Samuel Gervacio
Encyclopedia
Samuel Gervacio is a Major League Baseball
pitcher
. He is known for his unusual windup
.
Gervacio was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Houston Astros
on December 3, 2002. Gervacio began playing in the minor leagues in , playing for the Rookie League Greeneville Astros
and the Single-A Lexington Legends
. Gervacio had a 3-2 record with a 2.67 ERA
for Greeneville and led the team in games pitched (21), saves (8), and was tied for second in strikeouts with 53. Gervacio also made 5 relief appearances for the Legends, getting one win with an 0.96 ERA.
In , Gervacio played for the Legends again, this time for an entire season. With a 7-5 record and a 2.47 ERA, he led the team in games pitched (47) and saves (10).
In , Gervacio began the season for the Single-A Salem Avalanche
. He had a 1-3 record with a 2.44 ERA and led the team with 18 saves. On August 5, Gervacio was promoted to the Double-A Corpus Christi Hooks
, where he finished the season. For the Hooks, he went 3-2 with a 1.99 ERA.
On November 20, 2007, the Astros purchased Gervacio's contract, protecting him from the Rule 5 Draft
.
On July 30, 2009, Gervacio was called up to the Houston Astros
from Triple-A Round Rock after the Astros released Russ Ortiz
.
Gervacio signed a one-year minor league contract with the Astros for the 2011 season, with an invitation to spring training.
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...
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...
. He is known for his unusual windup
Pitching position
In baseball, there are two legal pitching positions: the windup, and the set. Each type of pitching position has its strengths and weaknesses. Compared to the set, the windup takes a relatively slower execution, so therefore is better suited for situations in which there are no baserunners, or when...
.
Gervacio was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by 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...
on December 3, 2002. Gervacio began playing in the minor leagues in , playing for the Rookie League Greeneville Astros
Greeneville Astros
The Greeneville Astros are a minor league baseball team of the Appalachian League, and a Rookie-level affiliate of the Houston Astros. They are located in Greeneville, Tennessee, and play their home games at Pioneer Park on the campus of Tusculum College....
and the Single-A Lexington Legends
Lexington Legends
The Lexington Legends are a minor league baseball team of the South Atlantic League , and the Class A affiliate of the Houston Astros. They are located in Lexington, Kentucky, and play their home games at Whitaker Bank Ballpark, located in an industrial area on the northeast side of the city just...
. Gervacio had a 3-2 record with a 2.67 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
for Greeneville and led the team in games pitched (21), saves (8), and was tied for second in strikeouts with 53. Gervacio also made 5 relief appearances for the Legends, getting one win with an 0.96 ERA.
In , Gervacio played for the Legends again, this time for an entire season. With a 7-5 record and a 2.47 ERA, he led the team in games pitched (47) and saves (10).
In , Gervacio began the season for the Single-A Salem Avalanche
Salem Avalanche
The Salem Red Sox are a minor league baseball team in Salem, Virginia, USA, an independent city adjacent to Roanoke, Virginia. They are a Class High-A team in the Carolina League and are a farm team of the Boston Red Sox...
. He had a 1-3 record with a 2.44 ERA and led the team with 18 saves. On August 5, Gervacio was promoted to the Double-A Corpus Christi Hooks
Corpus Christi Hooks
The Corpus Christi Hooks are a minor league baseball team of the Texas League, and are the Double-A affiliate of the Houston Astros. They are located in Corpus Christi, Texas, and are named for the city's association with fishing. The team's ownership group is headed by Baseball Hall of Famer Nolan...
, where he finished the season. For the Hooks, he went 3-2 with a 1.99 ERA.
On November 20, 2007, the Astros purchased Gervacio's contract, protecting 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...
.
On July 30, 2009, Gervacio was called up to 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...
from Triple-A Round Rock after the Astros released Russ Ortiz
Russ Ortiz
Russell Reid Ortiz is a retired Major League baseball pitcher. Ortiz played for the Atlanta Braves, Arizona Diamondbacks, Baltimore Orioles, San Francisco Giants, Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers...
.
Gervacio signed a one-year minor league contract with the Astros for the 2011 season, with an invitation to spring training.