Daniel Descalso
Encyclopedia
Daniel William Descalso (born October 19, 1986) is an American professional baseball
infielder with the St. Louis Cardinals
.
, California, on October 19, 1986, to Marylou and George Descalso. He is the oldest of six children. He went to Saint Francis High School
in Mountain View, California
. He pitched as the team's number 1 starter for three straight seasons, and played 2nd base. He made the All-Central Coast Section squads twice, including first team as a senior, second team as a junior. He made the West Catholic Athletic League first teams in each of last two seasons, including WCAL MVP distinction in 2004. He also played football, winning first-team All-WCAL, second-team All-CCS and honorable mention All-Metro as a senior. He scored three touchdowns against their crosstown rivals during 2003 Homecoming game. He graduated in 2004.
He went on to UC Davis, where he played 3rd base and majored in economics. In 2007, Descalso was named to the NCAA All-Independent First Team. He put up some of the best stats ever at UC Davis, with a .397 lifetime batting average and 92 career hits. His 22 doubles rank second all-time in school history. Following his junior year, he was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals
in the 3rd round (112th overall) of the 2007 amateur entry draft. He was selected in the highest draft position ever for an Aggie player.
He is 5'10" and 190 pounds.
Following the draft, Descalso began his pro career with the Batavia Muckdogs
, the Short-Season A
affiliate of the Cardinals in the New York – Penn League. He played 69 games for the Muckdogs in 2007, splitting time between 3rd base and 2nd base.
In 2008, Descalso began with the Palm Beach Cardinals
, the High-A affiliate of the Cardinals in the Florida State League
. He played 115 games in Jupiter, where he batted .243 and played shortstop, 2nd base, and 3rd base. In August 2008, he was advanced to the Springfield Cardinals
, the Double-A affiliate in Missouri
. He played in just 9 games, but hit .351.
was recalled by the Cardinals. After the call up, Descalso played most games at 2nd base, with 9 at 1st base.
He was also named the 2009 Springfield Cardinals Player of the Year. He missed final two weeks of 2009 season to play for the gold medal winning team USA in the 2009 Baseball World Cup
in Italy.
On September 18, Descalso's contract was purchased by the Cardinals and he was promoted to the major leagues. He officially made his major league debut on September 18, 2010, at home against the San Diego Padres
when he was announced as a pinch hitter
(although he did not bat and was replaced by right handed batter Nick Stavinoha
). His first game as a starter was on September 22, 2010, against the Pirates
at their park, where he garnered his first hit and first RBI on a 2-run double. It was at third base, rather than his natural second base position. Nonetheless, his first MLB career fielding attempt was the front end of a 6–4–3
double play
(Descalso-Schumaker
-Pujols
). He finished the year solidly, and remained on the 40-man roster.
, Tyler Greene
, Double-A prospect Matt Carpenter, and off-season acquisitions Ryan Theriot
and Nick Punto
. The difficulty would be determining a position and securing a spot. An injury to Punto and questions about Freese's durability left the Cards desperate for an extra utility infielder (rather than an outfielder). Ultimately, Descalso secured a roster spot out of training camp.In game 7 of the World Series he made an amazing catch to keep Texas on Second Base.
He hit his first major league home run on May 3 in St. Louis in the 7th inning, and it was the game-winner in a 3-run blast that vaulted the Cardinals to a come-from-behind 7–5 win against the Marlins.
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
infielder with the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
.
Early and personal life
Descalso was born in Redwood CityRedwood City, California
Redwood City is a California charter city located on the San Francisco Peninsula in Northern California, approximately 27 miles south of San Francisco, and 24 miles north of San Jose. Redwood City's history spans from its earliest inhabitation by the Ohlone people, to its tradition as a port for...
, California, on October 19, 1986, to Marylou and George Descalso. He is the oldest of six children. He went to Saint Francis High School
Saint Francis High School (Mountain View)
Saint Francis High School, founded in 1954 by the Brothers of Holy Cross, is a Roman Catholic, co-educational, college preparatory secondary school located in Mountain View, CA. The Brothers of Holy Cross serve both on the faculty and on the Board of Directors...
in Mountain View, California
Mountain View, California
-Downtown:Mountain View has a pedestrian-friendly downtown centered on Castro Street. The downtown area consists of the seven blocks of Castro Street from the Downtown Mountain View Station transit center in the north to the intersection with El Camino Real in the south...
. He pitched as the team's number 1 starter for three straight seasons, and played 2nd base. He made the All-Central Coast Section squads twice, including first team as a senior, second team as a junior. He made the West Catholic Athletic League first teams in each of last two seasons, including WCAL MVP distinction in 2004. He also played football, winning first-team All-WCAL, second-team All-CCS and honorable mention All-Metro as a senior. He scored three touchdowns against their crosstown rivals during 2003 Homecoming game. He graduated in 2004.
He went on to UC Davis, where he played 3rd base and majored in economics. In 2007, Descalso was named to the NCAA All-Independent First Team. He put up some of the best stats ever at UC Davis, with a .397 lifetime batting average and 92 career hits. His 22 doubles rank second all-time in school history. Following his junior year, he was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
in the 3rd round (112th overall) of the 2007 amateur entry draft. He was selected in the highest draft position ever for an Aggie player.
He is 5'10" and 190 pounds.
2007 and 2008 seasons
Batavia Muckdogs
The Batavia Muckdogs are a minor league baseball team based in Batavia, a city in Genesee County, New York, United States. The Muckdogs are the current Short-Season A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals...
