Michael Crotta
Encyclopedia
Michael John Crotta is an American
professional baseball
pitcher
for the Pittsburgh Pirates
of Major League Baseball
.
Prior to playing professionally, he attended Martin County High School
in Stuart, Florida
and then Florida Atlantic University
. He was originally drafted in the 47th round of the 2003 amateur draft by the Philadelphia Phillies
, however he opted not to sign. He was next drafted by the Pirates in the 17th round of the 2006 amateur draft, beginning his professional career that year.
In 2006, Crotta played for the Williamsport Crosscutters
and Hickory Crawdads
, going 2-5 with a 4.87 ERA in 15 games (11 starts). He pitched for Hickory and the Altoona Curve
in 2007, posting a record of 10-6 with a 4.50 ERA. In 2008, he went 9-10 with a 4.67 ERA for the Lynchburg Hillcats
and in 2009, he went went 7-8 with a 4.76 ERA for the Altoona Curve. He split 2010 between the Curve and Indianapolis Indians
, going a combined 7-10 with a 4.42 ERA in 28 starts.
coming into relief in the 7th inning. He retired all three batters he faced, recording one strike-out.
On July 31, 2011, Crotta was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for recently acquired Derrek Lee
and Ryan Ludwick
. The club released him on August 8. He signed a minor league contract with Pittsburgh on August 11.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
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...
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...
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...
.
Prior to playing professionally, he attended Martin County High School
Martin County High School
Martin County High School is a public high school in Stuart, Florida in the Martin County School District. The school enrolled 1,967 students in a 2008 census. Its mascot is the Tiger, and its colors are blue and yellow.-Administration:...
in Stuart, Florida
Stuart, Florida
Stuart is the only incorporated city of Martin County, Florida, on Florida's Treasure Coast. The population was 14,633 at the 2000 census. As of 2007, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 15,964....
and then Florida Atlantic University
Florida Atlantic University
Florida Atlantic University, also referred to as FAU or Florida Atlantic, is a public, coeducational, research university located in , United States. The university has six satellite campuses located in the Florida cities of Dania Beach, Davie, Fort Lauderdale, Jupiter, Port St. Lucie, and in Fort...
. He was originally drafted in the 47th round of the 2003 amateur draft by 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...
, however he opted not to sign. He was next drafted by the Pirates in the 17th round of the 2006 amateur draft, beginning his professional career that year.
In 2006, Crotta played for the Williamsport Crosscutters
Williamsport Crosscutters
The Williamsport Crosscutters are a Short-Season A classification minor league baseball team based in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, in the United States...
and Hickory Crawdads
Hickory Crawdads
The Hickory Crawdads are a Minor League Baseball team in Hickory, North Carolina, USA. They are a Class A team in the South Atlantic League, and have been a farm team of the Texas Rangers since 2009. Previously, they were a Class A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Crawdads play home games...
, going 2-5 with a 4.87 ERA in 15 games (11 starts). He pitched for Hickory and 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...
in 2007, posting a record of 10-6 with a 4.50 ERA. In 2008, he went 9-10 with a 4.67 ERA for the Lynchburg Hillcats
Lynchburg Hillcats
The Lynchburg Hillcats are a minor league baseball team in Lynchburg, Virginia. They are a Class High-A team in the Carolina League, and currently are a farm team of the Atlanta Braves. They had been a farm team of the Pittsburgh Pirates since 1995, with the Cincinnati Reds fulfilling the final...
and in 2009, he went went 7-8 with a 4.76 ERA for the Altoona Curve. He split 2010 between the Curve and Indianapolis Indians
Indianapolis Indians
The Indianapolis Indians are a minor league baseball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates major-league club. The Indians play at Victory Field, located in downtown Indianapolis...
, going a combined 7-10 with a 4.42 ERA in 28 starts.
Major leagues
In 2011, Crotta made the Pirates' 25-man roster coming out of Spring Training. He made his Major League debut on April 3, 2011 against the Chicago CubsChicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
coming into relief in the 7th inning. He retired all three batters he faced, recording one strike-out.
On July 31, 2011, Crotta was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for recently acquired Derrek Lee
Derrek Lee
Derrek Leon Lee , or "D-Lee", is a Major League Baseball first baseman. Lee has played with the San Diego Padres , the Florida Marlins , Chicago Cubs , Atlanta Braves , Baltimore Orioles and Pittsburgh Pirates . He bats and throws right-handed.Lee was a World Series Champion with Florida in 2003,...
and Ryan Ludwick
Ryan Ludwick
Ryan Andrew Ludwick is a Major League Baseball right fielder. His brother Eric played four seasons in Major League Baseball as a pitcher.-High school, college, and minor leagues:Ludwick attended Durango High School in Las Vegas, Nevada....
. The club released him on August 8. He signed a minor league contract with Pittsburgh on August 11.