcher | |
| Born: March 22, 1985 Kingston, Jamaica |
|
|---|---|
| Bats: Right | Throws: Right |
| Major League Baseball debut | |
| April 24, 2008 for the Boston Red Sox | |
| Selected MLB statistics (through June 13, 2008) |
|
| Win-Loss | 3-1 |
| Earned run average | 2.90 |
| Strikeouts | 27 |
| Teams | |
Justin Daniel Masterson (born March 22, 1985 in Kingston, Jamaica) is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox drafted Masterson in the second round of the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft. Masterson was rated as the 64th-best prospect coming into that year’s draft by Baseball America.[1] Masterson stands 6'6", and weighs 250 pounds; he throws and bats right-handed.
Masterson is the first Red Sox pitcher since 1912 to make his first four consecutive starts in Fenway Park and not lose any of them.[2]
Contents |
[edit] Early life
Masterson was born in Kingston, Jamaica where his father served as dean of students at the Jamaican Theological Seminary.[3]
A few years later, he moved to Indiana. He attended high school at Beavercreek, Ohio where he first played baseball as a catcher, pitcher, and first baseman.
Masterson attended Bethel College in Mishawaka, Indiana where he played as a starting pitcher. He then attended San Diego State University. As a relief pitcher, Masterson pitched out of the bullpen in the Cape Cod Baseball League in 2005, saving 10 games for Wareham while posting a 1.15 ERA.[4]
[edit] Pitching
Masterson pitches at a three-quarter arm delivery with a sliding-type motion, who some compare to Dennis Eckersley's delivery. His pitching arsenal includes a fastball, sinker, slider, and a change-up. It has been claimed that his best pitch is his plus-sinker with a heavy-drop[5].
Masterson throws his fastball in the mid 90's, his slider at the low 80's, and a change-up ranging from 77-81mph. He can vary his sinker at speeds of 84–94 mph, sometimes catching many batters off balance. He also throws a variety of different fastballs, varying the speed from high 80's up to the mid 90's, and varies the break on his fastballs as well.
[edit] Career
Masterson was signed to the minors by Dan Madsen, and has been a starter and reliever in his minor league career. In 2007, his second season, Masterson was promoted from Class A Lancaster to Double-A Portland. Masterson's twelve wins that season was second among all Red Sox Minor Leaguers.[6]
After joining the Portland Sea Dogs, Masterson said, "I've had the confidence to be a great pitcher all along. I went to a smaller school and really proved that I had the ability to pitch, and whatever route I took to get me where I am I'm not worried about it."[7]
In 2006, Masterson was named to the Baseball America short season all-star team.[8][9][10] Masterson was converted to starting pitcher in early 2007, after a stint as a relief pitcher for Short Season Lowell in 2006.
The Red Sox invited Masterson to spring training during early 2008.[11] On April 24, 2008, he made his Major League debut against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in an emergency call-up start. He pitched six full innings and allowed one run. Masterson was immediately sent back to Double-A Portland following the game. On May 20, 2008, Masterson made his second appearance, pitching 6.1 innings, allowing two hits and one run with four walks and four strikeouts and picking up his first win in the Majors. It was announced immediately after the game that he was being sent down to Triple-A Pawtucket.[12]
[edit] Personal life
Masterson was married on November 3, 2007. He has a brother and a sister. As of 2008, Masterson resides in Beavercreek, Ohio.[13] Masterson is now a permanent fixture in the Redsox Starting rotation.
[edit] References
- ^ Top 100 Prospects: No. 61-80. Retrieved on 2008-04-18.
- ^ Fun in games for Masterson. Boston Globe. Retrieved on 2008-06-09.
- ^ Profile: #21 Justin Masterson. San Diego State University. Retrieved on 2008-04-17.
- ^ Justin Masterson - Red Sox pitching prospect - Royal Rooters
- ^ Justin Masterson | SoxProspects.com
- ^ MLB Second place among all Red Sox minors.. mlb.mlb.com. Retrieved on 2008-06-01.
- ^ The Daily Aztec
- ^ BaseballAmerica.com: Minors: 2006 Minor League All-Stars. Retrieved on 2008-04-14.
- ^ Justin Masterson Statistics — The Baseball Cube. Retrieved on 2008-04-14.
- ^ Minor League Baseball: Stats: Player. Retrieved on 2008-04-14.
- ^ Red Sox Team Transactions February 2008
- ^ Gordon Edes (2008-05-21). Nice encore by Masterson. Boston Globe. Retrieved on 2008-05-21.
- ^ Justin Masterson - Red Sox pitching prospect - Royal Rooters
[edit] External links
- Justin Masterson
- Justin Masterson Q&A
- Baseball Cube statistics
- Baseball Reference statistics
- Baseball America statistics
- Portland Sea Dogs About Justin Masterson
