Brandon Hynick Selected to All-Decade Team, Starting Pitcher Number Three
Hynick's Perfect Game proves decisive; Vote for your starting centerfielder at [email protected], to debut Tuesday
Brandon Hynick
With a Sky Sox career that was as brief as it was brilliant, Brandon Hynick was able to perform at a level that few in Sox history have been able to match. In light of his success, SkySox.com is proud to announce its number three starting pitcher, Brandon Hynick.
A worm-killer who generated plenty of ground balls with a good two-seamer and splitter, Hynick took a unique road to stardom. Lacking the ability to strike out batters with regularity, Hynick's recipe instead relied on his defenders making outs, while keeping the ball in the yard by inducing a healthy number of ground balls. Adding superb command, the sum total of Hynick's parts was greater than most all pitchers who took the mound this decade for the hometown team.
Drafted out of Birmingham-Southern College in the eighth round (228th overall) of the 2006 June draft, Hynick was inked by Rockies' scout Damon Iannelli to a $90,000 bonus. Signing just before the conclusion of the '06 season, Hynick premiered for low-A Tri-City, appearing in 2 games, posting a 2.57 ERA.
The 2007 season saw Hynick promoted to High-A Modesto, where he began to make noise on the prospect charts. Though he lacked prototypical, dominant stuff, he forced scouts to take notice, posting a 2.52 ERA in 182.1 innings, striking out 136 while walking only 31. For his exceptional performance, the hurler was honored as the Rockies' Minor League Player of the Year.
With a superb full season under his belt, Hynick was promoted to Double-A Tulsa - a key proving ground for legitimate MLB prospects. Again, the pitcher impressed, showing excellent command - walking 31 in 172.1 innings, while striking out 97. Home run troubles crept up on Hynick, however, as he relinquished a startling 27 home runs on his way to posting a 4.44 ERA. Still, the high-command in Denver was more than satisfied with the pitcher's overall performance, promoting Hynick to Colorado Springs for the start of 2009.
Now in the hitter's haven of Security Service Field, Hynick's meddle and stuff would be tested as it never before had.
While many strikeout and high-velocity hurlers can fall back on their superior stuff at high altitude, Hynick would be forced to refine his approach for every at-bat, trust his defenders, and remain focused through the entirety of his outings. Rising to the challenge, the young righty registered one of the best seasons of any Sky Sox pitcher since the club's inception in 1988.
Though he began the season slowly - his ERA peaking at 5.76 through six starts - Hynick found his form in mid-May and never looked back. In three starts spanning May 16-28, the pitcher allowed just three earned runs in 20.2 innings (1.30 ERA), winning all three contests including a one hit, seven-inning performance on May 23.
Dominating opposing lineups nearly every start thereafter, Hynick would go on to allow one run or fewer in nine of his final 19 starts. Amassing 155.0 stellar innings, the right-hander continued his standard of excellence, walking just 48 while striking out 92 -finishing the season ranked first on the club in innings pitched, strikeouts, and tied for the lead in wins (10).
But this was just the tip of the iceberg on the pitcher's historic season. Reaching two significant franchise milestones, by September Hynick found himself the first pitcher in Sky Sox history to complete a perfect game en route to becoming the first pitcher in nearly 20 years (Jeff Bittiger, 1991) to eclipse 25 starts while maintaining a sub-4.00 ERA.
The signature moment of his short stay in the Springs, Hynick will always be remembered for that famed Tuesday night when not a single Portland batter reached base. The scope of Hynick's achievement cannot be understated - it was only the ninth perfect game in the 107 year history of the Pacific Coast League.
But he was so much more than that.
Enough can't be said for the fact that he was also the total package as a baseball player. Undoubtedly, Hynick was one of the best dual threat, pitcher-hitter combos ever to play in the Springs. Helping his own cause in a way few other pitchers are capable, the burgeoning hitter slugged two home runs in 36 at-bats while posting a .344 batting average.
While most pitchers are expected to be easy outs at the plate, Hynick was the rare exception. When he stepped into the batter's box, the opposing starter couldn't cruise through the at-bat - instead having to pay close attention to the dangerous hitter. Adding an uncommon element unique to the Sky Sox' offense, there were no easy outs when Hynick was slated to start.
Though he was shipped to Triple-A Charlotte just before the September 1 trade deadline, Hynick's legacy will always come back to that perfect game - and any pitcher with such a resume belongs in another stratosphere.
A true ballplayer in every sense of the word, SkySox.com is proud to announce Brandon Hynick to "Colorado Springs' Team of the Decade," starter number three!
--Stats--
Brandon Hynick Quick Facts
Debut at Security Service Field: April 13, 2009 v. Reno
This Date in History, April 13
Baseball Births, March 7
Sky Sox Career Highlights
Sky Sox Team Leaderboard, 2009
Once again, congratulations to Brandon Hynick, third starting pitcher for "Colorado Springs' Team of the Decade!"
Thanks to all our fans for their input and assistance!
And be sure to check in this Tuesday, as we announce our starting center fielder!
Countdown to the 2010 Home Opener: 50 Days!
With a Sky Sox career that was as brief as it was brilliant, Brandon Hynick was able to perform at a level that few in Sox history have been able to match. In light of his success, SkySox.com is proud to announce its number three starting pitcher, Brandon Hynick.
A worm-killer who generated plenty of ground balls with a good two-seamer and splitter, Hynick took a unique road to stardom. Lacking the ability to strike out batters with regularity, Hynick's recipe instead relied on his defenders making outs, while keeping the ball in the yard by inducing a healthy number of ground balls. Adding superb command, the sum total of Hynick's parts was greater than most all pitchers who took the mound this decade for the hometown team.
