Brandon Kolb

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Brandon Charles Kolb

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Biographical Information[edit]

Brandon Kolb was originally drafted by the Oakland Athletics 1077th overall in the 1993 amateur draft. Deciding not to sign, he had to wait until 1995 to be drafted again, when he was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the fourth round. This time, he chose to sign.

Originally a starter in the minors, his best record was 16-9, which he achieved in 1996 with the Clinton Lumber Kings. Although he showed promise as a starter in the minor leagues, he was being used mostly as a reliever by 1998. He spent 1998 and 1999 entirely as a reliever.

He made his major league debut on May 12, 2000 against the Arizona Diamondbacks at the age of 26. Although he struck out one batter in the single inning he pitched that game, he also gave up two hits and an earned run. He improved down the stretch, lowering his season ERA to 4.50. Although he gave up 16 hits in 14 innings that year, surprisingly not one of them was a home run. He walked 11 and struck out 12.

During the following offseason, Kolb was sent to the Milwaukee Brewers with a player to be named later for Santiago Perez and a player to be named later. The players to be named would end up being Will Cunnane for the Padres and minor leaguer Chad Green of the Brewers.

His career took a major turn for the worst while with the Brewers in 2001. He did not give up a single earned run until his fifth appearance of the year, but he still posted a season ERA of 13.03. He gave up 6 home runs in 9+ innings of work, including three in one inning - on June 20th against the Cincinnati Reds, Kolb gave up home runs to Sean Casey, Michael Tucker and Pokey Reese. Since he had given up two home runs the game before, Kolb ended up allowing five home runs over a two-game span - he pitched a total of only 1 2/3 innings in that time.

His season - and career - ended on a sour note on September 19th of that year. In his final career appearance, Kolb allowed two earned runs. He did strike out the final batter he faced in his career, though. It was pitcher Steve Kline.

After his big league career ended, Kolb spent time bouncing around the minors until 2004, even spending time in independent baseball.

Overall in his Major League career, Kolb went 0 and 1 with a 7.99 ERA in 21 games. In 23+ innings of work, Kolb walked 19 and struck out 20. He went 0-for-2 as a batter, although he did score a run. His fielding percentage was a poor .667.

He spent six seasons with Domingo Guzman - longer than any other teammate. He wore numbers 47 and 38 in his career.

At last check, he lived in Danville, CA.

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