Stephen Locke

From BR Bullpen

Stephen Locke

BR Minors page

Biographical Information[edit]

Stephen Locke pitched for three seasons in the minor leagues.

Locke was 6-1 with a 2.03 ERA as a high school sophomore, 8-1 with a 1.15 ERA as a junior and 8-1 with a 0.81 ERA as a senior. As a college freshman in 2005, he had a 5-2, 4.04 record with only 14 walks in 64 2/3 IP. He got a start in the 2005 College World Series finals but lost to the University of Texas after allowing four earned runs in four innings. He missed 2006 due to Tommy John surgery. Returning a redshirt sophomore in '07, he fell to 3-3, 6.95 with 55 hits in 33 2/3 IP. Stephen was sharper at 5-2, 3.17 in 2008. As a senior in 2009, he went 5-2 with a 4.32 ERA and only 18 walks in 66 2/3 IP. He was suspended for 23 games after being arrested for driving under the influence. The charges were later dropped after video from the officers' car did not corroborate their claims. In 2012, Locke sued Gainesville, FL and the two police officers, saying the incident hindered his draft status and thus his professional career.

Stephen was picked by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the 22nd round of the 2009 amateur draft; Tom Kotchman was the scout. He was 6-4 with a 4.02 ERA for the 2009 Orem Owlz, walking only 11 in 69 1/3 innings. He was among the Pioneer League leaders in wins (tied for second with Matt Magill, Nelson Curry and Nick Bucci, one behind Charles Brewer) and ERA (3rd behind Matt Wickswat and Magill). For the 2010 Cedar Rapids Kernels, he went 8-7 with a 4.37 ERA. He tossed a rain-shortened five-inning no-hitter against the Peoria Chiefs on July 12, walking one. Despite that stellar outing, opponents hit .294 against him for the season. He struggled with the Inland Empire 66ers in 2011 (15 H, 8 BB, 14 R, 9 ER in 7 2/3 IP) to end his career. He had gone 14-12 with a 4.49 ERA in 36 games (34 starts) as a pro. In 194 1/3 innings, he allowed 221 hits and 50 walks while whiffing 124.

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