Scott Elarton
Encyclopedia
Vincent Scott Elarton is a right-handed pitcher
in Major League Baseball
who is currently a free agent
. He has played for the Houston Astros
(-), Colorado Rockies
(2001-), Cleveland Indians (2004-) and the Kansas City Royals
(-).
At 6' 8", Elarton is among the many pitchers whose height is more commonly associated with the National Basketball Association
(like 6' 10" Randy Johnson
, 6' 11" Jon Rauch
, and 6' 9" Mark Hendrickson
- who actually played in the NBA for a few dozen games). Elarton was chosen by the Astros in the first round of the Major League Baseball Draft (25th overall) when he was just 18 years old. Forgoing college for the minor leagues, Elarton went from the single-A level to triple-A in and made his major league debut on June 20, 1998, at only 22 years of age.
Elarton spent most of 1998 as a relief pitcher
and registered an impressive 3.32 earned run average
(but gave up the game-winning run in the pivotal Game 3 of the National League Division Series
against the eventual league champion San Diego Padres
). He started in the bullpen
, but was moved to starter in early July and was impressive again with an overall 3.48 ERA and 9–5 record
.
Elarton had shoulder surgery after the 1999 season and started on the disabled list
and in minor league rehabilitation. Despite the injury, he had the best season of his career in 2000, posting a 17–7 record for a poor Astros team that compiled only a 72–90 record. Elarton was named the team's pitcher of the year which was an easy choice as he won twice as many games as any other pitcher on the team. He had a high 4.81 ERA, but that was still better than all of the starters and most of the relievers on the team in the brand new hitter-friendly Enron Field
.
Elarton has not regained the glory of 2000. In 2001, Enron Field got its revenge and Elarton's ERA continued to skyrocket up to a miserable 7.14. He was traded to the Rockies for Pedro Astacio
at the trading deadline. Although he was back in his home state of Colorado
, the Rockies' Coors Field
stadium is an even more hitter-friendly stadium. When his 2001 season came to an end, he had a 7.06 ERA and was fifth-worst in the National League
in home runs allowed
and eighth-worst in earned run
s allowed.
Matters got worse when Elarton had major shoulder surgery and missed the entire season and then spent primarily in the minors (with another poor 6.27 ERA in 11 games in the majors). 2004 started out even more miserably with an ERA of 9.80 before the Rockies released him in mid-May.
Getting away from hitter-friendly parks worked wonders for Elarton. After being released by the Rockies in 2004, he was signed to a minor-league contract by Cleveland, pitched very well and was soon back in the majors. Elarton was markedly better with Cleveland, posting a much more reasonable 4.53 ERA although he continued to be victimized by home runs and his record was only 3-5. On August 29, 2004, Elarton pitched the best game of his career, a two-hit
complete game
shutout
allowing only one walk and six strikeout
s.
In 2005, Elarton spent his first season entirely in the majors since his disastrous 2001. He responded with a very nice 11-9 record for the second-place Indians and a 4.61 ERA that would have been better except for a poor first five weeks. Again the downside was home runs allowed as he ranked in the ten worst in that category for the second year in a row.
After the 2005 season, Elarton was signed as a free agent
by the Kansas City Royals. In 2006, Elarton gave up Derek Jeter
's 2000th career hit. The Royals released him on July 25, 2007, after going 2-4 with a 10.46 ERA in 37 innings. He signed a minor league
contract with the Indians on August 3, 2007, and re-signed with the Indians on February 8, 2008, to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training
. He was called up to the majors on May 24.
On July 8, Elarton was put on the 15-day disabled list with a non-baseball condition. He had been on the restricted list prior to that with what Indians manager Eric Wedge described as "personal issues."
Like many pitchers, Elarton has a hard time with Barry Bonds
(6-for-8 with 4 HR and a double
), Phil Nevin
(6-for-11, 2 HR), Hank Blalock
(3-for-5, 2 HR) and Albert Pujols
(3-for-5, 2 HR) and has also been a favorite of David Dellucci
(4-for-8 with 3 HR) and Kevin Witt
(4-for-6, HR and a double).
Unlike many pitchers, Elarton has had success against Vladimir Guerrero
(4-for-18 with 0 extra base hit
s and 1 base on balls
), Shawn Green
(3-for-17) and Jim Edmonds
(2-for-15). His other favorite hitters are José Vidro
(1-for-19), Orlando Cabrera
(0-for-11) and Barry Larkin
(0-for-8, .000 on base percentage
).
.
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...
in 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...
who is currently a 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....
. He has played for 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...
(-), 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...
(2001-), Cleveland Indians (2004-) and the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
(-).
At 6' 8", Elarton is among the many pitchers whose height is more commonly associated with the National Basketball Association
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
(like 6' 10" Randy Johnson
Randy Johnson
Randall David Johnson , nicknamed "The Big Unit", is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. During a 22-year career, he pitched for six different teams....
