May 5, 2010: Today's Pitchers

For today's game notes, there wasn't much to update from yesterday, so just head over here.

This post includes the information on Kyle Heckathorn (Wisconsin's reliever in the conclusion of the suspended game); Maverick Lasker (Wisconsin's starter in the regularly scheduled game); and Eric Fornataro (Quad Cities Starter in the regularly scheduled game)

RELIEVER FOR SUSPENDED GAME

RHP KYLE HECKATHORN: Selected by the Brewers as a supplemental 1st round pick (47th overall) in the 2009 draft out of Kennesaw State University.

LAST SEASON: Heckathorn made six appearances (five starts) for Helena in the Pioneer League. He was 0-1 with a 6.04ERA with the Brewers. Heckathorn walked four and struck out 15 in 22-1/3 innings.

LAST APPEARANCE: Heckathorn was the starting pitcher in the first game of a doubleheader at Beloit on May 1. He allowed four runs on four hits over 3-1/3 innings and took the loss. Heckathorn walked three and struck out two against the Snappers.

WISE OWL: In his final season at Kennesaw State, Heckathorn went 4-1 with a 3.44ERA in 13 starts. He struck out 98 and walked 27 in 86-1/3 innings.

ALL-TIME: In three seasons with the Owls, Heckathorn struck out 239 batters. That ranks him fourth on the career strikeout list at Kennesaw State.

NICE WAY TO GO OUT: Heckathorn’s last start for Kennesaw State was against North Florida on May 14, 2009. He pitched nine innings and allowed four runs as he scattered 11 hits. What made the start particularly memorable was that he set a school record for strikeouts in a game as he K’ed 15 North Florida batters. Heckathorn, who walked just one in the game, was not involved in the decision, a 6-5 win for the Owls in 11 innings.

HONORED: Louisville Slugger recognized Heckathorn as one of their National Players of the Week for his performance on May 14 against North Florida.

POST-SEASON REWARD: The Atlantic Sun Conference named Heckathorn to their All-Conference team after the 2009 season.

RANKING: Baseball America lists Heckathorn as the #10 prospect in the Milwaukee Brewers organization.

VS.QUAD CITIES: Heckathorn pitched three shutout innings against the River Bandits at Modern Woodmen Park on April 18. He struck out four without issuing a walk.

PROFESSIONAL BESTS:
INNINGS PITCHED: 6.0 (9/11/09 v. Missoula)
STRIKEOUTS: 4 (2x; Last: 9/11/09 v. Missoula)

GAME TWO STARTER

RHP MAVERICK LASKER: Selected by Milwaukee in the 5th round of the 2008 draft out of Sandra Day O’Connor High School in Phoenix, Arizona.

LAST SEASON: Lasker went 5-1 with a 3.26 ERA in 13 games (one start) for the Arizona League affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. He was a late season addition to the Timber Rattlers roster and Lasker went 1-1 in a pair of Midwest League starts.

LAST START: Lasker took the loss against the Beloit Snappers on May 23 at Time Warner Cable Field. He gave up six runs on six hits over four innings. He hit two batters, walked three, and struck out three.

LAST APPEARANCE: Lasker pitched two innings of scoreless relief at Beloit in the first game of a doubleheader on May 1. Lasker allowed one hit and did not walk or strikeout a batter.

PRO CAREER DELAYED: Lasker did not pitch professionally in 2008. He was placed on the disabled list of the Arizona League affiliate of the Brewers in July and was not activated until September.

WHERE EAGLES DARE: Lasker’s team made it to the Arizona State Baseball Championship Game for Class 4A-I.

SAYING NO TO SAN DIEGO: Lasker turned down a scholarship offer to play college baseball at San Diego State University.

PRO DEBUT: Lasker made his first appearance as a professional as a reliever for the Arizona League Brewers on June 27, 2009 against the Angels. He pitched two innings, allowed two runs on two hits, walked two and struck out one in his relief appearance.

MAULING THE COUGARS: Lasker made his Midwest League debut on August 31 at Kane County. He pitched seven scoreless innings and picked up the win. Lasker allowed four hits, walked two, and struck out three.

RANKING: Baseball America lists Lasker as the #30 prospect in the Milwaukee Brewers organization.

VS. QUAD CITIES: Lasker made the start against the River Bandits on April 18 at Modern Woodmen Park. He allowed four runs (three earned) on seven hits over five innings. He hit a batter and struck out three.

PROFESSIONAL BESTS:
INNINGS PITCHED: 7.0 (2x; Last: 8/31 @Kane County)
STRIKEOUTS: 10 (8/11 @AZL Athletics)

QUAD CITIES STARTING PITCHER (GAME TWO): RHP Eric Fornataro was selected in the sixth round of the 2008 draft out of Miami Dade Community College. He was 6-8 with a save and 3.03ERA in 26 career games (15 starts) in the Cardinals organization coming into this season. Fornataro went 0-5 with the River Bandits in seven games (six starts) at the end of the 2009 season. In his start prior to today, Fornataro pitched six shutout innings against Burlington on April 30. He gave up two hits and struck out four, but was not involved in the decision. On April 19 at Modern Woodmen Park, Wisconsin beat Fornataro by scoring five runs (four earned) on 10 hits over five innings.