University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Photo by: Pete Madia/Pitt Athletics
Ray Black Promoted to San Francisco Giants
7/8/2018 1:48:00 PM | Baseball
Former Pitt Pitcher Becomes Second Current Panther on MLB Roster
SAN FRANCISCO – Former University of Pittsburgh pitcher Ray Black became the second Panther alum to currently occupy an MLB roster spot, as the 2011 draftee was called up to the San Francisco Giants Sunday afternoon.
Black was taken in the seventh round of the 2011 MLB First Year Player Draft, but due to injuries struggled to see consistent action until the 2014 season. Once healthy, he climbed his way through the Giants' system, beginning the 2018 campaign with the AA Richmond Flying Squirrels. In 10 appearances with Richmond, he amassed a 0.90 ERA, striking out 20 in 10.0 innings, accumulating four saves and holding opponents to just a .118 average.
On May 10, the Giants promoted the former Pitt closer to the AAA Sacramento River Cats, where he's continued to impress. Black threw 21.2 frames with the River Cats, boasting a 2.91 ERA with 38 strikeouts, a 0.78 WHIP and a .133 opponent average.
Black joins fellow 2011 draft selection Kevan Smith in the MLB ranks, as the former two-sport athlete has earned significant time at catcher for the Chicago White Sox. Smith is the most recent Panther to make an MLB debut, lacing up with the White Sox for the first time on Sept. 1, 2016.
The Giants take on the St. Louis Cardinals Sunday at 4:05 p.m. ET before opening a three-game homestand with the Chicago Cubs on Monday.
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OFFICIAL:#SFGiants have traded Cory Gearrin, Austin Jackson & minor league RHP Jason Bahr to the Texas Rangers in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations. Ray Black & Steven Duggar contracts purchased.
— San Francisco Giants (@SFGiants) July 8, 2018
Black was taken in the seventh round of the 2011 MLB First Year Player Draft, but due to injuries struggled to see consistent action until the 2014 season. Once healthy, he climbed his way through the Giants' system, beginning the 2018 campaign with the AA Richmond Flying Squirrels. In 10 appearances with Richmond, he amassed a 0.90 ERA, striking out 20 in 10.0 innings, accumulating four saves and holding opponents to just a .118 average.
On May 10, the Giants promoted the former Pitt closer to the AAA Sacramento River Cats, where he's continued to impress. Black threw 21.2 frames with the River Cats, boasting a 2.91 ERA with 38 strikeouts, a 0.78 WHIP and a .133 opponent average.
Black joins fellow 2011 draft selection Kevan Smith in the MLB ranks, as the former two-sport athlete has earned significant time at catcher for the Chicago White Sox. Smith is the most recent Panther to make an MLB debut, lacing up with the White Sox for the first time on Sept. 1, 2016.
The Giants take on the St. Louis Cardinals Sunday at 4:05 p.m. ET before opening a three-game homestand with the Chicago Cubs on Monday.
#H2P | Twitter | Instagram
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