Los Angeles Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart and two others were killed in a three vehicle accident in Anaheim overnight Thursday. The tragedy comes after he pitched six shutout innings Wednesday night against Oakland. Adenhart was 22.
Adenhart overcame the odds to make it to the bigs. The Maryland native drew plenty of attention when he pitched in high school as Cal Ripken Jr. turned out to see him pitch. He threw a perfect game during his career at Williamsport high school and was expected to be a first round pick in 2004. However, he underwent Tommy John elbow surgery and that resulted in him dropping to the 14th round to the Angels where he was the 413th pick overall. Adenhart was able to start his pro career in 2005 and worked his way up the ladder. The Angels thought so much of Adenhart that then GM Bill Stoneman refused to trade him to Washington for Alfonso Soriano.
Adenhart got off to a 4-0 start with AAA Salt Lake before getting called up to the bigs last season when he made his major league debut against Oakland. He earned his first win in his last start of 2008 against the White Sox May 12th. However, Adenhart had a rocky time upon being sent back down to Salt Lake but it looked like he was back on track in his first start of 2009. He entered the season as the Angels top prospect according to Baseball America.
Condolences to all three victims as well as their families and friends.
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