Who is Ryan Vogelsong?

Ryan Vogelsong

For those of you baseball novices who think of San Francisco's number five starter as another homemade farmhand you're only half right. Ryan Vogelsong was drafted in the fifth round of the 1998 MLB Amateur Draft.  He quickly made an impact among the Giants' scouts and made his way to the show in 2000. That's the part you got right. The last 10 plus seasons have certainly been a full circle trip for the right hander. 

In 2001, Vogelsong was packaged  in a deal to Pittsburgh for pitcher Jason Schmidt. He never lived up to any ones expectations after that. Two appearances in Pirate uniform is all he recorded before missing almost two full seasons due to Tommy John surgery. He returned in 2003 and pitched thru 2006 with Pittsburgh winning only 10 and losing 17. After few years in Japan and a year in the minors, the Giants offered him a minor league deal in 2011.

In 2011, the circle was complete. An injury to Barry Zito gave Vogelsong his return trip  up to to San Francisco. He finished up the 2011 campaign with 13 victories and an impressive 2.71 ERA, earning him a spot in the rotation this season. The 34 year old has been made the most of his new opportunity. Averaging just under 7 innings a start allowing only 12 runs in 5 starts. 

Vogelsong is the text book example of perseverance. Marching forward it didn't matter if it was the minors, Japan, or career threatening injuries. The end has yet to be written for Mr. Vogerlsong but one can only hope for the best for this Giant arm.

- Pal

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