After a long wait including three stellar seasons at the AAA level, 2007 BC alum and member of the NWAACC championship team, Blaine Hardy finally got the call up to the major leagues on June 16 by the Detroit Tigers. Hardy has pitched twice out of the bullpen and has not given up a run yet and has three strikeouts. The Edmonds-Woodway HS grad came to Bellevue via the University of Portland and then went on to Lewis-Clark State College. Hardy, who proved he was worthy enough to pitch in the major leagues while in the Kansas City Royals organization, was logjammed behind several other young arms in the organization. After being dealt to the Tigers, Hardy again put up standout seasons at the AAA level for the Toledo Mud Hens, the AAA affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. Hardy was one of the top relief pitchers in AAA last year but did not get a call up due to the depth of left-handed relief pitching on the Tigers’ major league roster. Hardy is the second Bellevue College pitcher to make it to the major leagues this year. Evan Meek was on the opening day roster of the Baltimore Orioles. Michael Lee, who was a teammate of Hardy on the ’07 BC team, is in AA as is rising star Adrian Sampson, who pitched on the BC ’11 NWAACC Champion team. Matt Cooper, a teammate of Sampson on the ’11 team, also will embark on his pro career in the Chicago White Sox organization. Nick Kiel, who was drafted two weeks ago by the Seattle Mariners and signed professionally last Thursday, will be the sixth Bellevue College pitcher in the professional ranks this summer; more than any team in the NWAACC.
Last Updated June 19, 2014
