Former Lookouts Outfielder Shifts to The Pitcher's Mound

[CTA513]

Hes in the Reds minor leagues and cant really hit, so they are going to give him a chance to pitch this year after letting him pitch in a few mop up roles last year.

[quote][b]Former Lookouts Outfielder, Rick Asadoorian, Shifts to The Pitcher's Mound[/b]
by Tim Evearitt
posted March 28, 2007

[b]Last year manager Jayhawk Owens called upon Rick Asadoorian, a #1 draft pick in 1999 (Boston) and an outfielder, to pitch in relief when the Lookouts were hopelessly behind in games. Asadoorian lit up the radar gun and showed exceptional control for a non-pitcher.[/b]

If Rick Ankiel (St. Louis Cardinals) can move from being a pitcher to an outfield prospect, why can't Asadoorian move from the outfield to the pitcher's mound?

It's happened before with positive results.

Longtime Chattanooga fans (1991, 1992) recall that Trevor Hoffman did the same thing. He put down his infielder's glove and took up pitching. The Reds' traded Hoffman to the San Diego Padres, and Hoffman now holds the Major League record for saves.

Asadoorian, who has been in the Reds organization since December 2004 as an outfielder, has officially switched over to a pitcher.

[b]Last season he pitched mop up duties in a total of four innings, allowing 4 hits, 0 walks, 0 runs and had 7 strikeouts. He was hitting the mid 90s on the radar gun… not bad for an outfielder. [/b]

No word yet on where he will start but probably at low-A Dayton.[/quote]

[url="http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_104411.asp"]http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_104411.asp[/url]