Frank Brooks
Encyclopedia
Frank J. Brooks is a Major League Baseball
player who currently plays in the Atlantic League
for the Somerset Patriots
. A left-handed
pitcher
who bats from the left side, Brooks is 6'1" tall and weighs 200 pounds.
His primary pitches are a low-90s fastball
and a low-80s curveball
with a large break.
in Brooklyn, and after graduation attended Saint Peter's College, New Jersey
for three years. At the end of his junior season, the Philadelphia Phillies
selected him with the 396th overall pick of the 1999 June draft
, as part of that draft's thirteenth round. He signed with the Phillies and began his professional career with the Batavia Muckdogs
, where he was honored as a member of the New York-Penn League's All-Star
team.
Brooks began his professional career as a starting pitcher
, but he converted to relief partway through the season. He was dominant in Double-A in , striking out
71 batters in 58 1/3 innings, while surrendering only 40 hits
and five home run
s. Brooks's performance caught the eye of the Pittsburgh Pirates
, who acquired him in a deadline deal for closer
Mike Williams
. After the trade, Brooks spent time with two of the Pirates' affiliates, the Altoona Curve
and the Nashville Sounds
.
The New York Mets
selected Brooks in the Rule 5 Draft
that off-season, and then immediately traded him to the Oakland Athletics
. Brooks was one of five players chosen from the Pirates in the major league portion of that Rule 5 draft, a series of events that resulted in a great deal of criticism of Pirates' general manager, Dave Littlefield
. http://209.116.71.39/today/columnists/askba03dec.html http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04084/290582.stm. Brooks failed to stick with the Athletics, but when placed on waivers on March 18, was claimed by the Boston Red Sox
. Boston likewise had trouble finding space for him on their roster, and when placed on waivers again on March 31, cleared them and was sent back to the Pirates.
After spending most of at Triple-A, Brooks made his major league debut on August 27, 2004, and went on to appear in eleven games with the Pirates. He pitched well in relief, striking out 17 batters in 16 1/3 innings and surrendering only a .175 batting average
to opposing hitters http://sports.espn.go.com/mlbhist/players/splits?statsId=7262&type=pitching&year=2004, but his final season totals were distorted by a poor performance in an emergency start. The Pirates placed him on waivers to clear roster space at the end of the season, and he was claimed by the Los Angeles Dodgers
. Brooks went through spring training
with the Dodgers, but was placed on waivers yet again on April 13, 2005, and was claimed by the Atlanta Braves
.
Brooks spent the majority of the 2005 season with the Braves' Triple-A affiliate, the Richmond Braves
. He did earn a brief callup to Atlanta, pitching to two batters in a game against the San Diego Padres
on May 16. At the end of the year, Brooks signed with the New York Yankees
as a minor league free agent
. In mid April , Frank signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals
. He was released on June 12 and five days later signed with the Boston Red Sox
. Brooks spent the rest of 2006 pitching for the Red Sox Double-A affiliate, the Portland Sea Dogs
. On November 8, 2006, Brooks signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres and became a free agent after the season.
On April 14, , Brooks signed with the Somerset Patriots of the Atlantic League.
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...
player who currently plays in the Atlantic League
Atlantic League of Professional Baseball
The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball is a professional, independent baseball organization located primarily in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States, especially the greater metropolitan areas of the Northeast megalopolis. It operates in cities not served by Major or Minor League...
for the Somerset Patriots
Somerset Patriots
The Somerset Patriots are an American professional baseball team based in Bridgewater Township, New Jersey. They are a member of the Freedom Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
. A left-handed
Left-handed
Left-handedness is the preference for the left hand over the right for everyday activities such as writing. In ancient times it was seen as a sign of the devil, and was abhorred in many cultures...
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 bats from the left side, Brooks is 6'1" tall and weighs 200 pounds.
His primary pitches are a low-90s fastball
Fastball
The fastball is the most common type of pitch in baseball. Some "power pitchers," such as Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens, have thrown it at speeds of 95–106 mph and up to 108.1 mph , relying purely on speed to prevent the ball from being hit...
and a low-80s curveball
Curveball
The curveball is a type of pitch in baseball thrown with a characteristic grip and hand movement that imparts forward spin to the ball causing it to dive in a downward path as it approaches the plate. Its close relatives are the slider and the slurve. The "curve" of the ball varies from pitcher to...
with a large break.
Baseball career
Brooks played ball at Sheepshead Bay High SchoolSheepshead Bay High School
Sheepshead Bay High School is a public high school in Brooklyn, New York City, New York.-Mission:Sheepshead Bay High School is a large, multi-cultural high school in Brooklyn, New York. There are currently 2,673 students enrolled, in grades 9 through 12. The largest group is African American ,...
in Brooklyn, and after graduation attended Saint Peter's College, New Jersey
Saint Peter's College, New Jersey
Saint Peter's College is a private, coeducational Roman Catholic college in the United States. Located in Jersey City, New Jersey, it was founded in 1872 by the Society of Jesus. Today, Saint Peter's College is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities...
for three years. At the end of his junior season, the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
selected him with the 396th overall pick of the 1999 June draft
1999 Major League Baseball Draft
The 1999 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft of high school and college baseball players, was held on June 2 and 3, 1999...
