Few expected a journeyman 34-year-old to be leading the defending World Series champion San Francisco Giants pitching staff this seasons, but Ryan Vogelsong is doing just that.
The right-hander not only has the best ERA on the Giants’ highly touted staff, he has the best ERA in the entire National League (2.10) to go along with team-best 8-1 record in 16 starts.
So who is Ryan Vogelsong?
He was actually drafted by the Giants in the fifth round of the 1998 amateur draft and played for the Pirates from 2001 to 2006. Then, he headed over to Japan before returning to America in 2010 after signing a minor league deal with the Phillies. He was later released by Philadelphia and then singed and released by the Angels before returning to San Francisco.
Prior to this All-Star season, Vogelsong hadn’t pitched in the majors since 2006 and his last victory as a starter was on September 19, 2004.
Vogelsong entered the season with 10 career wins. During his final stint with the Pirates, he allowed 27 earned runs in 38 innings (6.39 ERA).
But something has clicked for Vogelsong this season. He’s only allowed more than two earned runs twice and has been a perfect compliment to a staff that already features Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain. With the playoff hunt heating up, will Vogelsong be able to continue this Cinderella story?