Drafted out of Birmingham-Southern College in the eighth round (228th overall) of the 2006 June draft, Hynick was inked by Rockies' scout Damon Iannelli to a $90,000 bonus. Signing just before the conclusion of the '06 season, Hynick premiered for low-A Tri-City, appearing in 2 games, posting a 2.57 ERA.
The 2007 season saw Hynick promoted to High-A Modesto, where he began to make noise on the prospect charts. Though he lacked prototypical, dominant stuff, he forced scouts to take notice, posting a 2.52 ERA in 182.1 innings, striking out 136 while walking only 31. For his exceptional performance, the hurler was honored as the Rockies' Minor League Player of the Year.
With a superb full season under his belt, Hynick was promoted to Double-A Tulsa - a key proving ground for legitimate MLB prospects. Again, the pitcher impressed, showing excellent command - walking 31 in 172.1 innings, while striking out 97. Home run troubles crept up on Hynick, however, as he relinquished a startling 27 home runs on his way to posting a 4.44 ERA. Still, the high-command in Denver was more than satisfied with the pitcher's overall performance, promoting Hynick to Colorado Springs for the start of 2009.
Now in the hitter's haven of Security Service Field, Hynick's meddle and stuff would be tested as it never before had.
While many strikeout and high-velocity hurlers can fall back on their superior stuff at high altitude, Hynick would be forced to refine his approach for every at-bat, trust his defenders, and remain focused through the entirety of his outings. Rising to the challenge, the young righty registered one of the best seasons of any Sky Sox pitcher since the club's inception in 1988.
Though he began the season slowly - his ERA peaking at 5.76 through six starts - Hynick found his form in mid-May and never looked back. In three starts spanning May 16-28, the pitcher allowed just three earned runs in 20.2 innings (1.30 ERA), winning all three contests including a one hit, seven-inning performance on May 23.
Dominating opposing lineups nearly every start thereafter, Hynick would go on to allow one run or fewer in nine of his final 19 starts. Amassing 155.0 stellar innings, the right-hander continued his standard of excellence, walking just 48 while striking out 92 -finishing the season ranked first on the club in innings pitched, strikeouts, and tied for the lead in wins (10).
But this was just the tip of the iceberg on the pitcher's historic season. Reaching two significant franchise milestones, by September Hynick found himself the first pitcher in Sky Sox history to complete a perfect game en route to becoming the first pitcher in nearly 20 years (Jeff Bittiger, 1991) to eclipse 25 starts while maintaining a sub-4.00 ERA.
The signature moment of his short stay in the Springs, Hynick will always be remembered for that famed Tuesday night when not a single Portland batter reached base. The scope of Hynick's achievement cannot be understated - it was only the ninth perfect game in the 107 year history of the Pacific Coast League.
But he was so much more than that.
Enough can't be said for the fact that he was also the total package as a baseball player. Undoubtedly, Hynick was one of the best dual threat, pitcher-hitter combos ever to play in the Springs. Helping his own cause in a way few other pitchers are capable, the burgeoning hitter slugged two home runs in 36 at-bats while posting a .344 batting average.
While most pitchers are expected to be easy outs at the plate, Hynick was the rare exception. When he stepped into the batter's box, the opposing starter couldn't cruise through the at-bat - instead having to pay close attention to the dangerous hitter. Adding an uncommon element unique to the Sky Sox' offense, there were no easy outs when Hynick was slated to start.
Though he was shipped to Triple-A Charlotte just before the September 1 trade deadline, Hynick's legacy will always come back to that perfect game - and any pitcher with such a resume belongs in another stratosphere.
A true ballplayer in every sense of the word, SkySox.com is proud to announce Brandon Hynick to "Colorado Springs' Team of the Decade," starter number three!
--Stats--
Brandon Hynick Quick Facts
Debut at Security Service Field: April 13, 2009 v. Reno
- 3.1 IP, 7 ER, 7 H, 4 BB, 2 K
This Date in History, April 13
- April 13, 1861: In the opening battle of the American Civil War, the Union surrenders Fort Sumter to Confederate forces.
- April 13, 1970: Two days after launching, an oxygen tank explodes aboard Apollo 13, forcing the crew to abandon a lunar landing.
- April 13, 1976: The two-dollar bill is officially reentered into circulation by the Treasury Department.
- April 13, 1992: The Great Chicago Flood occurs, resulting from a crack in an underground freight tunnel. Damage estimates center around $1.95 billion.
Baseball Births, March 7
- March 7, 1960: Joe Carter, Outfield, Toronto Blue Jays; Hit World-Series winning walk-off home run in 1993; Five-time MLB All-Star
- March 7, 1968: Jeff Kent, Second Baseman, San Francisco Giants; Five-time MLB All-Star
- March 7, 1985: Brandon Hynick, Starting Pitcher
Sky Sox Career Highlights
- Threw only perfect game in Sky Sox history, June 30 v. Portland
- First Sky Sox starting pitcher with sub-4.00 ERA since 1991 (min 25 GS)
Sky Sox Team Leaderboard, 2009
- 1st - Innings Pitched (155.0)
- 1st - ERA (3.83; 80+ IP)
- 1st - SO (92)
- T-1st - Wins (10)
Once again, congratulations to Brandon Hynick, third starting pitcher for "Colorado Springs' Team of the Decade!"
Thanks to all our fans for their input and assistance!
And be sure to check in this Tuesday, as we announce our starting center fielder!
Countdown to the 2010 Home Opener: 50 Days!