Charles Talanoa

Charles Ekalisia Talanoa

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 5", Weight 230 lb.

• School Los Angeles Harbor College
• High School El Segundo High School

• Born December 29, 1980 in Torrance, CA? USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Charles Talanoa pitched three seasons in the minors, once leading his league in Ks.

Talanoa was picked by the Chicago Cubs in the 48th round of the 1999 amateur draft (one round after Dale Thayer) out of high school but did not sign. He pitched for the American Samoa team that finished second to Guam in the 1999 Oceania Championship. He then spent a year in junior college. The Toronto Blue Jays chose him in the 14th round of the 2000 amateur draft, one pick before Vic Buttler.

He had a rocky pro debut with the Medicine Hat Blue Jays in 2001, going 1-8 with a 5.73 ERA and 33 walks in 55 IP. He tied Henry Perez for third in the Pioneer League in losses (one behind future major leaguers Jon Huber and David Pauley), tied Darren Clarke for 8th in walks and tied for third with four balks. The big righty returned to Medicine Hat in 2002 and was sharper (4-3, 4.07, 91 K, 23 BB in 79 2/3 IP). He was second to William Juárez in innings, led in strikeouts (14 ahead of #2 Dustin Nippert) and tied for 4th with 11 wild pitches. He ended his career in 2003 with the Auburn Doubledays (2-2, 4.22) and Charleston Alley Cats (2-5, 3.71). Overall, he had gone 9-18 with a 4.46 ERA in 44 starts in the minors. In 199 2/3 IP, he walked 85 and allowed 210 hits while striking out 183.

Sources

• 1999 Oceania Championship
• Samoa Baseball Central