Current Contract:
Contract purchased from Triple-A Memphis on August 9, 2007.

Agent: Scott Boras

Became a Cardinal:
Selected in the second round (72nd overall) of the June, 1997 First-Year Player Draft. Received a $2,500,000 signing bonus.

2006 Season:
Ankiel missed the entire 2006 season after coming down with patellar tendinitis on Feb. 27 during Spring Training. He underwent surgery on his left knee in early June.

Career Notes:
Ankiel was regarded as one of the top pitching prospects in the game after the Cardinals game him a $2.5 million signing bonus as a second round draft pick in 1997. He was already a full-time starter for the Cardinals by 2000, going 11-7 with a 3.50 ERA, striking out 194 and walking 90 in 175 innings while opponents hit only .219 against him.

However, that was the last of the good news for Ankiel. Chosen to start game one of the Division Series against the Braves, he worked two innings before losing his control, retiring just two of the eight batters he faced in the third inning, throwing a major league-record five wild pitches in the frame. He made two more post-season appearances after that, but it only got worse.

It didn’t get better in 2001 either. He spent most of the season in the minors trying to find his form, and finally did after being sent all the way down to Rookie-level Johnson City in June. However, he would miss all of the 2002 season due to left elbow tendonitis and a strained flexor muscle. He began the 2003 season at Double-A Tennessee, but was sidelined with elbow discomfort in July, and underwent Tommy John surgery on his left elbow on July 16. He didn’t return until August, 2004 when he began a minor league rehab assignment. After dominating the minors, he posted a 5.40 ERA in five appearances, striking out nine and walking only one in 10 innings for the Cardinals.

Expected to be a big part of the Cardinals pitching staff in 2005, Ankiel shocked everyone, including the Cardinals, when he announced in spring training that he would give up pitching and become an outfielder. Despite fighting back problems all season, he finished the season hitting .259 with 21 home runs and 75 RBI in 85 games between Double-A Springfield and low Class A Quad Cities. However, he would go on to miss the entire 2006 season with patellar tendonitis in his left knee, requiring surgery.

Photo: MLB Photos