Scott Lodgek saw 2 pro seasons, pitched against Soviets
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The Mariners picked up University of North Carolina product Scott Lodgek in the seventh round of the 1989 draft and his coach told The Chapel Hill News why.
"The pro teams look for great arms, and he has a great arm," North Carolina Coach Mike Roberts told The News. "He lacks consistency, but he definitely has the power of a major-leaguer."
Lodgek went on from there, however, to play just two pro seasons, a career cut short by injury.
Lodgek's career began that year in 1989, taken by the Mariners out of North Carolina.
At UNC in April 1989, Lodgek got to face a Soviet Union squad pretty much new to the game and he took the win.
"I was expected to go out there and I went out there and did it," Lodgek told The Associated Press afterward.
Lodgek started with the Mariners at short-season Bellingham. He saw 14 starts and went 4-4, with a 2.42 ERA.
Late that June, he spoke to The Daily Tar Heel about his early experiences as a pro, as opposed to college.
"It is more like showing up for a job. Also, you don't have classes to worry about," Lodgek told The Tar Heel. "There was more regimentation in college. Everything was done at a set time."
Lodgek moved to high-A Peninsula for 1990. His season consisted of 12 outings, eight starts. He went 1-6, with a 4.44 ERA. An injury then ended his career after two seasons.
- Island Packet, Associated Press, April 18, 1989: Tar Heels down fledgling Soviets 13-2
- Chapel Hill News, June 8, 1989: Fastball propels Lodgek to early round
- The Daily Tar Heel, June 29, 1989: Former Tar Heels hitting it big in pros
Made the Majors:1,377-32.9%
Never Made Majors:2,806-67.1%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:559
10+ Seasons in the Minors:344
