A's Call Up 2nd Switch Pitcher In Modern Major League Baseball History
OAKLAND (CBS SF) - The Athletics have promoted switch-pitcher Pat Venditte from Triple-A Nashville prior to Friday's game against the Red Sox.
The A's later confirmed the move.
Venditte, 29, has been in the minors for eight years without getting the call. This season, he owns a stellar 1.36 ERA, a 0.97 WHIP and 33:13 K:BB ratio over 33 innings of relief for the Sounds.
Stephen Vogt caught Venditte in spring training after facing him in the minors.
"It's just crazy how he can throw with both hands. It's impressive, it's fun," Vogt said. "His slider's good left-handed. I faced him five years ago, too, in high-A."
Venditte was 3 when he began using both hands. He's a natural right-hander, so the left side needed some time to develop.
"It took many years of work to get to the point I feel comfortable from both sides," Venditte said at camp in Arizona. "I just remember spending a lot of time outside with my dad playing catch, hitting and doing all the baseball things. I don't really remember fighting it too much."
New A's designated hitter Billy Butler stood in against Venditte during spring work.
"He's got every arm angle there is, they say," Butler said. "I've only seen him throw from the left side. I haven't met any ambidextrous guys. I've been playing baseball for a long time now, and it's one of those things that's very unique. I can't do anything left-handed, and I'm really good at doing stuff right-handed. That just shows you the type of talent he has to be able to do both."
A's Manager Bob Melvin played in Boston with ambidextrous pitcher Greg Harris, the only one in the modern era to throw in a major league game with both hands.
The 29-year-old Venditte has done his share of explaining his fancy mitt and talent to do his job with both arms. He would rather show everyone by finally earning his shot to pitch in a big league game.
