R.J. Seidel

Richard L. Seidel

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 5", Weight 225 lb.
• High School La Crosse Central High School

• Born September 3, 1987 in LaCrosse, WI USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Pitcher R.J. Seidel was drafted in the 16th round of the 2006 amateur draft by the Milwaukee Brewers as a local boy pick out of a high school in LaCrosse, WI. He pitched in their system from 2007 to 2013, then continued as a professional for a couple more years, hanging up his spikes after the 2015 season.

In his first season as a pro with the Helena Brewers in 2007, he was 4-0, 3.07 in 12 games. He followed that up with a 9-5, 4.51 year with the West Virginia Power of the South Atlantic League in 2008. However, injuries hit in 2009, when he pitched 8 times with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers of the Midwest League, and another 6 times on a rehabilitation assignment to the AZL Brewers. he did not much success at either stop, with a combined ERA of 6.79 to go along with a 1-6 record.

He got back on track in 2010 with the Brevard County Manatees of the Florida State League, going 4-2, 3.70 in 22 games (14 starts), although he only struck out 30 batters, against 27 walks, in 65 2/3 innings. He improved in that department in 2011, when he made it to AA for the first time after starting out in Brevard County, as he made 9 appearances with the Huntsville Stars of the Southern League, in addition to his 23 in the FSL. He was a swingman in both locations, finishing at 4-7, 4.29, pitching 79 2/3 innings and striking ut against 29 walks. He then spent all of 2012 at Huntsville, going 3-2, 3.34 in 39 games. On August 2nd, he was one of a league-record five pitchers to combine on a no-hitter as Huntsville defeated the Chattanooga Lookouts, 3-1. He was the middle man in the quintet, following Jimmy Nelson and Dan Merklinger, and being followed by Darren Byrd and Brandon Kintzler. The five hurlers combined to issue 11 walks, which expains why so many of them were needed. Seidel received credit for the win in relief.

2013 saw R.J. pitch in AAA for the first time, after opening the season in Huntsville, where he relieved in 8 games. With the Nashville Sounds of the Pacific Coast League, he was the starting pitcher in 14 of 18 appearances, going 2-4, 4.64. While he was a useful organizational soldier, he did not look to have much of a chance to pitch in the major leagues, and the Brewers let him go at his request when he told them he did want to return to Huntsville in 2014. He joined the Colorado Rockies instead, but was hit hard in both AA and AAA, respectively with the Tulsa Drillers and Colorado Springs Sky Sox, for a mark of 0-3, 8.73. He was released and finished the season in the independent leagues with the St. Paul Saints of the American Association, but put up a 12.15 RA in 4 games. In 2015, he did a lot better with the Somerset Patriots of the Atlantic League, going 2-6, 3.95 in 34 games, including 14 starts, but it was his final season as a pro.

He later became an assistant coach for Viterbo University.