This is it, the last 3 big league Aussie dudes for the Defensive Specialist to present to the masses. The poll is up, the vote counters are ready to start tallying. Remember, once Pool D is completed, the defensive Specialist will then pit all 4 pool winners against each other before presenting the Deep in the Hole paper certificate to Australia’s best Major Leaguer.
Once you’ve cast your vote, be sure to tune in on Saturday and Sunday morning (or Monday at work if you want to kill about 3 hours) because the Defensive Specialist will be live and exclusive from regional NSW, presenting all the action out at the Blacktown Olympic Park as South Australia grapple with NSW.
For now though, enjoy the remainder of Pool D:
Luke Prokopec
South Australian Luke Prokopec signed with the LA Dodgers in 1994. He spent 6 years in the minors before being called up for the first time in 2000. He made 3 starts and appeared in 5 games going 1-1 with an ERA of 3.00. In 2001 Prokopec played a much bigger role. He saw action in 29 games, starting 22 and went 8-7 with a 4.88 ERA.
At the end of 2001, he was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays as part of a package for Cesar Izturis and Paul Quantrill. In 2002 he went 2-9 with a 6.78 ERA after starting 12 games and appearing in 22.
Persistent arm injuries derailed his professional career and Prokopec never appeared in the big leagues again.
Rich Thompson
Rich Thompson has enjoyed 3 seasons to date in the Major Leagues. He signed with the Los Angeles Angels in 2002 and made his debut in 2007. As a reliever he appeared in 7 games posting an ERA of 10.80 and striking out 9 in 6.2 innings. Thompson briefly played for the Angels in 2008, got shelled in 2 innings and gave up 5 runs. He made 13 appearances in 2009, working 19.1 innings and punching out 21. His ERA was 5.12.
He is currently on the Angels 40 man roster indicating that he factors into their big league plans in 2010.
Grant Balfour
Cursed with potentially the second most ironic last name ever conceived for a pitcher (Ball Four), the worst being Massivegameendingjack, Balfour has risen to prominence in the big leagues, establishing himself as a valuable bullpen pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays.
He signed with the Minnesota Twins in 1997, and made his major league debut in 2001 as a 23 year old pitching in 2 games over 2.2 innings. He next saw the ‘Show’ in 2003 when he appeared in 17 games and pitched 26 innings. He worked primarily as a reliever but did make his one and only (to date) major league start, posting a 1-0 win loss record and a 4.15 ERA. Balfour went 4-1 in 2004 with a 4.35 ERA across 39.1 relief innings of work while striking out 42.
Injury scuttled Balfour’s 2005 season and he was granted free agency. He signed with Cincinnati and spent the year in their minor leagues. Late in 2006 he was selected off waivers by the Milwaukee Brewers. He appeared in 3 games for the Brew Crew in 2007, getting torched for 6 earned runs in 2 innings and going 0-2 before being traded to the Tampa Bay Rays for Seth McClung. He appeared in another 22 games for the Rays in 2007, posting a win and a 6.14 ERA.
In 2008 Balfour put up solid spring training numbers yet was not added to the active roster, instead he was optioned to the minor leagues. He was recalled early in the season and put together a thoroughly dominant season. Appearing in 51 games, Balfour presented a 1.54 ERA and a record of 6-2. He punched out a phenomenal 82 hitters in 58 innings of work and lodged 4 saves. He played a prominent role in the Tampa bullpen as they made their way to their first World Series appearance. Balfour made highlights when he engaged in an on-field shouting match with Orlando Cabrera over who’s dad was tougher.
2009 was less successful for Balfour although his workload was increased. A 5-4 record with 4 saves and a 4.81 ERA spread over 73 game and 67 innings.
To date, Balfour’s career numbers are 17-9 with a 4.20 ERA and 8 saves.
The Defensive Specialist just flipped the Deep in the Hole super computer keyboard up in the air like Barry Bonds used to toss his bat after a monster homerun. You can do that when you know that it’s a no doubter; that’s how the Defensive Specialist feels about these pools, there’s no doubt the guys have been presented fairly and accurately and it’s now time to vote and make a final decision. Make sure you head to the top of the page and select the guy you think is top dog in Pool D.
The Defensive Specialist must go now in order to start visualizing this weekend’s games, playing the situations out in his head before they happen so that everything else is just a reaction or instinct. If you want to write prime time game reviews, you need to see yourself achieving. Allow the Defensive Specialist to crank up the sounds of whales mating and sign off here so that the mental imagery can begin.
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