Jeff Pico

Summary

Jeffrey Mark Pico (born February 12, 1966) is an American former professional baseball pitcher and current coach. He played in MLB for the Chicago Cubs.

Jeff Pico
Pico with the Detroit Tigers in 2019
Pitcher
Born: (1966-02-12) February 12, 1966 (age 58)
Antioch, California, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
May 31, 1988, for the Chicago Cubs
Last MLB appearance
September 9, 1990, for the Chicago Cubs
MLB statistics
Win–loss record13–12
Earned run average4.24
Strikeouts132
Teams
As player

As coach

Early life edit

Pico was born in Antioch, California, and attended Antioch High School. His teammates included former Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Alex Sanchez[1] and PGA Tour pro Larry Silveira.[2] In his sophomore year Pico posted a 7–3 season with a 1.53 ERA. Named Most Valuable Player during both his junior and senior years, the 6’2", 170-lb. pitcher had a 6–0 record in 1984 when the team won the North Coast championship. He is one of four Antioch players to have his baseball jersey retired.[citation needed]

Playing career edit

He was drafted in the 13th round of the 1984 MLB draft by the Chicago Cubs.[3] With his major league pitching debut on May 31, 1988, against the Cincinnati Reds, Pico threw a four-hit shutout and was the first Cubs pitcher to throw a shutout in his major league debut since Bill Lee on May 7, 1934, against the Philadelphia Phillies.[4] Pico played three seasons and appeared in 113 games from 1988 through 1990; he had a career ERA of 4.24. In his best preseason, 1989, he had an ERA of 3.77 and a 3–1 record. His major league career posted a winning lifetime 13–12 record in 295 career innings.[5]

Coaching career edit

Pico began coaching after he retired as a pitcher, and was the pitching coach for the Chico Heat from 1997 to 2002.[6] In 2003, Pico joined the Arizona Diamondbacks organization and was with the organization until 2013.[7] He was the pitching coach for the South Bend Silver Hawks in 2004, the Lancaster JetHawks in 2006,[8] the Visalia Oaks in 2007 and the Mobile BayBears in 2008 and 2009.[9][10] Pico was pitching coordinator from 2010 to 2011, and the Arizona Diamondbacks' minor-league field coordinator in 2011 and 2012.[11]

In November 2013, Pico was hired as the pitching coach for the Cincinnati Reds to replace Bryan Price who was promoted from pitching coach to manager for the Reds.[12][13] On October 22, 2015, it was announced that the Reds would not renew Pico's contract for the 2016 season.

On December 2, 2015, Pico was named the pitching coach for the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens.[14]

On June 28, 2018, Pico was named the bullpen coach for the Detroit Tigers.[15]

References edit

  1. ^ "Jeff Pico". Antioch Historical Society. Archived from the original on November 1, 2013. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
  2. ^ "LARRY SILVEIRA". Antioch Historical Society. Archived from the original on November 1, 2013. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
  3. ^ "Jeff Pico Stats". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
  4. ^ "Jeff Rico". Antioch Historical Society. Archived from the original on 1 November 2013. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
  5. ^ "FORMER MAJOR LEAGUERS JOIN OAKS COACHING STAFF". RawhideBaseball.com. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
  6. ^ "Former Heat Pitching Coach, Becomes Reds Pitching Coach". Action News Now. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
  7. ^ "Jeff Pico and Don Long Join Team, Cincinnati Reds Staff Coming Together". Reds 101. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
  8. ^ "Mashore and Pico Set to Return to Lancaster". Our Sports Central. 13 December 2005. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
  9. ^ "Pico Gets Promoted, Carlson Back with BayBears". MobileBaybears.com. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
  10. ^ "Jeff Rico". Baseball Reference.com. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
  11. ^ "D-backs announce 2013 Minor League coaching staff". Arizona Diamondbacks. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
  12. ^ "Jeff Pico". news.cincinnati.com. Archived from the original on 17 November 2013. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
  13. ^ "Jeff Pico". Comcast Sportsnet Philly L.P. Archived from the original on 24 November 2013. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
  14. ^ Schmehl, James (December 2, 2015). "Tigers hire Jeff Pico as pitching coach at Toledo; Mike Hessman named minor league hitting coach". MLive. Retrieved December 2, 2015.
  15. ^ "Ex-Tigers pitching coach Bosio says he's 'crushed' by firing". ESPN.com. Associated Press. June 28, 2018. Retrieved November 13, 2019.

External links edit

  • Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs
  • Tigers coaching bio