Craig Stammen
Encyclopedia
Craig N. Stammen is a pitcher
for the Washington Nationals
of Major League Baseball
.
Stammen grew up and still resides in North Star, Ohio
, a village about 11 miles (17.7 km) south of Coldwater. He bats and throws right-handed.
where he played football, basketball and baseball. He was named to the all-Miami Valley baseball team and was awarded Academic All-Ohio honors in 2002. He attended the University of Dayton
, where he majored in entrepreneurship and business management and made 60 pitching appearances over three seasons, as well as pitching in the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League
in 2004. He was an Atlantic Ten Conference
Academic All-Conference Pick in 2005. Craig is also a member of the highly prestigious group known as "UDLegends". He is the first member to become a professional athlete.
and was assigned to the Vermont Expos
of the short-season Class A New York – Penn League. He made seven starts and six relief appearances, accruing an ERA
of 4.06 while striking out
32 batters and allowing 12 walks
and 62 hits over 51 innings.
of the low Class A South Atlantic League
and for the Potomac Nationals
of the advanced Class A Carolina League
. In 143 innings he accumulated a 4.03 ERA and struck out 109 batters while allowing 36 walks and 144 hits.
of the Class AAA International League
. He pitched a total of 128⅔ innings, striking out 98 batters and yielding 57 walks and 160 hits on the way to a 4.41 ERA.
of the Class AA Eastern League, and Columbus. He posted an ERA of 3.52 over 150⅔ innings, striking out 128 batters while giving up 44 walks and 143 hits. He was a member of the Carolina League Mid-Season All-Star team. On July 14 he was named Eastern League Pitcher of the Week.
and pitched 6.1 innings with no decision. His first major league win was June 18 versus the New York Yankees. Stammen pitched 6.1 innings and allowed no runs. On July 11, 2009, he pitched his first major league complete game against the Houston Astros, allowing only 2 runs on 9 hits.
Stammen continued to pitch in the starting rotation, going 4-7 with a 5.11 ERA in 19 starts, until the beginning of September when he was scratched from his scheduled September 4 start because of a sore elbow. An MRI on September 3 revealed a bone spur
in the back of his right (pitching) elbow. Arthroscopic surgery was performed on September 6 and Stammen recovered in time for spring training in 2010.
On June 7, Stammen was optioned to the Triple A Syracuse Chiefs to make room on the active roster for starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg
, the overall #1 draft pick in the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft
.
On June 29, after going 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA in three starts for the Chiefs (the last of which he came within one out of throwing a seven-inning no-hitter), Stammen was recalled to the Nationals and returned to the starting rotation. The following night he pitched 7-1/3 innings, allowing two runs on five hits, against the first place-Atlanta Braves
, stopping a Nats' 5 game losing streak in a 7-2 win.
On August 8, Stammen was assigned to the bullpen to make way in the starting rotation for Jason Marquis and Stephen Strasburg.
Stammen rejoined the Nationals from June 4-June 14 while Doug Slaten was on the 15-day disabled list. During this brief stint he pitched 2 innings of relief in two games and was the losing pitcher in one of them.
After spending most of the summer with Syracuse, Stammen was called up again on September 6.
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...
for the Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
of Major League Baseball
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...
.
Stammen grew up and still resides in North Star, Ohio
North Star, Ohio
North Star is a village in Darke County, Ohio, United States. The population was 209 at the 2000 census.-History:North Star was platted in 1852 along the road between Greenville and Celina, approximately midway between the two cities...
, a village about 11 miles (17.7 km) south of Coldwater. He bats and throws right-handed.
Pre-professional career
Stammen is a graduate of Versailles High SchoolVersailles High School
Versailles High School is a public high school in Versailles, Ohio, Darke county. The principal of the building is Mr. Roger McEldowney. It is the only high school in the Versailles Exempted Village Schools district...
where he played football, basketball and baseball. He was named to the all-Miami Valley baseball team and was awarded Academic All-Ohio honors in 2002. He attended the University of Dayton
University of Dayton
The University of Dayton is a private Roman Catholic university operated by the Society of Mary located in Dayton, Ohio...
, where he majored in entrepreneurship and business management and made 60 pitching appearances over three seasons, as well as pitching in the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League
Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League
The Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League is an collegiate summer baseball league in the Great Lakes region of the United States that is affiliated with the Alliance of Summer College Baseball and comprises teams with collegiate baseball players from around North America. Players are not paid so...
in 2004. He was an Atlantic Ten Conference
Atlantic Ten Conference
The Atlantic 10 Conference is a college athletic conference which operates mostly on the United States' eastern seaboard. It also has two member schools in Ohio: Dayton and Xavier, located in Dayton and Cincinnati, respectively. Another member, Saint Louis is located in St. Louis, Missouri...
Academic All-Conference Pick in 2005. Craig is also a member of the highly prestigious group known as "UDLegends". He is the first member to become a professional athlete.
