Steve Wapnick

Infobox MLB retired
bgcolor1=darkblue
bgcolor2=maroon
textcolor1=white
textcolor2=white
name=Steve Wapnick
position=Pitcher
bats=Right
throws=Right
birthdate=birth date and age|1965|9|25|
debutdate=April 14
debutyear=by|1990
debutteam=Detroit Tigers
finaldate=October 4
finalyear=by|1991
finalteam=Chicago White Sox
stat1label=ERA
stat1value=4.50
stat2label=Record
stat2value=0-1
stat3label=Strikeouts
stat3value=7
teams=
*Detroit Tigers (1990)
*Chicago White Sox (1991)
highlights=
*none

Steven Lee "Steve" Wapnick (born September 25, 1965, in Panorama City, California) is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He played for the Detroit Tigers and the Chicago White Sox. He held batters to a .222 batting average, holding righties to a .115 batting average.

Wapnick attended Monroe High School in Sepulveda, California. He then attended Fresno State University, where he pitched for the Bulldogs, and he threw and batted right handed.

Amateur draft

Wapnick, who was 6'2" and 200 pounds, was drafted three times.

He ended up signing with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Major League career

On December 4, 1989, Wapnick was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the Rule 5 Draft.

His first Major League game was April 14, 1990. He was 24.

In 1990, he appeared in 4 games for the Tigers and had an ERA of 6.43.

On May 1, 1990, Wapnick was returned to the Toronto Blue Jays.

On September 4, 1991, Wapnick was sent to the Chicago White Sox as the 'player to be named later' in a deal that involved Shawn Jeter and he to be sent to the Sox for outfielder Cory Snyder.

In 1991, he appeared in 4 games for the White Sox. He had an ERA of 1.80.

He was known as a power pitcher, with his fastball being clocked consistently at 94 MPH.

He played his last game on October 4, 1991.

He injured his arm in 1992 during spring training, which was the beginning of the end for his career.

Overall, in 12 career innings of work over 10 games, during 2 seasons, he walked 14 and struck out 7.

Other information

*Wapnick was one of two Jewish baseball players to make his Major League debut in 1990. The other was Scott Radinsky.
*In 1991, Wapnick signed his first split contract.
*Wapnick wore two numbers in his career - 43 and 51.
*Wapnick currently resides in Fort Collins, Colorado.
*Wapnick coached at Clovis High School and Sierra High School, and also coached a Junior USA baseball team. He now coaches youth sports in Fort Collins. [http://www.fortcollinsbaseballclub.org/CompTeamDetails.aspx?TeamID=135]
*Wapnick is married with two sons. His oldest son plays baseball and basketball for his high school.
*Wapnick is now a pharmaceutical sales representative. [http://72.14.209.104/search?q=cache:8co6uR-5LGcJ:libertysports.proboards29.com/index.cgi%3Fboard%3DOther%26action%3Ddisplay%26thread%3D1137099079+%22steve+wapnick%22+%22fresno+state%22&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=24]

ee also

* Chicago White Sox all-time roster

External links

*baseball-reference|id=w/wapnist01
* [http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/W/Steve-Wapnick.shtml Baseball Cube stats]
* [http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=1013601&position=P Fangraph stats]
* [http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Steve_Wapnick BR Bullpen profile]
* [http://www.baseballprospectus.com/dt/wapnist01.php Baseball Prospectus entry]