Erik Kratz
Encyclopedia
Erik Floyd Kratz in Telford, Pennsylvania
is a catcher
in the Philadelphia Phillies
organization. He played baseball at Eastern Mennonite University
in Harrisonburg
, Virginia
. He was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays
in 2002 and signed by the Pirates organization as minor league free agent
prior to the 2009 season.
. Kratz then spent seven seasons in the Blue Jays minor league system before leaving the organization as a minor league free agent.
In 2009, he signed with the Pirates, who were in need of a primary Triple-A catcher after the call up of Robinzon Diaz
to replace the injured Ryan Doumit
. On July 12, 2010 the Pirates optioned catcher Jason Jaramillo
to Triple-A Indianapolis Indians
and the team announced Kratz would be called up to replace him.
He made his Major League
debut on July 17, 2010 against the Houston Astros
. He batted 7th and recorded his first hit against Astros starter Bud Norris
, a single to right center field and drove in his first run later in the game. He finished the night hitting 2-for-5 with a run scored and an RBI.
In the 2011 Major League Baseball season
he was in the Philadelphia Phillies
minor league organization, and was called up to the big league club on September 16, 2011.
Telford, Pennsylvania
Telford is a borough in Bucks and Montgomery counties in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. The population was 4,872 at the time of the 2010 census.- History :...
is a 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...
in 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...
organization. He played baseball at Eastern Mennonite University
Eastern Mennonite University
Eastern Mennonite University is a private liberal arts university in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, affiliated with one of the historic peace churches, the Mennonite Church USA. Its main campus is on the edge of the small city of Harrisonburg, Virginia, about three miles from state-owned...
in Harrisonburg
Harrisonburg, Virginia
Harrisonburg is an independent city in the Shenandoah Valley region of Virginia in the United States. Its population as of 2010 is 48,914, and at the 2000 census, 40,468. Harrisonburg is the county seat of Rockingham County and the core city of the Harrisonburg, Virginia Metropolitan Statistical...
, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
. He was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
in 2002 and signed by the Pirates organization as minor league free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
prior to the 2009 season.
Baseball career
Kratz was selected by the Blue Jays in the 29th round of the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft2002 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2002 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 4 and 5.This year's draft is featured in Michael Lewis' 2003 book Moneyball.-First Round Selections:-Supplemental First Round Compensation Selections:...
. Kratz then spent seven seasons in the Blue Jays minor league system before leaving the organization as a minor league free agent.
In 2009, he signed with the Pirates, who were in need of a primary Triple-A catcher after the call up of Robinzon Diaz
Robinzon Díaz
Robinzon Díaz Henriquez is a catcher for the Texas Rangers organization.-2008 season:...
to replace the injured Ryan Doumit
Ryan Doumit
Ryan Matthew Doumit is an American professional baseball catcher for the Minnesota Twins of Major League Baseball. He played the first seven years of his career for the Pittsburgh Pirates.-Professional career:...
. On July 12, 2010 the Pirates optioned catcher Jason Jaramillo
Jason Jaramillo
Jason Cory Jaramillo is a catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. He played collegiately at Oklahoma State University. Jaramillo was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the second round of the 2004 MLB Draft. He was also ranked one of the top ten prospects in the Phillies system for...
to Triple-A Indianapolis Indians
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
and the team announced Kratz would be called up to replace him.
He made his Major League
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...
debut on July 17, 2010 against 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...
. He batted 7th and recorded his first hit against Astros starter Bud Norris
Bud Norris
David Stefan "Bud" Norris is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Houston Astros.- Minor League Career :...
, a single to right center field and drove in his first run later in the game. He finished the night hitting 2-for-5 with a run scored and an RBI.
In the 2011 Major League Baseball season
2011 Major League Baseball season
The 2011 Major League Baseball season began on Thursday, March 31, and ended on Wednesday, September 28. This marked the first time a season began on a Thursday since , and the first time a regular season ended on a Wednesday since...
he was in 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...
minor league organization, and was called up to the big league club on September 16, 2011.