, 6' 11" Jon Rauch
Jon Rauch
Jon Erich Rauch is a right-handed relief pitcher who is currently a free agent. At 6' 11" , he is the tallest player in Major League Baseball history. He is also an Olympic Gold Medalist.-Early years:...
, and 6' 9" Mark Hendrickson
Mark Hendrickson
Mark Allan Hendrickson is an American Major League Baseball pitcher who currently plays for the Baltimore Orioles. Hendrickson is also a retired National Basketball Association power forward who played 114 NBA games before becoming a pitcher full-time. He is one of just 12 athletes to play in both...
- who actually played in the NBA for a few dozen games). Elarton was chosen by the Astros in the first round of the Major League Baseball Draft (25th overall) when he was just 18 years old. Forgoing college for the minor leagues, Elarton went from the single-A level to triple-A in and made his major league debut on June 20, 1998, at only 22 years of age.
Elarton spent most of 1998 as a relief pitcher
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
and registered an impressive 3.32 earned run average
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...
(but gave up the game-winning run in the pivotal Game 3 of the National League Division Series
National League Division Series
In Major League Baseball, the National League Division Series determine which two teams from the National League will advance to the National League Championship Series...
against the eventual league champion San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
). He started in the bullpen
Bullpen
In baseball, the bullpen is the area where relief pitchers warm-up before entering a game. Depending on the ballpark, it may be situated in foul territory along the baselines or just beyond the outfield fence. Also, a team's roster of relief pitchers is metonymically referred to as "the bullpen"...
, but was moved to starter in early July and was impressive again with an overall 3.48 ERA and 9–5 record
Win (baseball)
In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...
.
Elarton had shoulder surgery after the 1999 season and started on the disabled list
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
and in minor league rehabilitation. Despite the injury, he had the best season of his career in 2000, posting a 17–7 record for a poor Astros team that compiled only a 72–90 record. Elarton was named the team's pitcher of the year which was an easy choice as he won twice as many games as any other pitcher on the team. He had a high 4.81 ERA, but that was still better than all of the starters and most of the relievers on the team in the brand new hitter-friendly Enron Field
Minute Maid Park
Minute Maid Park is a ballpark in Downtown Houston, Texas, United States that opened in 2000 to house the Major League Baseball Houston Astros....
.
Elarton has not regained the glory of 2000. In 2001, Enron Field got its revenge and Elarton's ERA continued to skyrocket up to a miserable 7.14. He was traded to the Rockies for Pedro Astacio
Pedro Astacio
Pedro Julio Astacio is a Major League Baseball pitcher. He has played for the Los Angeles Dodgers , Colorado Rockies , Houston Astros , New York Mets , Boston Red Sox , Texas Rangers , the San Diego Padres and the Washington Nationals...
at the trading deadline. Although he was back in his home state of Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
, the Rockies' Coors Field
Coors Field
Coors Field, located in Denver, Colorado, is the home field of Major League Baseball's Colorado Rockies. It is named for the Coors Brewing Company of Golden, Colorado, which purchased the naming rights to the park prior to its completion in 1995...
stadium is an even more hitter-friendly stadium. When his 2001 season came to an end, he had a 7.06 ERA and was fifth-worst in the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
in home runs allowed
Home runs allowed
In baseball statistics, home runs allowed signifies the total number of home runs a pitcher allowed.The record for the most home runs allowed by any pitcher belongs to Jamie Moyer , the oldest active pitcher in the major leagues...
and eighth-worst in earned run
Earned run
In baseball, an earned run is any run for which the pitcher is held accountable . Any runner who tags his base and reaches home plate is scored against the pitcher as an earned run...
s allowed.
Matters got worse when Elarton had major shoulder surgery and missed the entire season and then spent primarily in the minors (with another poor 6.27 ERA in 11 games in the majors). 2004 started out even more miserably with an ERA of 9.80 before the Rockies released him in mid-May.
Getting away from hitter-friendly parks worked wonders for Elarton. After being released by the Rockies in 2004, he was signed to a minor-league contract by Cleveland, pitched very well and was soon back in the majors. Elarton was markedly better with Cleveland, posting a much more reasonable 4.53 ERA although he continued to be victimized by home runs and his record was only 3-5. On August 29, 2004, Elarton pitched the best game of his career, a two-hit
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
complete game
Complete game
In baseball, a complete game is the act of a pitcher pitching an entire game without the benefit of a relief pitcher.As demonstrated by the charts below, in the early 20th century, it was common for most good Major League Baseball pitchers to pitch a complete game almost every start. Pitchers were...
shutout
Shutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
allowing only one walk and six strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s.
In 2005, Elarton spent his first season entirely in the majors since his disastrous 2001. He responded with a very nice 11-9 record for the second-place Indians and a 4.61 ERA that would have been better except for a poor first five weeks. Again the downside was home runs allowed as he ranked in the ten worst in that category for the second year in a row.
