Vogelsong invited to Phillies spring-training

KUTZTOWN, PA. (January 13, 2010) – Former Kutztown University standout Ryan Vogelsong has signed a one-year deal with the two-time reigning National League champion Philadelphia Phillies.

Vogelsong was one of 13 players invited to spring training as a non-roster invitee. Vogelsong will have an opportunity to compete for a spot in either the rotation or the bullpen when the Phillies commence spring training on Thursday, Feb. 18.

Vogelsong, 32, has not pitched professionally in the United States since 2006. He spent the past three years pitching in Japan for the Hanshin Tigers (2007-08) and Orix Buffaloes (2009). During his time in the majors, Vogelsong pitched for the San Francisco Giants and Pittsburgh Pirates. (Link to Bio)

Vogelsong was a stellar pitcher and third baseman for the Kutztown University baseball team from 1996-98.  Vogelsong finished his career with nine school records, including earned-run average in a season (1.41 in 1998) and career (2.87); wins in a season (nine in 1997 and 1998) and career (24); strikeouts in a season (109 in 1998) and career (242); innings pitched in a season (89.2 in 1998) and career (210.1) and complete games in a season (9 in 1998).   

Vogelsong emerged onto the scene as one of the top pitchers in Division II as a sophomore in 1997.  That year, he tied KU’s single-season record for wins with nine, while helping the team to the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division title.  Vogelsong earned first-team All-PSAC East honors. 

The following year, Vogelsong dominated PSAC hitters en route to a KU record and NCAA Division II leading 1.41 earned run average.  He won nine games and struck out a school record 109 batters.  That year, Vogelsong was a second-team All-American, North Atlantic Region Pitcher of the Year, PSAC East Player of the Year, first-team All-Region and all-PSAC East and the KU Male Athlete of the Year.  In addition, Vogelsong was a career .304 hitter as a third baseman, finishing in KU’s top five all time with 73 runs batted in. 

He was selected by the San Francisco Giants in the 5^th round in the 1998 Major League Baseball draft, KU’s highest-ever draft choice.  He made his Major League debut on September 2, 2000, against the Chicago Cubs. Vogelsong was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2001.  He has pitched 277.0 innings and has 10 wins in 100 major league games in his career.  A native of Octorara, PA, he graduated from Octorara High School in 1995.  In 2000, Vogelsong was named one of Kutztown’s top male athletes of the 1990s and one of KU’s Top 30 Athletes of the 20th Century.   

--KU--