Kevin Correia

Kevin Correia
Pittsburgh Pirates – No. 29
Pitcher
Born: August 24, 1980 (1980-08-24) San Diego, California
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
MLB debut
July 10, 2003 for the San Francisco Giants
Career statistics (through 2011 season)
Win-Loss record	48-54
Earned run average	4.61
Strikeouts	623
Teams
San Francisco Giants (2003-2008) San Diego Padres (2009-2010) Pittsburgh Pirates (2011-present)
Career highlights and awards
1× All-Star selection (2011)

Kevin John Correia (born August 24, 1980 in San Diego, California) is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Early life

He attended Grossmont High School in El Cajon, California. He attended Grossmont Junior College and then transferred to Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in 2000. Correia is of Portuguese descent. Kevin's college nickname was Sherry, because he only drank cream sherry.

Professional career

San Francisco Giants

He was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the fourth round (127th overall) of the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft.

In 2003, Correia became the first player taken in the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft to reach the major leagues, and in 2004, Baseball America named him the organization's #6 prospect. Correia split the 2004 and 2005 seasons between the Giants and the minor leagues, and making 12 big league starts and 16 relief appearances between the two seasons.

Going into the 2006 season, Correia competed for the Giants' fifth starter spot with Brad Hennessey and Jamey Wright. Although Correia pitched well in spring training, Wright eventually won the spot, and Correia began the season in Triple-A with the Fresno Grizzlies. Correia was called up to the Giants in April due to injuries and poor performance by the team's bullpen, and was primarily used in middle relief.

Correia rejoined the Giants' starting rotation in August 2007. After seven starts (40 innings), he had a 1.80 ERA. In 2008, Correia was mostly a starter, but had a 6.05 ERA during the season and became a free agent after the season.

San Diego Padres

In 2009, Correia had a slow start, with an ERA above 5.00+. Padres pitching coach Darren Balsley began tweaking his delivery. In June, Correia started to lower his ERA. With the pitchers Jake Peavy and Chris Young on the DL, Correia soon became the ace for the Padres. On June 10, Correia only allowed one run through six strong innings against the Dodgers offense. On September 25, 2009, Correia allowed six hits and struck out seven batters in a complete game shutout versus the Arizona Diamondbacks; the first of his career. On December 12, 2009, Correia re-signed for a one year, 3 million dollar contract. On May 9, 2010, he was scratched from a start after his younger brother, Trevor, died after falling from a 60-foot cliff while hiking on Santa Cruz Island.

Pittsburgh Pirates

On December 17, 2010, the Pirates signed Correia to a 2 year, $8 million deal. On March 24, 2011, the Pirates named Correia their Opening Day starter. As of late June 2011, Correia was tied for the major league lead in wins.

External links

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)