Where Are They Now: Mike Ballard

The Baysox 20th season at Prince George's Stadium is just around the corner. During the past 19 years, hundreds of players have come through Bowie - some have stopped in for just a few weeks and others have been here for years before moving on with their careers. During the offseason, check back to baysox.com to find out where some of those players are now.

Left-handed pitcher Mike Ballard was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 14th round of the 2006 First Year Player Draft out of the University of Virginia. He pitched for Short Season-A Spokane in 2006 and advanced to Advanced-A Bakersfield by the end of the 2007 season.

While with the Rangers, Ballard advanced as high as Triple-A Oklahoma City where he pitched the second half of 2009 and all of 2010. With the RedHawks in 2010, Ballard went 6-8 with a 5.09 ERA in 29 games (18) starts and 111.1 innings of work.

The Norfolk, Va., native joined the Orioles organization for the 2011 season and started the year at home with the Norfolk Tides where he pitched in 10 games. At the beginning of June, Ballard was transferred to the Baysox where he was one of the best pitchers on the team. In 17 games (16 starts) Ballard went 8-3 with a 3.33 ERA and a team-high 112 strikeouts, including three starts where he struck out 10 or more batters.

Ballard signed with the Washington Nationals organization this past season and spent the year with the Harrisburg Senators. In an injury-shortened season, Ballard pitched in 12 games and went 1-5 with a 4.31 ERA and 56 strikeouts. He has signed with the Taiwanese baseball team Brother Elephants for next season.

Past Profiled Players:
Pedro Florimon
Jim Miller
Kam Mickolio
Jonathan Tucker
David Hernandez
Adam Loewen
Eli Whiteside
Pedro Beato
Mike Costanzo
Rommie Lewis
Brandon Snyder
Tyler Henson
Matt Angle
Steve Lerud
Chorye Spoone
Jim Hoey
Kyle Hudson
Joel Guzman
Val Majewski
Jose Diaz

Baysox Baseball - We'll Knock Your 'Sox Off. The Baysox open the 2013 season on the road and begin the 20th season of baseball at Prince George's Stadium Thursday, April 11. To keep up with Baysox news during the offseason, visit baysox.com.