Jeff Locke
Encyclopedia
Jeffrey Alan Locke is a major league
left-handed starting pitcher
for the Pittsburgh Pirates
. The 6'2", 180 lb. Locke was the first selection in the second round in the 2006 Atlanta Braves Draft.
During his high school freshman year (2002–03) Locke was known as "The Kid". On June 6, 2006, The Conway Daily Sun sports editor Lloyd Jones established Locke's new nickname, the "Redstone Rocket". He bestowed the nickname on Locke because of Locke's fastball, the name of his home village (Locke's hometown is Redstone, New Hampshire
, which is located in the town of Conway, New Hampshire
), and in reference to America's first man in space, Alan Shepard
of Derry, New Hampshire
, whose Freedom 7 flight was launched by a Redstone rocket
. He was the best Kennett Pitcher ever.
assigned Locke to the Danville Braves
in the Advanced Rookie Appalachian League
.
On June 3, 2009, the Braves traded Locke to the Pittsburgh Pirates
along with Charlie Morton
and Gorkys Hernández
in exchange for Nate McLouth
. The Pirates assigned him to their Class A Advanced affiliate, the Lynchburg Hillcats. In 2010, the Pirates and Cincinnati Reds
swapped minor league franchises. As a result, the Reds took control of the Hillcats, while the Pirates received Cincinnati's Sarasota Reds. The Pirates then moved Sarasota's operations to nearby Bradenton
, where the club was renamed the Bradenton Marauders. Locke was assigned to the new team and will be the starting pitcher in the team's second-ever game against the Fort Myers Miracle
on April 9, 2010.
On July 14, 2010, Locke was promoted to the Pirates' Double A team, the Altoona Curve
.
which resulted in a loss. He pitched a total of 4 games for the Pittsburgh Pirates
and went 0-3 with an ERA of 6.48 and 5 strikeouts.
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...
left-handed 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....
for 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...
. The 6'2", 180 lb. Locke was the first selection in the second round in the 2006 Atlanta Braves Draft.
Early life
Locke graduated June, from A. Crosby Kennett High SchoolKennett High School (New Hampshire)
Kennett High School is an American high school located at 409 Eagles Way in North Conway, New Hampshire, near the village of Redstone. The present school building opened in 2007, replacing the former A. Crosby Kennett High School located at 176 Main Street in Conway, which is now a middle school...
During his high school freshman year (2002–03) Locke was known as "The Kid". On June 6, 2006, The Conway Daily Sun sports editor Lloyd Jones established Locke's new nickname, the "Redstone Rocket". He bestowed the nickname on Locke because of Locke's fastball, the name of his home village (Locke's hometown is Redstone, New Hampshire
Redstone, New Hampshire
Redstone is a village within the town of Conway in Carroll County, New Hampshire, United States. It is located on the road from Center Conway to North Conway at the base of Rattlesnake Mountain...
, which is located in the town of Conway, New Hampshire
Conway, New Hampshire
Conway is a town, the largest in Carroll County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 10,115 at the 2010 census. Parts of the White Mountain National Forest are in the west and north. Cathedral Ledge and Echo Lake State Park are in the west...
), and in reference to America's first man in space, Alan Shepard
Alan Shepard
Alan Bartlett Shepard, Jr. was an American naval aviator, test pilot, flag officer, and NASA astronaut who in 1961 became the second person, and the first American, in space. This Mercury flight was designed to enter space, but not to achieve orbit...
of Derry, New Hampshire
Derry, New Hampshire
-Climate:-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 33,109 people, 12,537 households, and 8,767 families residing in the town. The population density was 924.8 people per square mile . There were 13,277 housing units at an average density of 143.2/km²...
, whose Freedom 7 flight was launched by a Redstone rocket
Redstone (rocket)
The PGM-11 Redstone was the first large American ballistic missile. A short-range surface-to-surface rocket, it was in active service with the U.S. Army in West Germany from June 1958 to June 1964 as part of NATO's Cold War defense of Western Europe...
. He was the best Kennett Pitcher ever.
Minor League Career
Locke was assigned to the Gulf Coast Braves (Rookie League) upon signing with the Braves on June 18, 2006. In June 2007 the Atlanta BravesAtlanta 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....
assigned Locke to the Danville Braves
Danville Braves
The Danville Braves are a minor league baseball team in Danville, Virginia, USA. They are an Advanced Rookie-level team in the Appalachian League and have been a farm team of the Atlanta Braves since 1993. The Braves play home games at American Legion Post 325 Field...
in the Advanced Rookie Appalachian League
Appalachian League
The Appalachian League is a Rookie-class minor league that began play in 1937 with one year of inactivity in 1956. From 1937 to 1962, it was a Class D League. Teams are located in the Appalachian regions of Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia and Tennessee...
.
On June 3, 2009, the Braves traded Locke to 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...
along with Charlie Morton
Charlie Morton (pitcher)
Charles A. Morton is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He stands at 6'5" and weighs in at about 230 lbs. He is a right-hander.-Professional career:...
and Gorkys Hernández
Gorkys Hernández
Gorkys Gustavo Hernández is a Venezuelan professional baseball outfielder in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization currently assigned to their triple A Indianapolis Indians of the International League....
in exchange for Nate McLouth
Nate McLouth
Nathan Richard McLouth is a Major League Baseball player. Primarily a center fielder, McLouth bats from the left side and throws from the right. He is 5' 11" tall and weighs 185 pounds...
. The Pirates assigned him to their Class A Advanced affiliate, the Lynchburg Hillcats. In 2010, the Pirates and Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
swapped minor league franchises. As a result, the Reds took control of the Hillcats, while the Pirates received Cincinnati's Sarasota Reds. The Pirates then moved Sarasota's operations to nearby Bradenton
Bradenton, Florida
Bradenton is a city in Manatee County, Florida, United States. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's 2007 population to be 53,471. Bradenton is the largest Principal City of the Bradenton-Sarasota-Venice, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had a 2007 estimated population of 682,833...
, where the club was renamed the Bradenton Marauders. Locke was assigned to the new team and will be the starting pitcher in the team's second-ever game against the Fort Myers Miracle
Fort Myers Miracle
The Fort Myers Miracle is the Class A Advanced minor league baseball affiliate of the Minnesota Twins Major League Baseball club, currently managed by Jake Mauer. Home games are played at the Lee County Sports Complex in Hammond Stadium, which has a capacity of 7,500, and opened in...
on April 9, 2010.
On July 14, 2010, Locke was promoted to the Pirates' Double A team, 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...
.
Major League Career
He made his MLB debut on September 10, 2011 against the Florida MarlinsFlorida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
which resulted in a loss. He pitched a total of 4 games for 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...
and went 0-3 with an ERA of 6.48 and 5 strikeouts.
Awards
- Appalachian LeagueAppalachian LeagueThe Appalachian League is a Rookie-class minor league that began play in 1937 with one year of inactivity in 1956. From 1937 to 1962, it was a Class D League. Teams are located in the Appalachian regions of Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia and Tennessee...
PitcherPitcherIn 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...
of the Week (July 17–23, 2007) - Appalachian League Post-Season All-StarAll-starAll-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...
(2007) - Baseball AmericaBaseball AmericaBaseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
Rookie All-Star (2007) - Carolina LeagueCarolina LeagueThe 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...
Pitcher of the Week (April 28 - May 4, 2009)