Mike Pelfrey

Mike Pelfrey is a Major League Baseball player for the New York Mets. His pitching style has earned him the nickname among the New York Mets front office as "Big Pelf". Pelfrey grew up in Wichita, Kansas and was named Kansas high school player of the year in both 2001 and 2002. After graduating from Wichita Heights High School, Pelfrey was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays but chose to attend Wichita State University. In 2004, Pelfrey helped Team USA win a gold medal at the World University Baseball Championship. Pelfrey spent 3 years pitching at Wichita State University. Baseball America ranked Pelfrey the fifth best prospect in the draft and with the fourth best fastball among collegiate pitchers. Pelfrey then entered the June 2005 Amateur Baseball Draft where he was selected by the New York Mets. After a lengthy negotiation process, Pelfrey was signed to a 4 year contact on January 10, 2006. Pelfrey started his professional career with the St. Lucie Mets in the lower minor leagues, then promoted later in 2006 to the AA afiliate Binghamton Mets. Pelfrey made his Major League Baseball debut on July 8, 2006 against the Florida Marlins. He earned the victory that day pitching 5 innings, allowing 3 runs, 2 earned, on 5 hits with 4 walks and 3 strikeouts. In August, Pelfrey was sent to the Norfolk Tides and finished the season there. Pelfrey returned to the New York Mets to start the 2007 season but then was sent to the AAA affiliate New Orleans Zephyrs after starting the season with 0 wins and an earned run average of 6.55. Pelfrey pitched strongly in September after being recalled by the New York Mets and has made the opening day roster and starting pitching rotation in 2008.