Brian Curtis Tallet (born September 21, 1977) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. Tallet played the majority of his career for the Toronto Blue Jays. He also played for the St. Louis Cardinals and the Cleveland Indians. He is 6' 6" in height.[1] He pitched for the LSU Tigers and won a national championship in 2000.

Brian Tallet
Tallet with the Toronto Blue Jays
Pitcher
Born: (1977-09-21) September 21, 1977 (age 47)
Midwest City, Oklahoma, U.S.
Batted: Left
Threw: Left
MLB debut
September 16, 2002, for the Cleveland Indians
Last MLB appearance
August 30, 2011, for the Toronto Blue Jays
MLB statistics
Win–loss record16–25
Earned run average4.79
Strikeouts337
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams

Career

edit

Tallet was drafted in the 1996, 1997, and 1999 drafts by the Marlins, Yankees, and Pirates, respectively, but did not sign with them. Instead, he attended Hill College and Louisiana State University. In 1997 and 1998, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[2]

Tallet did sign when drafted in the second round (55th overall) of the 2000 MLB draft by the Cleveland Indians.[1] He made his major league debut on September 16, 2002, against the Boston Red Sox. He posted six shutout innings while allowing only four hits in Cleveland's 7–1 win.[3] Tallet missed the 2004 season after having Tommy John surgery in August 2003.[4]

Cleveland Indians

edit

In his first two major league starts in 2002, Tallet had one win in 12 innings pitched with a 1.50 ERA.[1] He also struck out five and walked four. For the 2003 season, Tallet posted an 0–2 record in five games (three starts) starts while allowing 20 earned runs with a 4.74 ERA in 19 innings pitched.[1] Things did not get much better in 2005, as he compiled a 7.71 ERA in two games.[1] During his career in Cleveland, he compiled a 1–2 record with a 4.09 ERA, while also striking out 16 and walking 15.

Toronto Blue Jays

edit

On January 16, 2006, he was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for Bubbie Buzachero.[5]

In Tallet's first season with Toronto, he went 3–0 with a 3.81 ERA in 44 games (one start).[1] Tallet made his first start of the season and in over three years on August 7, 2006, against the Baltimore Orioles. In the game, despite walking four batters in two innings, Tallet held the Orioles scoreless. He earned a no-decision in Toronto's 8–1 win.[6]

In 2007, he had a 2–4 record with a 3.47 ERA in 48 games.[1] In 2008, Tallet had a 1–2 record with a 2.88 ERA in 51 games.[1]

In February 2009, the Jays avoided salary arbitration with Tallet, signing him to a one-year contract worth $1.015 million.[7]

During the month of April, Tallet compiled a 1–1 record with a 6.45 ERA after taking over in the starting rotation for Jesse Litsch.[8] After two close losses in which he was supported by only one run in each game, Tallet defeated the Boston Red Sox on May 30, who had kicked off a nine-game skid for the Jays starting from May 19 to May 27. In the game, he went seven strong innings while giving up three runs and striking out six.[8][9] During the month of May, Tallet went 2–2 with a 4.26 ERA and in only one of those starts did he give up more than three runs.[8]

On September 27, 2009, Tallet gave up Matt Tuiasosopo's first career home run, which was correctly predicted by Mike Blowers in detail.[10] In 2009, Tallet pitched the most innings of his career due to his time in the starting rotation (160.2). In 37 games (25 starts), he went 7–9 with a 5.32 ERA while striking out 120 batters and walking 72.[1]

On November 11, 2010, he refused an assignment to the minors and became a free agent.[11]

St. Louis Cardinals

edit

On November 30, 2010, Tallet signed a one-year, $750,000 contract with the St. Louis Cardinals.[12]

In early July 2011, Tallet strained an intercostal muscle from a heavy sneeze. After doctors examined the CT scan on the muscle strain, they saw past the rib cage and discovered that he also had cysts clinging to his kidneys. He was subsequently diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease.[13]

Toronto Blue Jays (second stint)

edit

On July 27, 2011, he was traded back to the Toronto Blue Jays along with P. J. Walters, Colby Rasmus and Trever Miller for Edwin Jackson, Octavio Dotel, Marc Rzepczynski and Corey Patterson.[14][15]

Tallet made four rehab appearances for the Class-A Dunedin Blue Jays after his acquisition, allowing one run in four innings.[16] Following a 12–0 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on August 28, Tallet was called up to the Blue Jays. Wil Ledezma was designated for assignment to make room for Tallet on the 40-man roster.[16] Tallet made his return to the Blue Jays on August 30 coming in for the 10th inning in a save situation. He blew the save and took the loss, giving up two runs on two walks and two singles while recording only one out.[17] The following day, Tallet was designated for assignment to free space for the return of Carlos Villanueva, who had been on the 15-day disabled list since August 4.[18] He was released on September 2.

