Falcon Park II Auburn New York Home of the Auburn Doubledays NY-Penn League (Short Season Single-A) |
They would come into 1997 at the ages of 18 and 19. Playing in their first pro seasons
coming straight out of their final college years. Neither were projected
to be impact players, never mind future superstars. The first was a 19 year old
who was drafted in the 23rd round by the Houston Astros. He didn’t display any
of his future talents going 2-4, 4.53 but would quickly become one of the most
promising prospects in the Minors. By 2001, Roy Oswalt had broken into the Major
Leagues going an amazing 14-3 in his very first season, coming in 2nd place
to Rookie Of The Year… an award he would have easily won in any other season had
Albert Pujols not also made his debut in 2001. Oswalt also came in 5th in Cy
Young Award voting. While he still hasn’t ever won a Cy Young Award, he has been
in the top 5 in voting 5 times. In 2002, Oswalt really began to shine. His first
full season in the Majors, Roy went 19-9 with a 3.01 ERA. By 2004, Oswalt
had his first 20 win season going 20-10 with a 3.49 ERA, and he followed that
up with a 20-12, 2.94 season in 2005. Though he would go 15-8 the following
season, his 2.98 ERA was best in the National League. After 10 seasons with the
Houston Astros, Oswalt was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies by the trading
deadline of 2010. Oswalt has been nominated as an All-Star 3 times in his career
and as of this writing at the age of 32, he is considered to be one of the top
pitchers in all of baseball. |