Mark Worrell
Mark Robert Worrell
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 1", Weight 215 lb.
- Schools Indian River Community College, University of Arizona, Florida International University
- High School John Leonard High School
- Debut June 3, 2008
- Final Game July 24, 2011
- Born March 8, 1983 in Palm Beach Gardens, FL USA
Biographical Information[edit]
Mark Worrell pitched in the majors in 2008 and 2011. He uses a sidearm motion.
Amateur Ranks[edit]
Worrell was on the US junior national team in 2001, throwing six scoreless innings in the Junior Pan American Games. He struck out 13, walked three, allowed no hits and saved one game. The Tampa Bay Devil Rays took him in the 11th round of the 2001 amateur draft but he opted for college instead. He fanned 77 in 77 innings in junior college in 2002. He transferred to Arizona, where he struggled, going 2-4 with a 6.75 ERA and 1.74 WHIP. Moving to Florida International University for 2004, the junior was 2-9 with a 4.25 ERA but struck out 107 in 84 2/3 innings. The St. Louis Cardinals chose him in the 12th round of the 2004 amateur draft. He was signed by scout Steve Turco and made his pro debut that summer.
Minor Leagues[edit]
Worrell split his first pro campaign between the Johnson City Cardinals (1-0, 6 Sv, 35 K, 12 H in 22 1/3 IP) and the Peoria Chiefs (0-2, 6 Sv, 4.30, 20 K, 9 H in 14 2/3 IP). He led Cardinals farmhands in strikeouts per 9 innings (13.4). In 2005, Mark was excellent for the Palm Beach Cardinals, going 2-3 with 35 saves and a 2.25 ERA. He was the Minor League Baseball Rolaids Relief Man of the Year and Cardinals Minor League Pitcher of the Year, leading all the minors in saves. He was one shy of the record for a Cardinals farmhand and three shy of the Florida State League record. He was the winning pitcher in game five of the FSL finals. He was named to the FSL All-Star team as one of two relief pitchers.
Mark went to the Mazatlan Deer for winter ball and had a 0.77 ERA in 13 appearances in the Mexican Pacific League in 2005-2006. In 2006, Worrell did okay for the Springfield Cardinals, going 3-7 with 27 saves and a 4.52 ERA and striking out 75 in 61 2/3 innings. Mark led the Texas League in games saved.
Worrell made it to AAA in 2007 with the Memphis Redbirds and was 3-2 with 4 saves and a 3.09 ERA in 50 outings. He struck out 66 in 67 innings. He walked 5 in 5 1/3 innings for the 2007-2008 Tigres del Licey and posted a 5.07 ERA. He was not with Licey for the 2008 Caribbean Series, which they won.
Big league debut[edit]
Worrell began 2008 back in the Memphis bullpen. After 21 games, he was 1-1 with a 1.88 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 24 innings. He was then called up to the majors to take the place of Kelvin Jimenez. Mark's MLB debut came with a 6-1 lead against the Washington Nationals, relieving Ron Villone to open the bottom of the 9th. He allowed a single to Lastings Milledge and got Dmitri Young to hit into a double play. He walked Aaron Boone but got Jesus Flores to fly out to end the frame. On June 5th, he went to bat for the first time in the majors, against the Nationals' Tim Redding in the second game of a doubleheader, and hit a home run. As surprised as anyone with this outcome, he told journalists after the game that he could not remember the last time he had hit a home run, but that it probably dated back to his high school days.
Post-Playing Career[edit]
Worrell was assistant pitching coach of the GCL Blue Jays in 2018. He moved to pitching coach of the same club in 2019.
Sources[edit]
- 2008 Cardinals Media Guide
- MILB.com
- Licey Tigers website
- 2002-2008 Baseball Almanacs
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