Don Strange

Donald Strange

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 195 lb.

• Born May 26, 1967

BR minors page

Biographical Information

Don Strange is the older brother of Pat Strange and pitched 8 years in the minor leagues, with an ERA under 2 at several stops. He never got beyond AAA.

Strange was undrafted. He signed with the Atlanta Braves and debuted in 1989 with the Pulaski Braves, going 3-0 with 5 saves and a 2.45 ERA. He walked 6 and struck out 39 in 33 innings. In 1990, the right-hander put on an amazing season with the Sumter Braves. He had a 0.66 ERA, allowing 6 runs (4 earned) in 54 1/3 IP. He gave up just 34 hits and 12 walks while whiffing 53. He was 4-1 with 24 saves, second in the South Atlantic League, 3 behind leader Jeff Braley.

In 1991, Strange pitched for the Durham Bulls (19 Sv, 1.79, 8 BB, 51 K in 40 1/3 IP, the best ERA on a staff loaded with future big-leaguers) and Greenville Braves (1-0, 1 Sv, 13.50 in 4 games). He played for one of the greatest AA teams of the 20th Century, the 1992 Greenville Braves who went 100-43. As the team's closer, he was 5-3 with 18 saves and a 1.95 ERA. He allowed only 43 hits and 19 walks in 60 innings, striking out 58.

Strange led Braves farmhands in 1993 with 61 games pitched. He appeared in 27 for Greenville (1-1, 18 Sv, 3.65) and 34 for the Richmond Braves (1-2, 1 Sv, 3.88). In 1994, Don struggled badly for Richmond, going 2-1 with a 6.64 ERA and allowing 31 hits in 20 1/3 IP. He either was released or traded as he also pitched that year for the Memphis Chicks (Kansas City Royals affiliate) (1.71 ERA, 6 Sv, 11 H in 21 IP) and Nuevo Laredo Owls (3-1, 8 Sv, 1.71).

Strange spent 1995 with the Royals organization, appearing for the Wichita Wranglers (0-1, 8 Sv, 1.50 in 24 games, 7 BB, 36 K in 36 IP) and the Omaha Royals (1 Sv, 7.47, 24 H in 15 2/3 IP). In 1996, he pitched for the Bowie Baysox (a Baltimore Orioles farm club), going 2-1 with 3 saves and a 2.45 ERA in 12 games. He also was on the Saltillo Saraperos (4-5, 12 Sv, 2.91).

Sources: 1991 Baseball Guide, 1990-1997 Baseball Almanacs