Eric Surkamp Set for Major League Debut
By Editorial Staff
Eric Surkamp has been called up and is set to make his Major League debut for the San Francisco Giants tonight when they take on the Houston Astros.
Surkamp will be filling in for injured Giants’ starter Jonathan Sanchez who’s been out since the middle of August with a sprained ankle.
San Francisco originally used reliever Dan Runzler to replaced Sanchez, but the lefty allowed 4 runs on 3 hits and 3 walks in only 1.2 innings last Sunday against the Astros. The Giants have decided to return Runzler to the pen while promoting Surkamp for today’s start.
Surkamp, who entered the season as the Giants’ 9th best prospect according to Baseball America, has spent the year pitching for San Francisco’s Double-A affiliate. The 23 year old compiled a record of 10-4 over his 23 games with an ERA of 2.02 and 1.082 WHIP.
Surkamp struck out 165 batters in his 142.1 innings of work while only surrendering 44 free passes, resulting in an impressive SO/BB ratio of 3.75.
Drafted by the Giants in the 6th round of the 2008 draft, Surkamp has maintained an ERA of 2.89 over his three seasons in the minors.
San Francisco hopes the young Surkamp can provide a boost to a rotation currently without starters Sanchez and Barry Zito. The Giants are also sans the back end of their bullpen, as Sergio Romo and Brian Wilson are on the DL.
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