After the 2005 season, Elarton was signed as a 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....
by the Kansas City Royals. In 2006, Elarton gave up Derek Jeter
Derek Jeter
Derek Sanderson Jeter is an American baseball shortstop who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. A twelve-time All-Star and five-time World Series champion, Jeter's clubhouse presence, on-field leadership, hitting ability, and baserunning have made him a central...
's 2000th career hit. The Royals released him on July 25, 2007, after going 2-4 with a 10.46 ERA in 37 innings. He signed a minor league
Minor league
Minor leagues are professional sports leagues which are not regarded as the premier leagues in those sports. Minor league teams tend to play in smaller, less elaborate venues, often competing in smaller cities. This term is used in North America with regard to several organizations competing in...
contract with the Indians on August 3, 2007, and re-signed with the Indians on February 8, 2008, to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
. He was called up to the majors on May 24.
On July 8, Elarton was put on the 15-day disabled list with a non-baseball condition. He had been on the restricted list prior to that with what Indians manager Eric Wedge described as "personal issues."
Like many pitchers, Elarton has a hard time with Barry Bonds
Barry Bonds
Barry Lamar Bonds is an American former Major League Baseball outfielder. Bonds played from 1986 to 2007, for the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants. He is the son of former major league All-Star Bobby Bonds...
(6-for-8 with 4 HR and a double
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
), Phil Nevin
Phil Nevin
Phillip Joseph Nevin is a retired American professional baseball player who spent twelve seasons in Major League Baseball with the Houston Astros , Detroit Tigers , Anaheim Angels , San Diego Padres , Texas Rangers , Chicago Cubs and Minnesota Twins...
(6-for-11, 2 HR), Hank Blalock
Hank Blalock
Hank Joe Blalock is a Major League Baseball third baseman who is currently a free agent.-High school:Blalock attended Rancho Bernardo High School in San Diego, California...
(3-for-5, 2 HR) and Albert Pujols
Albert Pujols
José Alberto Pujols Alcántara , better known as Albert Pujols , is a Dominican-American professional baseball player, who is currently a free agent...
(3-for-5, 2 HR) and has also been a favorite of David Dellucci
David Dellucci
David Michael Dellucci is a retired Major League Baseball outfielder.-High School:Dellucci graduated from Catholic High in Baton Rouge in 1991. He earned the team's Most Valuable Player honors in both baseball and football, and All-State honors for baseball...
(4-for-8 with 3 HR) and Kevin Witt
Kevin Witt
Kevin Witt is an American baseball player. Witt was drafted in the first round, 28th overall, by Major League Baseball's Toronto Blue Jays in the 1994 Major League Baseball Draft...
(4-for-6, HR and a double).
Unlike many pitchers, Elarton has had success against Vladimir Guerrero
Vladimir Guerrero
Vladimir Alvino Guerrero is a free agent Major League Baseball right fielder and designated hitter.In , he was voted the American League MVP...
(4-for-18 with 0 extra base hit
Extra base hit
In baseball, an extra base hit , also known as a long hit, is any base hit on which the batter is able to advance past first base without the benefit of a fielder either committing an error or opting to make a throw to retire another base runner...
s and 1 base on balls
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
), Shawn Green
Shawn Green
Shawn David Green is a former Major League Baseball player.Green was a 1st round draft pick and a two-time major league All-Star...
(3-for-17) and Jim Edmonds
Jim Edmonds
James Patrick "Jim" Edmonds is a former American Major League Baseball center fielder. He played for the California/Anaheim Angels, the St. Louis Cardinals, the San Diego Padres, the Milwaukee Brewers, the Chicago Cubs, and the Cincinnati Reds...
(2-for-15). His other favorite hitters are José Vidro
José Vidro
José Angel Vidro is a former Major League Baseball second baseman. Though he never officially retired, Vidro has not played since .-Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals:...
(1-for-19), Orlando Cabrera
Orlando Cabrera
Orlando Luis Cabrera, nicknamed "O-Cab" and "The OC", is a Colombian-American baseball infielder.He won a World Series championship in 2004 with the Boston Red Sox. He has played for the Montreal Expos, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, Minnesota Twins,...
(0-for-11) and Barry Larkin
Barry Larkin
Barry Louis Larkin is a retired Major League Baseball player. Larkin played shortstop for the Cincinnati Reds from 1986 to 2004 and was one of the pivotal players on the 1990 Reds' World Series championship team...
(0-for-8, .000 on base percentage
On base percentage
In baseball statistics, on-base percentage is a measure of how often a batter reaches base for any reason other than a fielding error, fielder's choice, dropped/uncaught third strike, fielder's obstruction, or catcher's interference In baseball statistics, on-base percentage (OBP) (sometimes...
).
Personal
Scott Elarton is married to Laurie and has a son, Kenan Reid, and lives in Denver, ColoradoColorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
.