Anthony Slama

Anthony Thomas Slama

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 3", Weight 204 lb.
• Schools University of San Diego, Santa Ana Community College
• High School Mater Dei High School
• Debut July 21, 2010
• Final Game June 4, 2011
• Born January 6, 1984 in Orange, CA USA

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Biographical Information

Anthony Slama began 2010 in AAA and made his major league debut in July of that year.

Slama had a 4-4, 2.51 record with 48 K in 46 2/3 innings as a college sophomore at Santa Ana Community College. Transferring to the University of San Diego, he turned in a 2-0, 6.18 junior year. He improved to 2-3 with two saves and a 3.18 ERA as a senior. The Minnesota Twins picked him as a draft-and-follow pick in the 39th round of the 2006 amateur draft. He was signed by scout John Leavitt in 2007 and began his pro career that summer.

The Californian made his pro debut with the 2007 Elizabethton Twins, with four saves and a 2.45 ERA in six games. Moved up to the Beloit Snappers, the right-hander was 1-1 with 10 saves, a 1.48 ERA, 39 strikeouts in 24 1/3 IP and a WHIP under 1.

In 2008, Slama was excellent for the Fort Myers Miracle, going 4-1 with 25 saves, a 1.01 ERA, .173 opponent average, no homers in 71 innings and 110 strikeouts. Despite being a reliever, he led the team in whiffs. He joined Francisco Samuel as the Florida State Leagues All-Star relievers. He ranked 4th in the affiliated minors in K per 9 innings at 13.94. He won the Jim Rantz Award, which goes to the Twins' Minor League Pitcher of the Year. He spent the fall with the Phoenix Desert Dogs in the Arizona Fall League.

Slama remained excellent in 2009. He pitched for the New Britain Rock Cats (4-2, 25 Sv, 2.48, .201 opponent average, 93 K in 65 1/3 IP) and the Rochester Red Wings (0-2, 4 Sv, 3.45, 19 K in 15 2/3 IP). He only allowed a .137 average to right-handed batters. He led both Twins farmhands and the Eastern League in saves. He was named the EL's All-Star relief pitcher, joining Jeanmar Gomez and Joe Savery as the All-Star hurlers.

Starting 2010 strong with Rochester (0-1, 16 Sv, 1.30, 21 H in 48 1/3 IP), Slama was a late addition to the US roster for the 2010 Futures Game. He pitched the 8th inning for the US, relieving Bryan Morris. Slama allowed a leadoff single to Luis Jimenez then got Pedro Ciriaco to ground back to Slama, who started a double play. Hak-ju Lee and Yonder Alonso both singled but Anthony recovered to fan Pedro Báez on three pitches. Christian Friedrich relieved Slama to open the 9th. A week later, he was called up by the Twins and made his major league debut on July 21 pitching a scoreless inning in relief against the Cleveland Indians.

Sources

• 2010 Twins Media Guide
• 2009-2010 Baseball Almanacs
• USD bio

Related Sites

• Anthony Slama on mlb.com