Eric Michael Surkamp (born July 16, 1987) is an American former
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization and the oldest major professional sports league in the world. MLB is composed of 30 total teams, divided equally between the National League (NL) and the American League (AL) ...
(MLB)
pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throws ("pitches") the Baseball (ball), baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of out (baseball), retiring a batter (baseball), batter, who attempts to e ...
who played for the
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are an American professional baseball team based in San Francisco, California. The Giants compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Founded in 1883 as the New Y ...
,
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The White Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. The team is owned by Jerry Reinsdorf, and ...
,
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are an American professional baseball team based in Los Angeles. The Dodgers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Established in 1883 in the city of Brookly ...
, and
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics (often referred to as the A's) are an American professional baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. The t ...
from 2011 to 2016. He also pitched for the
Hanwha Eagles
The Hanwha Eagles ( ko, 한화 이글스) are a South Korean professional baseball team based in Daejeon. They are a member of the KBO League. The Eagles' home ballpark is Daejeon Hanbat Baseball Stadium. The Eagles have won the Korean Series onc ...
of the
KBO League
The KBO League (), officially the Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League, is the highest level league of baseball in South Korea. The KBO League was founded with six franchises in 1982 and is the most popular sports league in South Korea. The Kia Tigers are ...
in 2016. Surkamp batted and threw left-handed with his fastball averaging .
Growing up, Surkamp helped
Moeller High School become Ohio state baseball champions in 2004. He played
college baseball
College baseball is baseball that is played on the intercollegiate level at institutions of higher education. In comparison to football and basketball, college competition in the United States plays a smaller role in developing professional pl ...
at
North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University (NC State) is a public land-grant research university in Raleigh, North Carolina. Founded in 1887 and part of the University of North Carolina system, it is the largest university in the Carolinas. The universi ...
(NC State) and was a member of
Team USA
The United States national team or Team USA may refer to any of a number of sports team representing the United States in international competitions.
Olympic teams
Additionally, these teams may compete in other international competitions such as ...
in 2007. Drafted by the Giants in the sixth round in the
2008 MLB Draft
The 2008 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft continued Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft of high school and college baseball players, and was held on June 5 and 6, 2008.
First round selections
;Key
Supplemental first rou ...
, he was called up in August 2011 after posting a 2.02
earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average (ERA) is the average of earned runs allowed by a pitcher per nine innings pitched (i.e. the traditional length of a game). It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the numb ...
(ERA), which led the
Eastern League. He had a 2–2
record
A record, recording or records may refer to:
An item or collection of data Computing
* Record (computer science), a data structure
** Record, or row (database), a set of fields in a database related to one entity
** Boot sector or boot record, ...
with the Giants and was considered a fringe candidate for the team's
Opening Day
Opening Day is the day on which professional baseball leagues begin their regular season. For Major League Baseball (MLB) and most of the American minor leagues, this day typically falls during the first week of April, although in recent years ...
roster in 2012, though he wound up missing that season due to
Tommy John surgery
Ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, colloquially known as Tommy John surgery (TJS), is a surgical graft procedure where the ulnar collateral ligament in the medial elbow is replaced with either a tendon from elsewhere in the patient's ...
. He made only one start for the Giants in 2013, allowing seven runs in innings. in a 9–3 loss to the
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are an American professional baseball team based in Cincinnati. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) National League Central, Central division and were a charter member of ...
.
Following the year, Surkamp was claimed off waivers by the White Sox. Used exclusively as a
relief pitcher
In baseball and softball, a relief pitcher or reliever is a pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed because of fatigue, ineffectiveness, injury, or ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as inclement weather d ...
by them in 2014, he appeared in 35 games, posting a 4.81 ERA. He failed to make their roster in 2015 and was traded to the Dodgers in May, making one appearance with the team in July. A
free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player who is eligible to sign with other clubs or franchises; i.e., not under contract to any specific team. The term is also used in reference to a player who is under contract at present but who is a ...
after that year, he signed a minor league contract with the Athletics for 2016. Called up four times in 2016, he made nine starts for Oakland but posted an 0–5 record. In the latter part of the season, he pitched for Hanwha in the KBO League, initially as a starting pitcher, though he was moved to the bullpen after posting an 0–3 record in a little over a month. Following his professional career, he earned a
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science (BS, BSc, SB, or ScB; from the Latin ') is a bachelor's degree awarded for programs that generally last three to five years.
