Career Recap (1997-2005):
Selected in the 2nd round (72nd overall) of the 1997 First-Year Player Draft as a pitcher, Ankiel fell in the draft due to signabilty concerns and the fact that he was represented by Scott Boras. He received a $2.5 million bonus from the Cardinals in August and did not begin his professional career until 1998.
By 1999, Ankiel was already rated as the 2nd best prospect in all of baseball by Baseball America, behind only J.D. Drew. In 2000 he was rated as the best, but that was after he was already called up to the Cardinals on August 23, 1999. In 33 innings as a 20-year-old, with less than two years experience as a pro, Ankiel posted a 3.27 ERA, striking out 39 and walking 14 while opponents hit only .215 off him.
He was already a full-starter for the Cardinals in 2000. With 30 of his 31 appearances that season coming as a starter, Ankiel went 11-7 with a 3.50 ERA, striking out 194 and walking 90 in 175 innings while opponents hit only .219 against him.
The 2000 postseason is when it all started to go down-hill for Ankiel. Named as the Game 1 starter against the Atlanta Braves in the Division Series, Ankiel worked through the first two innings without harm before running into trouble in the third. With the Cardinals leading 6-0, Ankiel retired just two of the eight batters he faced in the inning and the left after allowing four runs and a major league-record five wild pitches in the frame. Despite his stuggles, the Cardinals still went on to win the game (7-5) and the series.
Ankiel also started Game 2 of the National League Championship series against the Mets. It was even worse this time, as he would last only 2/3 of an inning, retiring just two of the six batters he faced, walking three, allowing a double, and throwing two more wild pitches. He also appeared in Game 5 out of the bullpen, but again threw two more wild pitches and allowed a run in only 2/3 of an inning.
He began to show the form that he displayed during his rookie year early on in 2001. He even beat Randy Johnson on April 8 at Arizona, but struggled in his next five starts, throwing five wild pitches and walking 25 in 24 innings, and was optioned to Memphis on May 11. In his first start for the Redbirds, he walked six and threw four wild pitches. In his last of three starts for Memphis, in which he walked 17 in just 4-1/3 innings, Ankiel set the Pacific Coast League record for wild pitches (5) and walks (6) in a single inning. He was then sent to extended spring training for three weeks. He reported to Rookie-level Johnson City in June and turned his season around. He led the Appalachian League with a 1.33 ERA in 14 starts, fanning a league leading 158 batters in 87-1/3 innings pitched while walking only 18. He also made a run at the Appy League home runs title, belting 10 home runs as a part-time designated hitter.
Rick missed the entire 2002 season with left elbow tendinitis and a strained flexor muscle. The injury did not require surgery, but he was not cleared to throw until December.
Ankiel was sent to Double-A Tennessee in 2003 after struggling in spring training. He began the season in the bullpen, going 1-1 with a 6.75 ERA in 10 appearances, before being moved to the starting rotation on May 9. He made 10 starts and was 1-5 with a 6.20 ERA before being sidelined with elbow discomfort in July. He underwent Tommy John surgery on his left elbow on July 16 and would not return until Augu |
