Mike Belfiore

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Michael John Belfiore

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Biographical information[edit]

MikeBelfiore.jpg

Pitcher Mike Belfiore was signed by the Arizona Diamondbacks and scout Matt Merullo as a supplemental first round pick in the 2009 amateur draft. Belfiore hit .297/.401/.406 as a college freshman, playing 1B-DH, and leading Boston College with 29 walks. He allowed 25 hits in 10 1/3 innings with a 0-2, 10.45 record on the hill. As a sophomore in 2008, he batted .274/ ~.360/.351 while improving significantly on the hill (2-0, 8 saves, 2.45, 19 strikeouts in 18 1/3 innings). As a junior, the Huntington, NY native hit .273 with 62 RBI in 59 games, the 4th-highest RBI total in school history to that point. On the mound, he was 5-1 with 9 saves and a 2.05 ERA, fanning 59 and walking 12 in 48 1/3 innings. He was the second Boston College player picked in the 2009 amateur draft, after Tony Sanchez, but still the 4th highest selection in school history when he went 45th overall to the Diamondbacks. The choice was compensation for the loss of Brandon Lyon to free agency. Mike signed for a $725,000 bonus.

Belfiore made his pro debut that summer with the Missoula Osprey, going 2-2 with a 2.17 ERA and 55 strikeouts to 13 walks in 14 appearances. Had he qualified, he would have led the Pioneer League in ERA. Baseball America rated him the loop's #12 prospect. He began the 2010 campaign with the South Bend Silver Hawks. In 2012, he was dealt to the Baltimore Orioles as a player to be named later from a previous deal. It was with Baltimore he made his lone big league appearance, September 27, 2013, against the Boston Red Sox. The first batter he faced, "Big Papi" David Ortiz, took him deep for a three-run homer. In 1 1/3 innings, Mike also allowed a home run to Jonny Gomes and was charged with 2 earned runs for a career ERA of 13.50. He finished his career with two seasons in the Detroit Tigers organization (2014 to 2015).

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