Brian Bixler

Infobox MLB player
name = Brian Bixler


width = 150
caption =
team = Pittsburgh Pirates
number = 10
position = Shortstop
birthdate = birth date and age|1982|10|22
birthplace = city-state|Sandusky|Ohio
bats = Right
throws = Right
debutdate = April 6
debutyear = 2008
debutteam = Pittsburgh Pirates
statyear = 2008
stat1label = Batting average
stat1value = .157
stat2label = Home runs
stat2value = 0
stat3label = Runs batted in
stat3value = 2
teams =
*Pittsburgh Pirates (by|2008-present)

Brian Joseph Bixler (born October 22, 1982 in city-state|Sandusky|Ohio) is a Major League Baseball shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

College career

Bixler attended college at Eastern Michigan. Bixler also played in the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League for the Delaware Cows.

Professional career

Bixler was Pittsburgh's second-round pick in the 2004 Major League Baseball Draft. He spent his first full profession season with the Low-A Hickory Crawdads. In by|2006, Bixler played for both the High-A Lynchburg Hillcats and the Double-A Altoona Curve. He was invited to spring training by the Pirates in by|2007, batting an impressive .359 with a .970 OPS. [http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/stats/sortable_player_stats.jsp?c_id=pit&baseballScope=PT1&teamPosCode=all&statType=Overview&timeSubFrame=23&sitSplit=&venueID=&Submit=Submit&timeFrame=1] In 2007, Bixler played for the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians, and was named the team's most valuable player. On November 20, 2007, the Pirates purchased his contract, protecting Bixler from the Rule 5 Draft.

2008

Bixler did not make the Pirates opening day roster in mlby|2008, but soon received a call up on April 6 when Jack Wilson was placed on the disabled list. [cite news |last=Langosch |first=Jenifer |title=Bucs place Wilson on the 15-day DL |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080406&content_id=2497562&vkey=news_pit&fext=.jsp&c_id=pit |work=MLB.com |date=2008-04-06 |accessdate=2008-04-07 ] That same day, Bixler made his major league debut against the Florida Marlins as a pinch hitter and struck out in his only at bat of the day.

He spent the majority of the season in Indianapolis, but made several short apperances for the Pirates. On September 2, he was recalled again when the rosters expanded.

References

External links