The first university to admit a student to the degree of Bachelor of Science was the University o ...
in Business from NC State and became a Cincinnati-area realtor for Comey & Shepherd.
Early life and amateur career
Eric Michael Surkamp was born July 16, 1987, in
Cincinnati
Cincinnati ( ) is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located at the northern side of the confluence of the Licking and Ohio rivers, the latter of which marks the state lin ...
,
Ohio
Ohio () is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. Of the List of states and territories of the United States, fifty U.S. states, it is the List of U.S. states and territories by area, 34th-l ...
.
Growing up, he always enjoyed watching left-handed
pitchers, particularly
Andy Pettitte
Andrew Eugene Pettitte (; born June 15, 1972) is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played 18 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB), primarily for the New York Yankees. He also pitched for the Houston Astros. Pettitte won fiv ...
.
[ At Moeller High School, he was the number two pitcher in the baseball team's starting rotation, behind Andrew Brackman. As a junior in 2004, he posted an 0.44 ]earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average (ERA) is the average of earned runs allowed by a pitcher per nine innings pitched (i.e. the traditional length of a game). It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the numb ...
(ERA) and won all eight of his decisions, striking out 81 batters while giving up only 26 hits
Hits or H.I.T.S. may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Music
* '' H.I.T.S.'', 1991 album by New Kids on the Block
* ''...Hits'' (Phil Collins album), 1998
* ''Hits'' (compilation series), 1984–2006; 2014 - a British compilation album s ...
in 48 innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched (IP) are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher is on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning ...
. Brackman and he went a combined 15–0, helping their school win its fourth state championship, with Surkamp getting the start in the championship game.
After graduating Moeller in 2005, Surkamp attended North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University (NC State) is a public land-grant research university in Raleigh, North Carolina. Founded in 1887 and part of the University of North Carolina system, it is the largest university in the Carolinas. The universi ...
(NC State), where he played college baseball
College baseball is baseball that is played on the intercollegiate level at institutions of higher education. In comparison to football and basketball, college competition in the United States plays a smaller role in developing professional pl ...
for the Wolfpack and was again a teammate of Brackman. In 18 games
A game is a structured form of play, usually undertaken for entertainment or fun, and sometimes used as an educational tool. Many games are also considered to be work (such as professional players of spectator sports or games) or art (su ...
(12 starts) as a freshman in 2006, he posted a 2–3 record
A record, recording or records may refer to:
An item or collection of data Computing
* Record (computer science), a data structure
** Record, or row (database), a set of fields in a database related to one entity
** Boot sector or boot record, ...
, a 5.10 ERA, 48 strikeouts, and 32 walks in 60 innings pitched. Following the college season, he played collegiate summer baseball
Collegiate summer baseball leagues are amateur baseball leagues in the United States and Canada featuring players who have attended at least one year of college and have at least one year of athletic eligibility remaining. Generally, they operate ...
with the Orleans Cardinals
The Orleans Firebirds, formerly the Orleans Cardinals, are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Orleans, Massachusetts. The team is a member of the Cape Cod Baseball League (CCBL) and plays in the league's East Division. The Firebirds play t ...
of the Cape Cod Baseball League
The Cape Cod Baseball League (CCBL or Cape League) is a collegiate summer baseball wooden bat league located on Cape Cod in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. One of the nation's premier collegiate summer leagues, the league boasts over one thous ...
. In 13 games (five starts), he had a 3–2 record, a 2.37 ERA, 38 strikeouts, 23 walks, and 23 hits allowed in 38 innings.
As a sophomore in 2007, Surkamp was selected to the second All- Atlantic Coast Conference team.[ In 16 starts, he had a 4–5 record, a 3.47 ERA, 84 strikeouts, 27 walks, and 92 hits allowed in 96 innings pitched.][ He tried out for ]Team USA
The United States national team or Team USA may refer to any of a number of sports team representing the United States in international competitions.
