It took 22.2 innings of pitching without giving up a single earned run for Kyle Foster to get noticed in 2008. Which team did their homework? The reigning World Series Champion Boston Red Sox. They purchased Foster’s contract and will send him to Class-A Greenville of the South Atlantic League. Here’s a segment of the Saints’ official press release:
The 23-year-old Foster was nearly flawless in 2008 going 1-1 with a 0.00 ERA and one save in 22.2 innings pitched. In 13 games out of the bullpen he allowed just two unearned runs, which came last Tuesday night, while walking five and striking out 19 as the opposition hit a miniscule .185 against him.
“There isn’t anyone in this league that deserves the opportunity more than Kyle,” said Saints manager George Tsamis. “He’s a great kid and has been great since he got here.”
…great quote from george tsamis there. that really shows you what a class act george is, and how badly he wants the best for his players. he just lost one of his best pitchers, and has a bullpen featuring three players, one of which threw 2.2 innings last night, but his first comment on foster’s signing had nothing to do with the team that he has to manage. instead, george sees the big picture, and i truly believe that he’s not only saying the right thing — that’s just how george feels. as for foster, happy trails — saintsblog wishes you the best of luck, although we will really miss watching you pitch foster had really matured into a dominant reliever this season under george and mitch wylie’s tutelage. foster was spotting his fastball and throwing a devastating splitter, and it was really only a matter of time before he got signed to his first contract to play in affiliated ball. as for the saints, well they need to fill some holes. i’m guessing that mitch wylie is the first step — he needs to start on tuesday or pitch out of the bullpen with the knowledge that lord, who could go on three days rest, will need help. either way, the saints can’t pitch with a three-man bullpen — they play ten times in the last ten days of the first half, so it’s either wylie in the rotation with bolton in the bullpen or bolton in the rotation with wylie working his arm out in the ‘pen until he’s ready to join the rotation…
Tags: Affiliated Baseball, Kyle Foster