, as part of that draft's thirteenth round. He signed with the Phillies and began his professional career with the Batavia Muckdogs
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...
, where he was honored as a member of the New York-Penn League's All-Star
All-star
All-star is a term designating an individual as having a high level of performance in their field. Originating in sports, it has since drifted into vernacular and been borrowed heavily by the entertainment industry...
team.
Brooks began his professional career as a starting pitcher
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
, but he converted to relief partway through the season. He was dominant in Double-A in , 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....
71 batters in 58 1/3 innings, while surrendering only 40 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
and five home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s. Brooks's performance caught the eye of the Pittsburgh 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...
, who acquired him in a deadline deal for closer
Closer (baseball)
In baseball, a closing pitcher, more frequently referred to as a closer , is a relief pitcher who specializes in closing out games, i.e., getting the final outs in a close game. Closers often appear when the score is close, and the role is often assigned to a team's best reliever. A small number of...
Mike Williams
Mike Williams (baseball player)
Michael Darren "Mike" Williams is a former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher who had a 12 year career with the Philadelphia Phillies, Kansas City Royals, Houston Astros and the Pittsburgh Pirates from to .Williams was a two-time National League All-Star in and . In 2002, he...
. After the trade, Brooks spent time with two of the Pirates' affiliates, the Altoona Curve
Altoona Curve
The Altoona Curve are a minor league baseball team based in Altoona, Pennsylvania, named after nearby Horseshoe Curve . The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates major-league club...
and the Nashville Sounds
Nashville Sounds
The Nashville Sounds are a minor league baseball team of the Pacific Coast League , and the Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. They are located in Nashville, Tennessee, and are named for the city's association with the music industry...
.
The New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
selected Brooks in the Rule 5 Draft
Rule 5 draft
The Rule 5 draft is a Major League Baseball player draft that occurs each year in December, at the annual Winter Meeting of general managers. The Rule 5 draft aims to prevent teams from stockpiling too many young players on their minor league affiliate teams when other teams would be willing to...
that off-season, and then immediately traded him to the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
. Brooks was one of five players chosen from the Pirates in the major league portion of that Rule 5 draft, a series of events that resulted in a great deal of criticism of Pirates' general manager, Dave Littlefield
Dave Littlefield
David Littlefield is a former Major League Baseball executive. Littlefield was employed as Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates, a position he held from July 13, 2001 to September 7, 2007. He took over as GM for Roy Smith, who had assumed the position on a temporary...
. http://209.116.71.39/today/columnists/askba03dec.html http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04084/290582.stm. Brooks failed to stick with the Athletics, but when placed on waivers on March 18, was claimed by the Boston Red Sox
Boston 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"...
. Boston likewise had trouble finding space for him on their roster, and when placed on waivers again on March 31, cleared them and was sent back to the Pirates.
After spending most of at Triple-A, Brooks made his major league debut on August 27, 2004, and went on to appear in eleven games with the Pirates. He pitched well in relief, striking out 17 batters in 16 1/3 innings and surrendering only a .175 batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
to opposing hitters http://sports.espn.go.com/mlbhist/players/splits?statsId=7262&type=pitching&year=2004, but his final season totals were distorted by a poor performance in an emergency start. The Pirates placed him on waivers to clear roster space at the end of the season, and he was claimed by the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
. Brooks went through spring training
Spring 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 Dodgers, but was placed on waivers yet again on April 13, 2005, and was claimed by the 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....
.
Brooks spent the majority of the 2005 season with the Braves' Triple-A affiliate, the Richmond Braves
Richmond Braves
The Richmond Braves were the Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves and played in the International League. Colloquially referred to as the R-Braves, they were based in Richmond, Virginia, where they played from 1966, when the Milwaukee Braves moved to Atlanta where their AAA team, the Crackers,...
. He did earn a brief callup to Atlanta, pitching to two batters in a game 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...
on May 16. At the end of the year, Brooks signed with the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
as a minor league free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
. In mid April , Frank signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
. He was released on June 12 and five days later signed with the Boston Red Sox
Boston 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"...
. Brooks spent the rest of 2006 pitching for the Red Sox Double-A affiliate, the Portland Sea Dogs
Portland Sea Dogs
The Portland Sea Dogs are the Double-A minor league affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. Established in 1994 and based in Portland, Maine, the Sea Dogs play in the Northern Division of the Eastern League....
. On November 8, 2006, Brooks signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres and became a free agent after the season.
On April 14, , Brooks signed with the Somerset Patriots of the Atlantic League.