Wade Townsend
Wade Townsend | |
---|---|
Pitcher | |
Born: Austin, Texas, U.S. | February 22, 1983|
Bats: Right Throws: Right |
Wade Daniel Townsend (born February 22, 1983) is an American former professional baseball
College career
Townsend spent his first season as a reliever for Rice, which went to the
In 2003, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod Baseball League, and received the league's Outstanding Pro Prospect award.[2][3] Rice's most consistent starter in 2004, Townsend finished 12–0 with a 1.80 ERA and two saves. Against San Jose State April 17, he came four outs away from a no-hitter.
Townsend, Philip Humber, and Jeff Niemann were all selected in the first eight picks of the 2004 draft – the first time three teammates had ever gone so early in the same draft.[4] Townsend and the Orioles, however, did not agree to contract terms. He hired an agent, thereby renouncing his collegiate eligibility, and enrolled at Rice to complete his degree in his seventh semester. Major League Baseball, however, ruled that Townsend's return to school terminated the Orioles' right to negotiate a contract. He re-entered the draft in 2005 and was again taken eighth overall, this time by the Devil Rays.[5]
Professional career
Townsend's professional debut came at Class A Short-Season Hudson Valley. He finished the season 0–4 with a 5.49 ERA in 12 appearances, including 10 starts. He pitched in the Arizona Fall League in the 2005 off season. In fall of 2005 Townsend underwent Tommy John surgery on his elbow.[6]
In fall 2008, Townsend was again sent to the Arizona Fall League, where he lasted only 10+2⁄3 innings and gave up 12 runs before he was sidelined with shoulder problems. Townsend underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum and ended up in rehab for most of the 2010 season. After an atrocious half-season in the independent leagues, Townsend retired in late 2010.
Poker career
Townsend began playing poker professionally while at Rice University in the fall of 2004, after turning down a $2.2 million signing bonus from the Baltimore Orioles in order to finish his degree. In the offseason he has competed in World Series of Poker tournaments since 2011 while residing internationally to play in the offseason. [7]
References
- ^ Miller, Doug (February 19, 2015). "Former MLB Prospect Wade Townsend Finds Calling In Poker". Sports On Earth. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
- ^ "2003 Wareham Gatemen". thebaseballcube.com. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
- ^ T.J. Lasita (June 2, 2004). "Gatemen set to return to Cape League pinnacle". capecodbaseball.org. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
- ^ Kubatko, Roch (June 8, 2004). "O's draft Townsend with No. 8 selection". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 13, 2014.
- ^ Former Rice pitcher taken No. 8 in First-Year draft
- ^ Borzi, Pat (June 18, 2006). "Celebration to Surgery For Three College Pitching Stars". The New York Times. Retrieved October 13, 2014.
- ^ [1] PokerNews.com
External links
- Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference (Minors)
- BISCUITS BASEBALL: Townsend hopes to throw with a full deck