On this day in 1975, Jeffrey Charles D'Amico (not to be confused with fellow former major leaguer Jeffrey Michael D'Amico) was born in St. Petersburg, Florida. He was just 17 years old when the Brewers drafted him with the #23 overall pick in the 1993 draft, just two picks after the Twins took Torii Hunter and Jason Varitek with back-to-back selections.
D'Amico didn't make his pro debut until the 1995 season, but climbed the ladder very quickly. By 1996 (his age 20 season) he was already Baseball America's #25 prospect and splitting the season between AA and the Brewers. He made 17 starts for Milwaukee that season and posted a 5.44 ERA. He made 23 more starts as a 21 year old in 1997 before having shoulder surgery and pitching in just one game over the next two years.
D'Amico's best season was his first full one after the surgery: In 2000 he made 23 starts and posted a 2.66 ERA, striking out just 5.6 batters per nine but allowing just 1.16 combined walks and hits per inning. He narrowly missed winning the ERA title. Unfortunately, he couldn't carry the momentum into 2001 and posted a 6.08 ERA in ten starts while once again battling injuries.
The Brewers traded D'Amico to the Mets following the 2001 season and he pitched three more years as a member of the Mets, Pirates and Indians before retiring after just seven major league appearances in 2004.
Thanks to the B-Ref Play Index for reminding me that D'Amico turns 36 today.