Olympic teams
Additionally, these teams may compete in other international competitions such as ...
in 2007; after initially not getting selected, he pitched for Orleans again. In five games (four starts), he had a 2–0 record, a 1.85 ERA, 26 strikeouts, eight walks, and 20 hits allowed in innings.[ He was then added to Team USA's roster in late July due to an injury, and he made two appearances in the World Port Tournament in ]Rotterdam
Rotterdam ( , , , lit. ''The Dam on the River Rotte'') is the second largest city and municipality in the Netherlands. It is in the province of South Holland, part of the North Sea mouth of the Rhine–Meuse–Scheldt delta, via the ''"N ...
. Again making 16 starts for the Wolfpack in his senior year, he had a 5–3 record, a 4.89 ERA, 86 strikeouts, 40 walks, and 76 hits allowed in innings pitched.[ He was selected by the ]San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are an American professional baseball team based in San Francisco, California. The Giants compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Founded in 1883 as the New Y ...
in the sixth round of the 2008 Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft.
Professional career
San Francisco Giants
Upon signing with the Giants' organization in 2008, Surkamp was briefly assigned to the rookie
A rookie is a person new to an occupation, profession, or hobby. In sports, a ''rookie'' is a professional athlete in their first season (or year).
In contrast with a veteran who has experience and expertise, a rookie is usually inexperienced ...
-level Arizona League Giants
Arizona ( ; nv, Hoozdo Hahoodzo ; ood, Alĭ ṣonak ) is a state in the Southwestern United States. It is the 6th largest and the 14th most populous of the 50 states. Its capital and largest city is Phoenix. Arizona is part of the Four ...
. He appeared in just two games for them before getting promoted to the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes
The Salem-Keizer Volcanoes are a baseball team located in Keizer, Oregon, who are charter members of the Mavericks Independent Baseball League, a four-team league entirely based in the Salem Metropolitan Statistical Area and playing all their h ...
of the Single-A
Class A, also known as Single-A and sometimes as Low-A, is the fourth-highest level of play in Minor League Baseball in the United States, below Triple-A, Double-A, and High-A. There are 30 teams classified at the Single-A level, one for eac ...
short season Northwest League
The Northwest League is a Minor League Baseball league that operates in the Northwestern United States and Western Canada. A Class A Short Season league for most of its history, the league was promoted to High-A as part of Major League Basebal ...
. In five games (four starts), he had an 0–2 record, a 6.43 ERA, 16 strikeouts, five walks, and 20 hits allowed in 14 innings pitched.
For the 2009 season, Surkamp joined the Single-A Augusta Greenjackets
The Augusta GreenJackets are a Minor League Baseball team of the Carolina League and the Single-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. They play their home games at SRP Park in North Augusta, South Carolina, which opened in April 2018. They previo ...
of the South Atlantic League
The South Atlantic League, often informally called the Sally League, is a Minor League Baseball league with teams predominantly in states along the Atlantic coast of the United States from New York to Georgia. A Class A league for most of its ...
. In 23 starts, he had an 11–5 record and a 3.30 ERA in 130 innings pitched. His 11 wins tied with Johnny Dorn for second in the league behind Charles Leesman's 13, and his 169 strikeouts were second to Matt Moore's 176. Promoted to the Single-A Advanced San Jose Giants
The San Jose Giants are a Minor League Baseball team of the California League and the Single-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. Located in San Jose, California, the Giants play their home games at Excite Ballpark.
Games
San Jose Giants g ...
of the California League at the end of the year, Surkamp made two playoff starts for the team. On September 19, 2009, he started the third game of the California League Championship Series against the High Desert Mavericks
The High Desert Mavericks were an American Minor League Baseball team in Adelanto, California, that played their home games at Heritage Field at Stater Bros. Stadium. They played in the Class A-Advanced California League. The franchise had eigh ...