Pittsburgh & San Diego

edit

On January 28, 2012, Tallet signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates[19] and was traded on April 7, 2012, to the San Diego Padres.[20] Tallet began the year with Triple-A Tucson. The Padres released Tallet on May 17, 2012.[21]

Lancaster Barnstormers

edit

On May 17, 2013, Tallet signed with the Lancaster Barnstormers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He became a free agent following the season. He appeared in 18 games 21.2 innings of relief going 0-1 with a 4.57 ERA and 18 strikeouts.

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Brian Tallet Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com. Archived from the original on September 21, 2020.
  2. ^ "Major League Baseball Players From the Cape Cod League" (PDF). Cape Cod Baseball League. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 7, 2012. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  3. ^ "Tribe likes Tallet's style, and six shutout innings". ESPN. Associated Press. September 16, 2002. Archived from the original on December 22, 2021. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
  4. ^ Zwolinski, Mark (June 2, 2009). "A surprising season for Jays and Tallet". Toronto Star. Retrieved September 17, 2009.
  5. ^ "Blue Jays Acquire Tallet from Cleveland". Minor League Baseball. January 18, 2006. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
  6. ^ "Jays piece together two-hitter, beat woeful O's". ESPN. August 7, 2006. Archived from the original on December 22, 2021. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
  7. ^ "Blue Jays settle 1-year contract with Brian Tallet". Toronto Star. February 5, 2009. Retrieved September 17, 2009.
  8. ^ a b c "Brian Tallet Game by Game Stats and Performance". ESPN. Archived from the original on December 22, 2021. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
  9. ^ Bastian, Jordan (May 30, 2009). "Blue Jays rally past Sox for series win". Toronto Blue Jays. MLB.com. Archived from the original on October 18, 2015. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
  10. ^ "Mariners Broadcaster Mike Blowers Makes Greatest MLB Prediction of All Time". Bleacher Report. September 29, 2009. Archived from the original on October 2, 2009. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
  11. ^ "Jays allow A's to claim Encarnacion, Tallet a free agent". TSN. November 12, 2010. Archived from the original on November 15, 2010. Retrieved November 29, 2010.
  12. ^ Castrovince, Anthony (November 30, 2010). "Cards swap with Dodgers for Theriot, sign Tallet". St. Louis Cardinals. MLB.com. Archived from the original on December 4, 2010. Retrieved December 4, 2010.
  13. ^ Goold, Derrick (July 11, 2011). "Tallet learns he has kidney disease". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Archived from the original on July 13, 2011. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
  14. ^ "Cardinals deal Rasmus to Jays in three-team mega-deal". Sporting News. July 27, 2011. Archived from the original on June 15, 2012. Retrieved July 27, 2011.
  15. ^ Frenette, Brad. "Blue Jays acquire top prospect Colby Rasmus in three-team deal". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved July 27, 2011.[permanent dead link]
  16. ^ a b Chisholm, Gregor (August 29, 2011). "Tallet returns from rib-cage strain". Toronto Blue Jays. MLB.com. Archived from the original on October 8, 2012. Retrieved October 8, 2012.
  17. ^ "Ryan Adams hits walk-off single as O's rally in 10th to beat Jays". ESPN. Associated Press. August 30, 2011. Archived from the original on December 22, 2021. Retrieved August 31, 2011.
  18. ^ "Jays activate Villanueva, designate Tallet for assignment". TSN. August 31, 2011. Archived from the original on October 20, 2012. Retrieved October 20, 2012.
  19. ^ Singer, Tom (February 3, 2012). "Pirates sign lefty Tallet to Minor League deal". Pittsburgh Pirates. MLB.com. Archived from the original on February 11, 2012. Retrieved February 11, 2012.
  20. ^ "Major League Baseball Transactions". MLB.com. Archived from the original on April 5, 2010.
  21. ^ Nicholson-Smith, Ben (May 17, 2012). "Minor Moves: Brian Tallet". MLB Trade Rumors. Archived from the original on May 20, 2012. Retrieved May 17, 2012.
edit