Darren Ford (baseball)
Encyclopedia
Darren Scott Ford nicknamed The Bullet, is a FORMER professional baseball outfielder for the San Francisco Giants
His nickname ("The Bullet") is derived from his ability to steal bases with great efficiency.
in the 18th round, 526th overall, in the 2004 amateur draft.
. In 61 games that year, he hit .271 with one home run, 24 RBI and 18 stolen bases.
In 2006, he played in 125 games for the A-level West Virginia Power
, hitting .283 with seven home runs, 54 RBI and 69 stolen bases. He ranked second in the South Atlantic League
in stolen bases, behind only Eric Young, Jr.
He split the 2007 season between West Virginia and the Brevard County Manatees
, hitting a combined .278 with 9 home runs, 60 RBI and 67 stolen bases.
He began the 2008 season with the Manatees, however on July 20 he was traded to the Giants with minor leaguer Steve Hammond for Ray Durham
. He finished the season with the San Jose Giants
. He hit a combined .227 with 2 home runs, 34 RBI and 62 stolen bases that season.
With the San Jose Giants in 2009, Ford batted .300 with 9 home runs, 50 RBI and 35 stolen bases.
Ford was added to the Giants 40 man roster after the 2009 season to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft
.
Ford played 113 games during the 2010 season for the AA Richmond Flying Squirrels
, hitting .251 with 5 HR, 40 RBI, and 37 stolen bases. On September 1, 2010, when the rosters expanded, Ford was called up for the first time. His flights were delayed, and he arrived after the start of the game. In his major league debut, he was inserted as a pinch runner
in the bottom of the 8th inning of a tie game against the Colorado Rockies
. He advanced to second base on a bunt-and-run, reached third base
on a pitch that got only a few feet away from catcher
Miguel Olivo
, and scored the game winning run when Olivo overthrew third base on the play.
On April 30, 2011, Ford recorded his first major league hit. He singled off of Nationals relief pitcher Tyler Clippard
in the top of the eighth inning.
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
His nickname ("The Bullet") is derived from his ability to steal bases with great efficiency.
Early life
Ford played for the South Vineland Little League organization during his youth which went to the Junior League world series in Taylor, Michigan and the Senior League World Series in Kissimmee, Florida and Bangor, Maine. He was also a stand out high school football player and track star. In high school, he recorded a 4.44 sec 40 yard dash time.Draft
He was taken by the Milwaukee BrewersMilwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
in the 18th round, 526th overall, in the 2004 amateur draft.
Professional career
He began his professional career in 2005, playing for the Rookie-level Helena BrewersHelena Brewers
The Helena Brewers are a minor league baseball team in the Pioneer League and are the Advanced Rookie League affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. They are located in Helena, Montana...
. In 61 games that year, he hit .271 with one home run, 24 RBI and 18 stolen bases.
In 2006, he played in 125 games for the A-level West Virginia Power
West Virginia Power
This article is about the baseball team, for the electric utility serving southeast West Virginia from 1986-99, see Allegheny Energy.The West Virginia Power is a minor league baseball team of the South Atlantic League, and is the Class A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. They are located in...
, hitting .283 with seven home runs, 54 RBI and 69 stolen bases. He ranked second in the South Atlantic League
South Atlantic League
The South Atlantic League is a minor league baseball league based chiefly in the Southeastern United States, with the exception of three teams in the Mid-Atlantic States...
in stolen bases, behind only Eric Young, Jr.
Eric Young, Jr.
Eric Orlando Young, Jr. is a Major League Baseball second baseman and outfielder, currently playing in the Colorado Rockies system...
He split the 2007 season between West Virginia and the Brevard County Manatees
Brevard County Manatees
The Brevard County Manatees are a minor league baseball team of the Florida State League, and are the A-Advanced affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers...
, hitting a combined .278 with 9 home runs, 60 RBI and 67 stolen bases.
He began the 2008 season with the Manatees, however on July 20 he was traded to the Giants with minor leaguer Steve Hammond for Ray Durham
Ray Durham
Ray Durham , nicknamed The Sugarman, is a former Major League Baseball second baseman.A two-time All-Star, Durham in his prime was one of the premier offensive catalysts in all of baseball, providing prototypical lead-off hitting with power...
. He finished the season with the San Jose Giants
San Jose Giants
The San Jose Giants are a minor league baseball team in San Jose, California, USA. They are a Class A - Advanced team in the Northern Division of the California League, and have been a farm team of the San Francisco Giants since 1988. Home games are played at San Jose Municipal Stadium...
. He hit a combined .227 with 2 home runs, 34 RBI and 62 stolen bases that season.
With the San Jose Giants in 2009, Ford batted .300 with 9 home runs, 50 RBI and 35 stolen bases.
Ford was added to the Giants 40 man roster after the 2009 season to protect him from 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...
.
Ford played 113 games during the 2010 season for the AA Richmond Flying Squirrels
Richmond Flying Squirrels
The Richmond Flying Squirrels are a minor league baseball team in Richmond, Virginia. The team, which is a part of the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants major league club, and plays at The Diamond...
, hitting .251 with 5 HR, 40 RBI, and 37 stolen bases. On September 1, 2010, when the rosters expanded, Ford was called up for the first time. His flights were delayed, and he arrived after the start of the game. In his major league debut, he was inserted as a pinch runner
Pinch runner
A pinch runner is a baseball player substituted for the specific purpose of replacing a player on base. In the typical case, the pinch runner is faster or otherwise more skilled at base-running than the player for whom the pinch runner has been substituted...
in the bottom of the 8th inning of a tie game against the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
. He advanced to second base on a bunt-and-run, reached third base
Third Base
is a 1978 Japanese film directed by Yōichi Higashi.-External links:...
on a pitch that got only a few feet away from catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
Miguel Olivo
Miguel Olivo
Miguel Eduardo Olivo Peña is a Major League Baseball catcher for the Seattle Mariners. He bats and throws right-handed.-Career:...
, and scored the game winning run when Olivo overthrew third base on the play.
On April 30, 2011, Ford recorded his first major league hit. He singled off of Nationals relief pitcher Tyler Clippard
Tyler Clippard
Tyler Lee Clippard is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Washington Nationals.-New York Yankees:Clippard was drafted in the 9th round of the 2003 MLB Draft by the New York Yankees out of J. W. Mitchell High School...
in the top of the eighth inning.