Oleg Korneev

Oleg Leonidovich Korneev

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 6' 7", Weight 210 lb.

• Born May 10, 1982 in Moscow USSR

BR register page

Biographical Information

Oleg Korneev pitched two years in the minor leagues. His father Leonid Korneev played for the Russian national team.

Korneev was with the Russian national team in 2001, touring against Northern League teams when he was spotted by a Seattle Mariners scout. They signed him and made him their first Russian minor leaguer. He debuted with the AZL Mariners that year and retired all three batters he faced. The tall right-hander was with Russia for the 2001 European Championship and allowed two runs in 6 innings, striking out 7 and notching a crucial save. Against the Italian national team in the semifinals, he threw 2 2/3 scoreless, fanning 3 and allowing 2 hits and a walk to save Rinat Makhmoutov's 2-0 win. It was the first time since the 1960s that Italy failed to reach the finals. In the 2001 Baseball World Cup, he had a 5.73 ERA in three appearances. He led the team with 12 K (5 ahead of Vladimir Petrov), tied Petrov and Artour Donetski for the most games pitched on the team and had the second-best ERA among their qualifiers, .05 behind Petrov.

Korneev split 2002 between the AZL Mariners (1-2, 4.50, .365 opponent average, 12 K in 12 IP) and the Everett AquaSox (0-3, 9.95, .383 opponent average) to wrap up his minor league career. He was with Russia for the 2003 Baseball World Cup, allowing 9 runs in 7 innings with 11 hits, 5 walks and 9 strikeouts. He saved Russia's upset over Taiwan, retiring the only batter he faced. He was left off of Russia's 2003 European Championship roster due to drug allegations.

In the 2005 European Championship, Oleg tied for the lead with a 0.00 ERA. He had one of Russia's two wins in their eight games (Anton Shirokiy had the other), beating Croatia and Slobodan Gales. He also led the team with 11 K, one ahead of Makhmoutov. He played DH when not pitching and hit well (.267/.313/.467).

Sources

• International baseball statistician Harry Weideimeijer
• 2005 European Championshp leaders
• 2002-2003 Baseball Almanacs
• SABR Minors site
• Article on Korneev's signing
• Article mentioning Korneev's 2003 drug allegation
• Defunct IBAF site
• Wayback Archive of the 2005 European Championship site