A's Sign Fan Who Threw 96 at a Radar Gun Booth

[IU Hawks fan]

This is the greatest story ever.

Fan who threw 96 mph at in-stadium radar booth signs contract with A's

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[Quid Pro Clowe]

Why would you see a kid throw 96 and NOT sign him?

Thanks for the free lottery ticket, Rockies.

 

[Canes]

Reminds me of those pitchers from India who signed for the Pirates several years ago. But at least this guy has baseball experience even if it's just high school ball.

 

[KevFu]

It reminds me of the scene in The Rookie (based on a true story of Rays pitcher Jim Morris).

"I'm going to get laughed at for calling in (a scouting report on) a 35 year old. But if I don't call in a lefty throwing 96, I'm going to get fired."

 

[Quid Pro Clowe]

Struck out all 3 hitters he faced in his pro debut.

 

[BigMac1212]

Million Dollar Arm, anybody?

 

[garnetpalmetto]

Reminds me of those pitchers from India who signed for the Pirates several years ago. But at least this guy has baseball experience even if it's just high school ball.

Million Dollar Arm, anybody?

It reminds me of the scene in The Rookie (based on a true story of Rays pitcher Jim Morris).

"I'm going to get laughed at for calling in (a scouting report on) a 35 year old. But if I don't call in a lefty throwing 96, I'm going to get fired."

Yeah I'm reminded more of Jim Morris here than either Rinku Singh or Dinesh Patel. Funnily enough, Singh is still around, albeit not in baseball - he signed a contract with the WWE in 2018 and has been wrestling as part of their NXT developmental brand (although he's yet to make a TV debut on NXT). No idea what's become of Patel.

It'll be interesting to see how Patterson does. His full stat line as it sits right now playing in the Arizona League is:

W	L	ERA	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	SVO	IP	H	R	ER	HR	HB	BB	IBB	SO	AVG	WHIP	GO/AO
0	1	4.76	3	3	0	0	0	0	5.2	3	3	3	1	0	1	0	8	.150	0.71	2.00

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

 

[rangerssharks414]

8 Ks and only 1 BB is impressive for someone signed because of a radar gun booth (very small sample size, but still...)

 

[Filthy Dangles]

8 Ks and only 1 BB is impressive for someone signed because of a radar gun booth (very small sample size, but still...)

I feel like the story is overly sensationalized. The kid was a former high school pitcher and throws other pitches than a fastball.

They make it sound like it was this insane serendipity of picking up a baseball for the first time and recognizing he had a hidden gift.

 

[Quid Pro Clowe]

I feel like the story is overly sensationalized. The kid was a former high school pitcher and throws other pitches than a fastball.

They make it sound like it was this insane serendipity of picking up a baseball for the first time and recognizing he had a hidden gift.

Not playing college or pro ball prior is significant.