. Surkamp allowed three runs in the first two innings but settled down after that, striking out 12 batters over eight innings and earning the victory in San Jose's 4–3 win which clinched the league championship. Interviewed about the game at the beginning of the 2010 season, Surkamp said, "I think I just got comfortable in the game and was able to get into a groove. The adrenaline was pumping with it being a championship game. It was fun."[
In 2010, Surkamp remained with San Jose. He made 17 starts for the Giants, posting a 4–2 record, a 3.11 ERA, 108 strikeouts, 22 walks, and 79 hits allowed in innings.][ Surkamp's season ended in the middle of July when he suffered a dislocated hip while trying to field a ]ground ball
In the sports of baseball and softball, a batted ball is a pitch that has been contacted by the batter's bat. Batted balls are either fair or foul, and can be characterized as a fly ball, pop-up, line drive, or ground ball. In baseball, a fo ...
. He underwent surgery on the hip, performed by Dr. Marc Philippon, who had also conducted hip surgery on Alex Rodriguez
Alexander Emmanuel Rodriguez (born July 27, 1975), nicknamed "A-Rod", is an American former professional baseball shortstop and third baseman, businessman and philanthropist. Rodriguez played 22 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the ...
the previous season.
Recovered from the surgery by the beginning of the 2011 season, Surkamp was assigned to the Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels
The Richmond Flying Squirrels are a Minor League Baseball team based in Richmond, Virginia. The team, which is a part of the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants major league club, and plays at The Diamond. Th ...
of the Eastern League.[ He opened the season as the Giants' eighth-best prospect, according to '']Baseball America
''Baseball America'' is a sports enterprise that covers baseball at every level, including MLB, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in the MiLB, college, high school, and international leagues. It is currently published in the form ...
''. In 23 games (22 starts), he had a 10–4 record, a 2.02 ERA, 165 strikeouts, 44 walks, and 110 hits allowed in innings. He led the league in ERA and walks plus hits per innings pitched
In baseball statistics, walks plus hits per inning pitched (WHIP) is a sabermetric measurement of the number of baserunners a pitcher has allowed per inning pitched. WHIP is calculated by adding the number of walks and hits allowed and div ...
(1.08), tied for fifth with seven other pitchers in wins, and trailed only Austin Hyatt (171) in strikeouts. After Jonathan Sánchez suffered an ankle injury, Surkamp was called up to the majors for the first time on August 27, 2011. He allowed one run in six innings in his debut that day against the Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are an American professional baseball team based in Houston, Texas. The Astros compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division, having moved to the division in 2013 after ...
. After the game, he was briefly optioned to San Jose, with the Giants planning to recall him after one start once the rosters expanded in September. In his second major league start, on September 6, he picked up his first major league win, giving up three runs in five innings in a 6–4 victory over the San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are an American professional baseball team based in San Diego. The Padres compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Founded in 1969, the club has won two NL penna ...
. Facing the Padres in his next start six days later, he allowed three runs (two earned) in innings, earning the victory in an 8–3 win. However, after failing to complete five innings against the Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are an American professional baseball team based in Denver. The Rockies compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. The team plays its home baseball games at Coors Fi ...
on September 17, he struggled in his last two starts of the season, losing both of them. In six starts, he had a 2-2 record, a 5.74 ERA, 13 strikeouts, 17 walks, and 32 hits allowed in innings.
A fringe candidate for the Giants' rotation in 2012, Surkamp had a 3–1 record and a 4.41 ERA in spring training. He began 2012 on the disabled list
In Major League Baseball (MLB), the injured list (IL) is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players. Before the 2019 season, it was known as the disabled list (DL).
General guidelines
...
with a strained elbow. He attempted to rehab at the Giants' minor league facility in Arizona, but his arm failed to regain the necessary strength. On July 24, Surkamp underwent Tommy John surgery
Ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, colloquially known as Tommy John surgery (TJS), is a surgical graft procedure where the ulnar collateral ligament in the medial elbow is replaced with either a tendon from elsewhere in the patient's ...
, which prevented him from pitching for the rest of the season.
