On this day in 2006, a once-promising Brewer prospect hit the end of the road with the organization. Pitcher Chris Saenz, best known for coming out of near total obscurity to pitch six shutout innings in a spot start in 2004, was let go after making just one major league appearance.
Saenz was only 22 years old when he was called up from AA for that single game in 2004, but injury struck soon after. Saenz made just 14 appearances for AA Huntsville that season before suffering a severe arm injury. He missed the entire 2005 season and had not yet pitched in 2006 at the time of his release.
Saenz made comeback attempts in the minors in both 2007 and 2008, pitching in the Angels organization and the independent Golden Baseball and Northern Leagues. He posted an ERA over 8 in each of those three stops, though, and hasn't pitched in affiliated ball since. He's still only 30.
With help from the B-Ref Play Index, happy birthday today to:
- 1993 Brewer Joe Kmak, who turns 49.
- 2000-02 Brewer manager Davey Lopes, who turns 67.
Today also would have been the 107th birthday of Red Ruffing, the greatest hitting pitcher of all time. We covered that in this space last year.