2005
Stammen was selected by the Washington Nationals in the twelfth round of the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft2005 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2005 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 7 and 8. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams...
and was assigned to the Vermont Expos
Vermont Lake Monsters
The Vermont Lake Monsters are a minor league baseball team in the Short-Season A classification New York - Penn League, affiliated with the Oakland Athletics. The team plays its home games at Centennial Field on the University of Vermont campus in Burlington, Vermont...
of the short-season Class A New York – Penn League. He made seven starts and six relief appearances, accruing an 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...
of 4.06 while striking out
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....
32 batters and allowing 12 walks
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
and 62 hits over 51 innings.
2006
In 2006 Stammen pitched for the Savannah Sand GnatsSavannah Sand Gnats
The Savannah Sand Gnats are a minor league baseball team in Savannah, Georgia and are a member of the A-level South Atlantic League. Since the 2007 season, the Sand Gnats have been an affiliate of the New York Mets.-History:...
of the low Class A South Atlantic League
South Atlantic League
The South Atlantic League is a minor league baseball league based chiefly in the Southeastern United States, with the exception of three teams in the Mid-Atlantic States...
and for the Potomac Nationals
Potomac Nationals
The Potomac Nationals are a Minor League Baseball team located in Woodbridge, Virginia. The Nationals play in the Class A Advanced Carolina League, and are an affiliate of the Washington Nationals.-History:...
of the advanced Class A Carolina League
Carolina League
The Carolina League is a minor league baseball affiliation which operates in the South Atlantic Coast of the United States. Before 2002, it was classified as a "High A" league, indicating its status as a Class A league with the highest level of competition within that classification, and the fifth...
. In 143 innings he accumulated a 4.03 ERA and struck out 109 batters while allowing 36 walks and 144 hits.
2007
Most of Stammen's 2007 season was spent at Potomac, although he did make one appearance with the Columbus ClippersColumbus Clippers
The Columbus Clippers are a minor league baseball team based in Columbus, Ohio. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. The team is owned by the government of Franklin County, Ohio....
of the Class AAA International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
. He pitched a total of 128⅔ innings, striking out 98 batters and yielding 57 walks and 160 hits on the way to a 4.41 ERA.
2008
Stammen's duties in 2008 were divided among Potomac, the Harrisburg SenatorsHarrisburg Senators
The Harrisburg Senators are a minor league baseball team based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals....
of the Class AA Eastern League, and Columbus. He posted an ERA of 3.52 over 150⅔ innings, striking out 128 batters while giving up 44 walks and 143 hits. He was a member of the Carolina League Mid-Season All-Star team. On July 14 he was named Eastern League Pitcher of the Week.
2009
Stammen started off the year with the AAA Syracuse Chiefs, going 4-2 with a 1.80 ERA (through 20 May 2009). He was called up to the major leagues on May 20, 2009. He had his first major league start May 21 versus the Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
and pitched 6.1 innings with no decision. His first major league win was June 18 versus the New York Yankees. Stammen pitched 6.1 innings and allowed no runs. On July 11, 2009, he pitched his first major league complete game against the Houston Astros, allowing only 2 runs on 9 hits.
Stammen continued to pitch in the starting rotation, going 4-7 with a 5.11 ERA in 19 starts, until the beginning of September when he was scratched from his scheduled September 4 start because of a sore elbow. An MRI on September 3 revealed a bone spur
Bone spur
Osteophytes, commonly referred to as bone spurs, are bony projections that form along joint margins. They should not be confused with enthesophytes, which are bony projections which form at the attachment of a tendon or ligament.-Pathophysiology:...
in the back of his right (pitching) elbow. Arthroscopic surgery was performed on September 6 and Stammen recovered in time for spring training in 2010.
2010
After recovering from a season-ending arthroscopic surgery in September 2009 and having a successful spring training, Stammen returned to the Nationals' rotation as their number 3 starter for the 2010 season.On June 7, Stammen was optioned to the Triple A Syracuse Chiefs to make room on the active roster for starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg
Stephen Strasburg
Stephen James Strasburg is a right-handed pitcher for the Washington Nationals, who selected him with the first pick in the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft...
, the overall #1 draft pick in the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft
2009 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2009 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft was held June 9 to June 11 at the MLB Network Studios in New York City.The drafting order is as follows:-First-round selections:Key-Supplemental first-round selections:From Baseball America...
.
On June 29, after going 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA in three starts for the Chiefs (the last of which he came within one out of throwing a seven-inning no-hitter), Stammen was recalled to the Nationals and returned to the starting rotation. The following night he pitched 7-1/3 innings, allowing two runs on five hits, against the first place-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....
, stopping a Nats' 5 game losing streak in a 7-2 win.
On August 8, Stammen was assigned to the bullpen to make way in the starting rotation for Jason Marquis and Stephen Strasburg.
2011
After spending spring training with the Nationals, Stammen was optioned to Triple A Syracuse for the start of the 2011 season (though remaining on the Nationals' 40-man roster).Stammen rejoined the Nationals from June 4-June 14 while Doug Slaten was on the 15-day disabled list. During this brief stint he pitched 2 innings of relief in two games and was the losing pitcher in one of them.
After spending most of the summer with Syracuse, Stammen was called up again on September 6.