Surkamp began the 2013 season on the disabled list, as he was still recovering from the Tommy John surgery. He began his comeback in June with San Jose, posting a 2.93 ERA in five starts.[ Then, he made 11 starts for the Triple-A ]Fresno Grizzlies
The Fresno Grizzlies are a Minor League Baseball team of the California League and the Single-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies. They are located in Fresno, California, and play their home games at Chukchansi Park, which was opened in 2002 in ...
of the Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League (PCL) is a Minor League Baseball league that operates in the Western United States. Along with the International League, it is one of two leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one grade below Major League Bas ...
. Giants reporter Chris Haft described his performance as "promising", as he posted a 7–1 record with a 2.78 ERA and held opponents to a .221 batting average.[ In the midst of his time with Fresno, he was called up to start the first game of a doubleheader for San Francisco on July 23. He pitched just 2 innings against the ]Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are an American professional baseball team based in Cincinnati. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) National League Central, Central division and were a charter member of ...
, giving up seven runs in a 9–3 loss.[ Sent back to Fresno the next day, he was not recalled by the Giants when rosters expanded in September.] Surkamp was designated for assignment
Designated for assignment (DFA) is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball (MLB). A player who is designated for assignment is immediately removed from the team's 40-man roster, after which the team must within seven days, return the play ...
by the Giants on December 19 in order for the team to make room on the 40-man roster for free-agent signees.
Chicago White Sox
Surkamp was claimed off waivers by the Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The White Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. The team is owned by Jerry Reinsdorf, and ...
on December 23, 2013. He was optioned to the Charlotte Knights
The Charlotte Knights are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. They are located in Charlotte, North Carolina, and play their home games at Truist Field, which opened in 20 ...
of the Triple-A International League
The International League (IL) is a Minor League Baseball league that operates in the United States. Along with the Pacific Coast League, it is one of two leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one grade below Major League Baseball ( ...
on March 19, before the season. On June 26, he was recalled when Scott Downs was designated for assignment. With Chicago, he was used exclusively as a relief pitcher
In baseball and softball, a relief pitcher or reliever is a pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed because of fatigue, ineffectiveness, injury, or ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as inclement weather d ...
. On August 9, he entered a game against the Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are an American professional baseball team based in Seattle. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. The team joined the American League as an expansion team ...
with one out in the ninth inning, got Kyle Seager
Kyle Duerr Seager (born November 3, 1987) is an American former professional baseball third baseman who played his entire career for the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball (MLB) from 2011 to 2021. He was selected by the Mariners in the ...
to hit into a double play
In baseball and softball, a double play (denoted as DP in baseball statistics) is the act of making two outs during the same continuous play. Double plays can occur any time there is at least one baserunner and fewer than two outs.
In Major Leag ...
, and earned the win when Chicago scored in the tenth and held on for a 2–1 victory. Optioned to Charlotte the next day, he was recalled on August 16 when Charles Leesman was designated for assignment. After pitching in just three games, he was again optioned to Charlotte on August 22 when Javy Guerra was reinstated from the bereavement list, but Surkamp was recalled for the remainder of the season on September 2. Prior to September, Surkamp had posted a 6.91 ERA in 23 major league games, but he posted a 1.80 ERA in 11 September appearances. In 35 games, he had a 2–0 record, a 4.81 ERA, 20 strikeouts, 13 walks, and 22 hits allowed in innings pitched. With Charlotte, he had a 4–5 record, a 4.69 ERA, 86 strikeouts, 20 walks, and 95 hits allowed in innings over 18 games (11 starts).
In 2015, Surkamp contended for most of the spring to make the White Sox roster, but he was placed on the disabled list at the beginning of the season. Optioned to Charlotte while still on the disabled list, he was designated for assignment on April 26 so the White Sox could purchase Scott Carroll's contract. Outrighted to Charlotte, he made 11 appearances (one start) for the team in 2015, posting a 3–0 record, a 2.81 ERA, 30 strikeouts, nine walks, and 19 hits allowed in innings.
