Guide Note:Mike Pelfrey is a Major League Baseball player for the New York Mets. His pitching style has earned him the nickname among the New York Mets front office as "Big Pelf". He grew up in Wichita, Kansas and was named Kansas high school player of the year in both 2001 and 2002. After graduating from Wichita Heights High School he was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays but chose to attend Wichita State University. In 2004 he helped Team USA win a gold medal at the World University Baseball Championship. He spent 3 years pitching at Wichita State University. "Baseball America" ranked him the fifth best prospect in the draft and with the fourth best fastball among collegiate pitchers. He then entered the June 2005 amateur baseball draft where he was selected by the New York Mets. After a lengthy negotiation process, he was signed to a 4 year contact on January 10, 2006. He started his professional career with the St. Lucie Mets in the lower minor leagues, then promoted later in 2006 to the AA afiliate Binghamton Mets. Made his Major League Baseball debut on July 8, 2006 against the Florida Marlins. He earned the victory that day pitching 5 innings, allowing 3 runs, 2 earned, on 5 hits with 4 walks and 3 strikeouts. In August he was sent to the Norfolk Tides and finished the season there. He was back with the New York Mets to start the 2007 season but then was sent to the AAA affiliate New Orleans Zephyrs after starting the season with 0 wins and an earned run average of 6.55. He pitched strongly in September after being recalled by the New York Mets and has made the opening day roster and starting pitching rotation in 2008.
Fast Facts:
- Born: January 14, 1984 in Ohio
- Full name: Michael Alan Pelfrey
- Position: Pitcher
- Bats: Right
- Throws: Right
- College: Wichita State University
- Drafted: 15th round, 2002 by Tampa Bay Rays
- Drafted: 9th overall pick in 2005 by the New York Mets
- Major League Debut: July 8, 2006
- Career Record: 5 wins, 9 losses
- Career Earned Run Average: 5.55
