Jon Switzer
Encyclopedia
Jon Michael Switzer is a Major League Baseball
relief pitcher
who is in the Houston Astros
organization.
While there he was three-year letterwinner and was selected for the following honors: '98 first-team all-district, '97 second-team all-district, USA Today 1998 All-USA honorable mention, Houston Area All-Star, '98 all-state selection. He also played for the South in the Texas North/South All-Star game at The Ballpark in Arlington.
in 26th round of the amateur entry draft but chose to attend Arizona State University
where he majored in marketing.
Switzer attended Arizona State for three years (1999–2001) and appeared in 66 games compiling a 23-13 record with a 4.01 ERA striking out 327 batters in 303.1 innings. He posted back-to-back seasons with 100+ strikeouts in 2000 (121) and 2001 (128). He was named Pac-10 Honorable Mention in 2000 and 2001, third-team Collegiate Baseball All-American in 2000.
in 2nd round of the 2001 Major League Baseball Draft
and began his professional career playing for the Hudson Valley Renegades
of the New York-Penn League.
By Switzer worked his way up to the Triple-A Durham Bulls
and made his first major league appearance against the Kansas City Royals
on August 2, 2003.
Switzer missed the entire season with an injury. He split the - seasons between Durham and the parent club. On November 30, 2007 Tampa outrighted Switzer to Durham. December 1, he refused the minor league assignment and became a free agent.
On January 4, , Switzer was signed by the Boston Red Sox
to a minor league contract and was invited to spring training. On March 13, he was optioned to the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox
. He became a free agent at the end of the season and signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets in January .
On June 12, the Mets called him up following John Maine's placement on the Disabled List. He was designated for assignment on June 24.
On December 22, 2009, Switzer signed a minor league contract with the Houston Astros
.
Jon Switzer retired after the 2010 season. He went back to school, and is now currently a business manager.
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...
relief pitcher
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
who is in the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
organization.
High school
Switzer is a 1998 graduate of Clear Lake High School in Houston, TexasHouston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
While there he was three-year letterwinner and was selected for the following honors: '98 first-team all-district, '97 second-team all-district, USA Today 1998 All-USA honorable mention, Houston Area All-Star, '98 all-state selection. He also played for the South in the Texas North/South All-Star game at The Ballpark in Arlington.
College
In , Switzer was selected by 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...
in 26th round of the amateur entry draft but chose to attend Arizona State University
Arizona State University
Arizona State University is a public research university located in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area of the State of Arizona...
where he majored in marketing.
Switzer attended Arizona State for three years (1999–2001) and appeared in 66 games compiling a 23-13 record with a 4.01 ERA striking out 327 batters in 303.1 innings. He posted back-to-back seasons with 100+ strikeouts in 2000 (121) and 2001 (128). He was named Pac-10 Honorable Mention in 2000 and 2001, third-team Collegiate Baseball All-American in 2000.
Professional career
Switzer was selected by Tampa Bay Devil RaysTampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
in 2nd round of the 2001 Major League Baseball Draft
2001 Major League Baseball Draft
-First Round Selections:-Supplemental First Round Selections:-Background:The Minnesota Twins selected St. Paul, MN native Joe Mauer with the number one pick in the 2001 draft. The 18-year-old Mauer, a catcher from Cretin-Derham Hall High School in St. Paul, became the seventh Minnesotan to be...
and began his professional career playing for the Hudson Valley Renegades
Hudson Valley Renegades
The Hudson Valley Renegades are a minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Tampa Bay Rays. The team is a member of the New York - Penn League, a Class A Short Season league. The Renegades play at Dutchess Stadium in Fishkill, NY....
of the New York-Penn League.
By Switzer worked his way up to the Triple-A Durham Bulls
Durham Bulls
The Durham Bulls are a minor league baseball team that currently plays in the International League. The Bulls play their home games at Durham Bulls Athletic Park located in the downtown area of Durham, North Carolina. Durham Bulls Athletic Park is often called the "DBAP" or "D-Bap". The Bulls are...
and made his first major league appearance against 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...
on August 2, 2003.
Switzer missed the entire season with an injury. He split the - seasons between Durham and the parent club. On November 30, 2007 Tampa outrighted Switzer to Durham. December 1, he refused the minor league assignment and became a free agent.
On January 4, , Switzer was signed 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"...
to a minor league contract and was invited to spring training. On March 13, he was optioned to the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox
Pawtucket Red Sox
The Pawtucket Red Sox are the minor league baseball Triple-A affiliates of the Boston Red Sox and belong to the International League...
. He became a free agent at the end of the season and signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets in January .
On June 12, the Mets called him up following John Maine's placement on the Disabled List. He was designated for assignment on June 24.
On December 22, 2009, Switzer signed a minor league contract with the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
.
Jon Switzer retired after the 2010 season. He went back to school, and is now currently a business manager.
External links
- SoxProspects Biography and scouting report