Switch-hitting batters are still commonplace in Major League Baseball.
But a switch-pitching pitcher? Now, that's as rare as it gets.
Pat Venditte, an ambidextrous pitcher, could become the first switch-pitcher to throw in the Majors since Greg Harris recorded outs with his left and right hands, playing for the then-Montreal Expos in September 1995. An MLB report has confirmed the Oakland A's purchased Venditte's contract from Triple-A Nashville on Friday.
Venditte will be trying to add to a rare baseball occurrence. However, it's important to mention that Harris only accomplished recording outs from both sides in one inning. Before that, one would have to date all the way back to 1882 to find Tony Mullane, the last known pitcher who threw from both sides.
Venditte, 29, was born a natural righty, but when he was 3 years old, his dad started to develop his left hand. The rest is history, as Venditte is able to throw as a right-hander or southpaw. He wears a special glove with six finger spots and wiggle room for his thumb on both sides.
Of course, he decides to pitch lefty or righty depending on the hitter he's facing at the plate. If Venditte is facing a switch-hitter, he must notify him beforehand about which side he's going to be throwing from. If you're thinking the kid's a novelty, he's not. He worked his way up in the minors, starting with the New York Yankees' organization, before signing with the A's this past offseason.
Through the minors, he sports a career 2.37 ERA. But this season, playing in the Pacific Coast League, he's holding batters to a .167 average with an ultra-stingy 1.36 ERA.
ESPN's E:60 actually profiled Venditte last year. Check out the piece below.
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