Former Cardinal Newman, Sonoma State star Scott Alexander called up by Kansas City Royals

In five seasons in the minor leagues, primarily as a relief pitcher, Scott Alexander has compiled a 12-18 record with 20 saves and 3.70 ERA. He struck out 248 in 296 innings.|
LORI A. CARTER
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

The Kansas City Royals on Tuesday called up former Cardinal Newman and Sonoma State pitcher Scott Alexander to the 40-man roster as the defending American League champs prepare for the playoffs.

The Royals, who lost the World Series to the San Francisco Giants in seven games last year, are 12 1/2 games up on second-place Minnesota in the American League Central race with 32 games remaining. They lead the AL with an 80-51 record.

Alexander, a 26-year-old, 6-2, 190-pound lefty, was born in Santa Rosa and starred at Cardinal Newman and Sonoma State before being selected by the Royals in the sixth round of the 2010 draft, the 179th pick overall.

In five seasons in the minors, primarily as a relief pitcher, Alexander compiled a 12-18 record with 20 saves and 3.70 ERA. He struck out 248 in 296 innings.

At Triple-A Omaha since the middle of last season, Alexander went 3-5 with 14 saves and a 3.39 ERA, striking out 63 batters in 82 1/3 innings of work, all in relief.

He led the Storm Chasers this season with a 1.03 WHIP, with a 2.56 ERA and a team-best 14 saves, 13 coming in his last 23 appearances.

Alexander, 26, was the Storm Chasers’ Pitcher of the Month for both June and July and had a 20-inning scoreless streak from May 28 to July 9.

Tuesday’s call-up comes as all Major League Baseball teams can expand their active rosters from 25 to 40, providing depth for the postseason stretch and a chance for young prospects to get experience.

Alexander becomes the fourth SSU athlete to appear on a major league roster, and the third coached by Seawolves’ longtime baseball coach John Goelz.

Alexander follows in the footsteps of Marshall Brant, who played for New York Yankees in 1980-81 and for the Oakland Athletics in 1983, pitcher Daniel Barone (2004) with the Florida Marlins in 2007 and Tommy Everidge (2002-04), who spent time with the A’s in 2009.

You can reach Lori A. Carter at 521-5470 or lori.carter@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @loriacarter.

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