Jason Lane, 37, pitched six scoreless innings, allowing only five hits in his 2014 debut for the El Paso Chihuahuas. The former big league outfielder is in the third full season of his attempt to return to the Major Leagues as a pitcher. However, this is the first of those three in which he has commenced the year in the starting rotation of an affiliated team.
Lane began 2012 in the bullpen for Reno(Arizona's AAA affiliate). He made 15 appearances for the Aces before being released in June. He completed the season as a starter for Sugar Land's Skeeters.
He continued as a starter for Sugar Land in 2013 until he signed with the Padres in July. In 35 games(34 starts) with the Atlantic League Skeeters in 2012-13, Lane posted a 3.08 ERA with 130 strikeouts in 216 1/3 innings pitched.
Lane spent six seasons in the big leagues as an outfielder. All but three games of that career were spent with Houston. He had 61 home runs and 189 RBI as an Astro.
He's already proven he's a good enough hitter for the World Series starting lineup, and can start AAA games as a pitcher and dominate. Pretty impressive even if he doesn't ever get called up again.
ReplyDelete