Los Angeles Dodgers
On May 22, 2015, Surkamp was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are an American professional baseball team based in Los Angeles. The Dodgers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Established in 1883 in the city of Brookly ...
in exchange for Blake Smith. He was assigned to the Pacific Coast League's Oklahoma City Dodgers
The Oklahoma City Dodgers are a Minor League Baseball team of the Pacific Coast League (PCL) and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers. They are located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and play their hom ...
. On July 6, Surkamp had his contract purchased by the Dodgers; reporter Jon Weisman speculated that the team planned to have him pitch long relief behind Yimi García
Yimi García (; born August 18, 1990) is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played in MLB for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Miami Marlins and Houston Astros. He signed with ...
, a relief pitcher making his first start that night in place of an injured Carlos Frías. After García threw the first two innings of that night's game against the Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are an American professional baseball team based in Philadelphia. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) East division. Since 2004, the team's home stadium has been Citize ...
, Surkamp pitched 3 innings in relief, allowing four earned runs, though Los Angeles ultimately won 10–7. That was his lone appearance before he was designated for assignment on July 8. Returning to Triple-A, he spend the rest of the year in the Pacific Coast League. In 16 appearances (15 starts) for Oklahoma City, he had a 9–3 record, a 3.57 ERA, 70 strikeouts, 23 walks, and 97 hits allowed in innings pitched. Following the season, he became a free agent.
Oakland Athletics
On December 13, 2015, Surkamp signed a minor league deal with the Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics (often referred to as the A's) are an American professional baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. The t ...
. Not on the 40-man roster, he began the season with the minor league Nashville Sounds
The Nashville Sounds are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. They are located in Nashville, Tennessee, and are named for the city's association with the music industry, ...
. However, Athletics starter Félix Doubront injured himself in the final game of spring training, and Surkamp was recalled on April 8 to take his spot in the starting rotation. In his first MLB start since 2013, he allowed two runs in innings on April 8, receiving a no decision
A no decision (sometimes written no-decision) is one of either of two sports statistics scenarios; one in baseball and softball, and the other in boxing and related combat sports.
Baseball and softball
A starting pitcher who leaves a game witho ...
in a 3–2 victory over the Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are an American professional baseball team based in Seattle. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. The team joined the American League as an expansion team ...
. After four starts, he was sent to Nashville on April 25 because, due to off days, the Athletics only needed four starters and wanted to add another relief pitcher. Called up on May 11, Surkamp made another start, allowing four runs in innings in a 13–3 loss to the Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Boston. The Red Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. Founded in as one of the American League's eig ...
before being optioned to Nashville again on May 17 when Jesse Hahn was recalled. He was called up for a third time on May 31 to take Zach Neal's spot in the rotation. "He’s done well at times here...When we talk about pitching depth, he’s definitely one of the guys we consider in that mix as far as starters go," said manager Bob Melvin
Robert Paul Melvin (born October 28, 1961) is an American former professional baseball player and coach, who is the manager of the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has been named Manager of the Year three times.
Selected in t ...
. Facing the Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are an American professional baseball team based in Minneapolis. The Twins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central Division. The team is named after the Twin Cities area ...
on May 31, he allowed three runs in innings, earning a no decision in a 7–4 victory. Two days later, he was again optioned to Nashville.
When Sean Manaea
Sean Anthony Manaea ( ; born February 1, 1992) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Oakland Athletics and San Diego Padres. He played col ...
was placed on the disabled list on June 14, Surkamp was called up for the fourth time to start for the Athletics. He made three starts on this stint, losing the first two. In the third, against the Los Angeles Angels
The Los Angeles Angels are an American professional baseball team based in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The Angels compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. Since 1966, the team ha ...
on June 24, he allowed four runs (two earned) in innings, receiving a no decision, though the Athletics won 7–4. The next day, he was sent to Nashville for the last time, as Dillon Overton was recalled. Surkamp was designated for assignment on June 27. In nine starts for Oakland, he had an 0–5 record, a 6.98 ERA, 22 strikeouts, 21 walks, and 55 hits allowed in innings. He also made five starts for Nashville, posting a 3–1 record, a 3.07 ERA, 34 strikeouts, 10 walks, and 22 hits allowed in innings pitched.
