Tim Pyznarski

Timothy Matthew Pyznarski

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 2", Weight 195 lb.
• School Eastern Illinois University
• High School: Marist (Chicago) High School
• Debut September 14, 1986
• Final Game October 5, 1986
• Born February 4, 1960 in Chicago, IL USA

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Biographical Information

First baseman Tim Pyznarski was drafted in the 1st round (#15 overall) of the 1981 amateur draft by the Oakland A's out of Eastern Illinois University, where he head been a teammate of Kevin Seitzer. The 21 year-old was sent to high-A ball and the Modesto A's to begin his career. In 53 games he hit .225/~.386/.344 showing good plate discipline with 42 BB in 160 AB. Pyznarski moved up to AA in 1982, and while his BA and power improved, his batting eye took a step back. For the West Haven A's, he hit .262/~.362/.422 with 18 2B and 7 HR in 294 AB. He stayed in AA in 1983, this time with the Albany-Colonie A's, and showed good power, missing the HR crown by 3. On the year he hit .279/~.380/.536 with 28 HR, 20 SB, but only 15 2B in 416 AB. In 1984, Pyznarski played only 31 games for the Tacoma Tigers in his first season in AAA. In 96 AB he had 5 2B, 4 HR, and 15 RBI. In April of 1985, the A's traded him to the San Diego Padres for 1B Jody Lansford.

Moving to the Las Vegas Stars in 1985, Pyznarski hit .284/~.353/.426 in his first real crack at AAA. In 359 AB he had 22 2B, 7 HR, and 13 SB. 1986 was Pyznarski's year. He hit .326/~.424/.574 for the Stars, who won the Pacific Coast League title. Pyznarski led the league with 278 TB (tied with Larry See), and 119 RBI. He hit 35 2B, 8 3B, 23 HR, and had 25 SB and 82 BB. Pyznarski was named the 1986 Minor League Player of the Year by The Sporting News and was also named Pacific Coast League MVP. Pyznarski got a September call-up, and made his major league debut on September 14th, at the age of 26. His 42 at-bats would prove to be his only ones in the majors. In October, Pyznarski became the "player to be named later" in the June 12th deal that had sent Randy Ready from the Milwaukee Brewers to San Diego.

Moving to the Denver Zephyrs in 1987, Pyznarski got only 141 AB, but he hit .284/~.402/.532 with 9 2B, 6 HR, and 28 BB. In 1988, playing 1B and DH, Pyznarski hit .291/~.371/.459 in 381 AB for the Zephyrs, with 26 2B, 10 HR, and 48 BB. In August, he was traded to the Baltimore Orioles for Kevin Price and Dave Smith. With the Rochester Red Wings he hit only .125/~.263/.313 in only 32 AB.

Notable Achievements

• 1986 The Sporting News Minor League Player of the Year, Las Vegas Stars, Pacific Coast League
• 1986 MVP Pacific Coast League, Las Vegas Stars