Craig Breslow: Difference between revisions

Craig Antonio Breslow (born August 8, 1980 in New Haven, Connecticut) is a relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who currently plays for the Boston Red Sox. He throws left handed and is largely considered a lefty specialist.

Breslow, who is Jewish, attended Trumbull High School in Trumbull, Connecticut and was a standout in soccer and baseball. In soccer, he helped lead the Trumbull High soccer team to their first ever state tournament victory. He was known for having an uncanny ability to score from very difficult and wide angles, and ranks among the schools all-time scorers.

In baseball, he played for the legendary Coach Jerry McDougall and was the winning pitcher as he led the Eagles against crosstown rival Masuk in the LL State Baseball championship game. The game also featured future 2nd round draft pick Jamie D'Antona (Arizona Diamondbacks). Breslow played in the Connecticut/Massachusetts All Star game at Fenway Park later that year, a foreshadowing of his days as a Red Sox pitcher.

Breslow was captain of the Yale University baseball team.

He was drafted in the 26th round by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2002.

The lefty has spent most of his young career climbing through the minor leagues, and even had a stint with the independent New Jersey Jackals, but in 2005 appeared in 14 games for the San Diego Padres, posting an ERA of 2.20.

In 2006, he was named an International League (AAA) All-Star for his steady relief work with the Pawtucket Red Sox, and was called up to Boston on July 13, 2006. His July promotion made him the 4th Jewish player (in addition to Kevin Youkilis, Gabe Kapler, and Adam Stern) to play for the Red Sox that year.

Breslow was again sent down to AAA after only 1.2 innings of work, against the Oakland A's. In that game, Breslow hit Frank Thomas for his first Hit By Pitch of his career.

After continuing to pitch well, Breslow was called up for a 2nd time on August 15th, 2006, and again pitched 1.2 innings, allowing only 1 hit and striking out 3; but before an unusual 5-game series in 4 days against the Yankees at Fenway, he was sent back down to the minors in order to make room for newly acquired infielder converted into outfielder Eric Hinske. The Red Sox lost all 5 games.

Although he only played 12 innings with the Red Sox in 2006, he posted a respectable 3.75 ERA for the year. In 67 innings of work at Pawtucket, he had an impressive year, posting a 2.69 ERA.

His fastball tops out at 90 mph, but generally sits in high 80s. He also has a plus curveball, and an average changeup.

2006 International League All-Star 2006 SoxProspects.com All-Star 2006 Pawtucket Red Sox Most Valuable Pitcher

• ESPN player card
• biographical article
• scouting report

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