Hanwha Eagles
Surkamp was claimed off waivers by the Texas Rangers on June 29, 2016, and optioned to the Pacific Coast League's Round Rock Express
The Round Rock Express are a Minor League Baseball team of the Pacific Coast League (PCL) and the Triple-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers. They are located in Round Rock, Texas, and play their home games at the Dell Diamond. The team is named ...
, but he made no appearances for them.[ On July 7, the Rangers released Surkamp so that he could sign with the ]Hanwha Eagles
The Hanwha Eagles ( ko, 한화 이글스) are a South Korean professional baseball team based in Daejeon. They are a member of the KBO League. The Eagles' home ballpark is Daejeon Hanbat Baseball Stadium. The Eagles have won the Korean Series onc ...
of the Korea Baseball Organization
The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO; ko, 한국야구위원회) is the governing body for the professional leagues of baseball in South Korea. The KBO was founded in 1981 and has governed two leagues: the KBO League ( ko, KBO 리그) and K ...
. Used as a starter for a little over a month, he was then moved to the bullpen after posting an 0–3 record.[ In 17 games (eight starts) for Hanwha, Surkamp had a 2–5 record, a 6.31 ERA, 36 strikeouts, 17 walks, and 54 hits allowed in innings.][
]
Pitching style
Over parts of five seasons in the major leagues, Surkamp appeared in 52 games (16 starts). He had a 4–8 record, a 6.68 ERA, 59 strikeouts, 52 walks, and 122 hits allowed in innings pitched. He batted and threw left-handed.
Surkamp's fastball
The fastball is the most common type of pitch thrown by pitchers in baseball and softball. " Power pitchers," such as former American major leaguers Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens, rely on speed to prevent the ball from being hit, and have t ...
averaged , and he threw it only 39.9 percent of the time in his major league career, relying more heavily on his secondary pitches. His main one of these was his curveball
In baseball and softball, the curveball is a type of pitch thrown with a characteristic grip and hand movement that imparts forward spin to the ball, causing it to dive as it approaches the plate. Varieties of curveball include the 12–6 curv ...
, which he threw 22.1 percent of the time. Surkamp also threw a sinking fastball, a slider
Slider or Sliders may refer to:
Arts
* K.K. Slider, a fictional character within the ''Animal Crossing'' franchise
* ''The Slider'', a 1972 album by T. Rex
* ''Sliders'' (TV series), an American science fiction and fantasy television series
* S ...
, and a changeup
A changeup is a type of pitch in baseball and fastpitch softball.
The changeup is a staple off-speed pitch often used in a pitcher's arsenal, usually thrown to look like a fastball but arriving much more slowly to the plate. Its reduced speed ...
about 10 percent of the time each. In 2015 and 2016, he threw a cutter
Cutter may refer to:
Tools
* Bolt cutter
* Box cutter, aka Stanley knife, a form of utility knife
* Cigar cutter
* Cookie cutter
* Glass cutter
* Meat cutter
* Milling cutter
* Paper cutter
* Side cutter
* Cutter, a type of hydraulic rescue to ...
as well.
Personal life
After his MLB career, Surkamp completed a Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science (BS, BSc, SB, or ScB; from the Latin ') is a bachelor's degree awarded for programs that generally last three to five years.
The first university to admit a student to the degree of Bachelor of Science was the University o ...
in Business from NC State. He then became a realtor for Comey & Shepherd in the Cincinnati area.
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Surkamp, Eric
1987 births
Living people
San Francisco Giants players
Chicago White Sox players
Los Angeles Dodgers players
Oakland Athletics players
NC State Wolfpack baseball players
Orleans Firebirds players
Arizona League Giants players
Salem-Keizer Volcanoes players
Augusta GreenJackets players
San Jose Giants players
Richmond Flying Squirrels players
Fresno Grizzlies players
Charlotte Knights players
Oklahoma City Dodgers players
Baseball players from Cincinnati
Major League Baseball pitchers
Nashville Sounds players
Hanwha Eagles players
American expatriate baseball players in South Korea