, the Short-Season A
Short season
Short season refers to a form of class A minor league baseball in which only about 75 games are played each season, as opposed to the typical 140 games for an affiliated minor league team at a higher level...
affiliate of the Cardinals in the New York – Penn League. He played 69 games for the Muckdogs in 2007, splitting time between 3rd base and 2nd base.
In 2008, Descalso began with the Palm Beach Cardinals
Palm Beach Cardinals
The Palm Beach Cardinals are a minor league baseball team based in Jupiter in Palm Beach County, Florida.The team, which plays in the Florida State League, is the High-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals major-league club....
, the High-A affiliate of the Cardinals in the Florida State League
Florida State League
The Florida State League is a Class A-Advanced minor league baseball league operating in the state of Florida. They are one of three leagues currently operating in Class A-Advanced, the third highest of six classifications of minor leagues...
. He played 115 games in Jupiter, where he batted .243 and played shortstop, 2nd base, and 3rd base. In August 2008, he was advanced to the Springfield Cardinals
Springfield Cardinals
The Springfield Cardinals are a minor league baseball team based in Springfield, Missouri. The team, which plays in the Texas League, is the Double-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals major-league club, and is owned by the Cardinals. The club plays at Hammons Field.The Springfield Cardinals...
, the Double-A affiliate in Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
. He played in just 9 games, but hit .351.
2009 season
In 2009 with Springfield, Descalso had eight home runs and 51 RBI in 288 at-bats over 73 games, all at 2nd base. His line was an impressive .323/.396/.531. At the end of the 2009 season, he was named to the Double-A Texas League post-season all star team. However, he did not play in that game, instead was promoted to Triple-A Memphis in early July when Jarrett HoffpauirJarrett Hoffpauir
Jarrett Lee Hoffpauir is a second baseman for the San Diego Padres. He is a distant cousin to Micah Hoffpauir, who is also a baseball player.Hoffpauir was drafted by the St...
was recalled by the Cardinals. After the call up, Descalso played most games at 2nd base, with 9 at 1st base.
He was also named the 2009 Springfield Cardinals Player of the Year. He missed final two weeks of 2009 season to play for the gold medal winning team USA in the 2009 Baseball World Cup
2009 Baseball World Cup
The 2009 Baseball World Cup was an international baseball tournament that started on 9 September 2009. The final was held in Nettuno, Italy on 27 September 2009. It was the 38th time the World Cup took place, and the first time that it was hosted by a continent rather than a single country...
in Italy.
2010 season
The Cardinals invited Descalso to the 2010 Spring camp, where he batted .500 with nine RBI in 14 games. Through the first two months of the 2010 season, he exclusively played 2nd base.On September 18, Descalso's contract was purchased by the Cardinals and he was promoted to the major leagues. He officially made his major league debut on September 18, 2010, at home against the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
when he was announced as a pinch hitter
Pinch hitter
In baseball, a pinch hitter is a substitute batter. Batters can be substituted at any time while the ball is dead ; the manager may use any player that has not yet entered the game as a substitute...
(although he did not bat and was replaced by right handed batter Nick Stavinoha
Nick Stavinoha
Nicholas Lee "Nick" Stavinoha is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball.-Early life:...
). His first game as a starter was on September 22, 2010, against the Pirates
Pittsburgh 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...
at their park, where he garnered his first hit and first RBI on a 2-run double. It was at third base, rather than his natural second base position. Nonetheless, his first MLB career fielding attempt was the front end of a 6–4–3
Baseball positions
There are 9 fielding positions in baseball. Each position conventionally has an associated number which is used to score putouts...
double play
Double play
In baseball, a double play for a team or a fielder is the act of making two outs during the same continuous playing action. In baseball slang, making a double play is referred to as "turning two"....
(Descalso-Schumaker
Skip Schumaker
Jared Michael "Skip" Schumaker is a Major League Baseball Outfielder and Second Baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Biography:...
-Pujols
Albert Pujols
José Alberto Pujols Alcántara , better known as Albert Pujols , is a Dominican-American professional baseball player, who is currently a free agent...
). He finished the year solidly, and remained on the 40-man roster.
2011 season
Given his late season performance, Descalso started the 2011 Spring Training with a legitimate chance to make the Cardinals. However, the Cards had a number of capable infielders fighting for roster spots, including David FreeseDavid Freese
David Richard Freese is a third baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball. A star high school player, Freese chose not to play college baseball in his freshman year of college, but returned to the game a year later...
, Tyler Greene
Tyler Greene
Benjamin Tyler Greene is an American Major league baseball shortstop, currently playing in the minor leagues of the St. Louis Cardinals.-Early and personal life:...
, Double-A prospect Matt Carpenter, and off-season acquisitions Ryan Theriot
Ryan Theriot
Ryan Stewart Theriot is a Major League Baseball infielder for the St. Louis Cardinals.Theriot is the son of Randy and Mary Theriot, and has an older brother Wes and younger brother Austin. Both his father and older brother played baseball at Broadmoor High School.Theriot graduated from Broadmoor...
and Nick Punto
Nick Punto
Nicholas Paul Punto is a Major League Baseball utility player. He has played second base, third base, shortstop, and center field. Punto is a switch hitter and throws right-handed....
. The difficulty would be determining a position and securing a spot. An injury to Punto and questions about Freese's durability left the Cards desperate for an extra utility infielder (rather than an outfielder). Ultimately, Descalso secured a roster spot out of training camp.In game 7 of the World Series he made an amazing catch to keep Texas on Second Base.
He hit his first major league home run on May 3 in St. Louis in the 7th inning, and it was the game-winner in a 3-run blast that vaulted the Cardinals to a come-from-behind 7–5 win against the Marlins.