Aaron Crow

Summary

Aaron James Crow (born November 10, 1986) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He pitched in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Kansas City Royals.

Aaron Crow
Crow with the Kansas City Royals
Pitcher
Born: (1986-11-10) November 10, 1986 (age 37)
Topeka, Kansas, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
March 31, 2011, for the Kansas City Royals
Last MLB appearance
September 28, 2014, for the Kansas City Royals
MLB statistics
Win–loss record20–11
Earned run average3.43
Strikeouts208
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Early life edit

Crow was born on November 10, 1986, in Topeka, Kansas[1] to parents Kevin and Julie Crow.[2] Crow and his siblings—brother Travis and sister Jennifer—were raised in the small community of Wakarusa, Kansas, not far from Topeka.[2] Following his graduation from Washburn Rural High School, Crow attended the University of Missouri.

College career edit

In his three years for the Missouri Tigers baseball team, Crow started 46 games, going 23–8 with a 3.27 earned run average (ERA).

Spending time in both the bullpen and the starting rotation as a freshman, Crow earned his first career victory by throwing a complete game against Pepperdine, staving off elimination in the 2006 NCAA Regional.[3] Mizzou went on to win the regional, becoming the first #4 seed ever to win an NCAA Regional.[4]

As a sophomore, Crow went 9–4 with a 3.60 ERA, earning first-team All Big 12 honors.[5]

As a junior, Crow went 13–0 with a 2.35 ERA. He threw four complete-game shutouts and struck out 10.65 batters per nine innings. He was named the Big 12 Conference Pitcher of the Year.[6]

He won the Robert A. McNeece Award as the top professional prospect in the 2007 Cape Cod Baseball League season while playing for the Falmouth Commodores.[7][8]

Professional career edit

Crow was selected by the Washington Nationals in the first round of the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft with the ninth overall selection. Negotiations stalled and Crow did not sign.[9] Crow signed with the Fort Worth Cats for the 2009 season.[10]

Kansas City Royals edit

Crow was selected with the twelfth pick in the first round of the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft by the Kansas City Royals. Crow signed a contract with the Royals on September 15, 2009. To make room for Danny Duffy on the Double A Northwest Arkansas Naturals roster, Crow was demoted to High-A Wilmington on July 31, 2010.

Crow made his first major league appearance on March 31, 2011, which was Opening Day. He faced four Angels batters, striking out three.[11]

On May 30, 2011, Royals manager Ned Yost announced that Crow had been promoted to the team's closer position on a temporary basis to replace the struggling Joakim Soria.[12] However, on June 6, Yost announced that Soria had earned the spot back.[13] Crow had no save opportunities in his brief stint as closer.

In 2011, Crow was selected to the All-Star Game, although he did not play.[14]

Miami Marlins edit

On November 28, 2014, the Royals traded Crow to the Miami Marlins for Brian Flynn and Reid Redman.[15]

Chicago Cubs edit

Crow signed a minor league deal with the Chicago Cubs in February 2016. He became a free agent on November 7, 2016.

Acereros de Monclova edit

On May 1, 2018, Crow signed with the Acereros de Monclova of the Mexican Baseball League.

Pericos de Puebla edit

On July 3, 2018, Crow signed with the Pericos de Puebla of the Mexican Baseball League. After the 2018, season, Crow became a free agent and retired from professional baseball.

Pitching style edit

Crow is a sinkerballer with a heavy sinker at 94–97 mph. His main off-speed pitch, and most-used pitch against right-handed hitters, is a slider at 85–88. He also has a four-seam fastball. Against left-handed hitters, he throws a small amount of curveballs and changeups. The majority of his 2-strike pitches are sliders, owing to its 49% whiff rate.[16]

References edit

  1. ^ "Aaron Crow". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
  2. ^ a b Kaegel, Dick (24 December 2012). "Crow relishes spending holidays near Kansas City". MLB.com via KC Royals official team website. Archived from the original on 2 January 2013. Retrieved 28 December 2012.
  3. ^ "Missouri Downs Pepperdine Behind Crow's Complete Game". Archived from the original on September 5, 2012. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
  4. ^ "Mizzou baseball team upsets Pepperdine". msnbc. Archived from the original on 20 July 2012. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
  5. ^ "Player Bio: Aaron Crow". mutigers.com. Archived from the original on 14 July 2011. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
  6. ^ "Aaron Crow Named Big 12 Pitcher of the Year". mutigers.com. Archived from the original on February 8, 2013. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
  7. ^ "2007 Falmouth Commodores". thebaseballcube.com. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  8. ^ Bailey, Erica. "Robert A. McNeece Award as Top Pro Prospect Of 2007 Goes to Falmouth Pitcher Aaron Crow". capecodbaseball.org. Retrieved 13 February 2013.
  9. ^ "BaseballAmerica.com: Prospects: Ask BA". Archived from the original on 2009-05-23. Retrieved 2009-06-10.
  10. ^ "Fort Worth Cats sign Aaron Crow". OurSports Central. 13 August 2008.
  11. ^ Dodd, Rustin (March 31, 2001). "Rookie pitchers are 'dynamite' in relief". Kansas City Star. Archived from the original on April 4, 2011. Retrieved April 1, 2011.
  12. ^ Kaegel, Dick (May 30, 2011). "Aaron Crow would replace Joakim Soria as the Royals' closer". MLB.com. Retrieved May 30, 2011.
  13. ^ "Blue Jays vs. Royals - Game Recap - June 6, 2011 - ESPN". ESPN.com.
  14. ^ "July 12, 2011 All-Star Game Play-By-Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
  15. ^ "Royals trade reliever Aaron Crow to Marlins for two minor-league pitchers". kansascity.com. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  16. ^ "Brooks Baseball · Home of the PitchFX Tool - Player Card: Aaron Crow". Brooks Baseball. Retrieved 24 August 2012.

External links edit

  • Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet
  • Missouri Player Bio: Aaron Crow
  • Fort Worth Cats Player Bio: Aaron Crow