| Mike Belfiore | |
|---|---|
 Belfiore with the Baltimore Orioles | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1988-10-03)October 3, 1988 (age 37) Commack, New York, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| September 27, 2013, for the Baltimore Orioles | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 27, 2013, for the Baltimore Orioles | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 0–0 |
| Earned run average | 13.50 |
| Strikeouts | 0 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Michael John Belfiore (born October 3, 1988) is an American former professionalbaseballpitcher. He played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theBaltimore Orioles in 2013.
Belfiore attendedBoston College where he was afirst baseman and apitcher. After being drafted by theArizona Diamondbacks in the2009 Major League Baseball draft, Belfiore became a full-time pitcher. Belfiore has played professionally with theMissoula Osprey (2009), and theSouth Bend Silver Hawks (2010). He was aPioneer League All-Star in 2009. He stands at 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m) and weighs 220 pounds (100 kg). Belfiore bats right-handed, while throwing left.
Belfiore attendedCommack High School, where he playedfirst base,outfield, andpitcher as a member of the school's baseball team.[1] During hissenior season in 2006, Belfiore won the Section XI LeagueMost Valuable Player award; the Gibson Award, an award given to the best pitcher inSuffolk County; was named to All-Long Island team; was a first-team All-State All-League and All-County selection; and won the Commack High School Most Outstanding Athlete award.[1] He was also a Suffolk County Hall of Fame inductee in 2006.[1] He started all four of his years on the school's baseball team.[2]
He was perhaps best known in high school for his epic showdown with pitcher Jesse Katz, of Northport High School.
After high school, Belfiore enrolled atBoston College. During hisfreshman year, as a member of theBoston College Eagles baseball team, Belfiorebatted .297 with eightdoubles, onetriple, threehome runs, and 22runs batted in (RBIs) in 49games played as a first baseman anddesignated hitter.[1][3] As a pitcher, Belfiore compiled a 0–2record with a 10.45earned run average (ERA), onesave, and fivestrikeouts in seven games, onestart.
During hissophomore season at Boston College, Belfiore batted .274 with 10 doubles, two home runs, and 26 RBIs as a position player.[3] As a pitcher, he went 2–0 with a 2.45 ERA, eight saves, and 19 strikeouts in 18 games.[3] In 2008, he playedcollegiate summer baseball in theCape Cod Baseball League for theYarmouth-Dennis Red Sox.[4][5]
In hisjunior year, Belfiore batted .273 with 17 doubles, one triple, 11 home runs, and 62 RBIs at the plate.[3] He went 5–1 with a 2.05 ERA, nine saves, and 59 strikeouts on the mound.[3] After the season, he was anAmerican Baseball Coaches AssociationAll-American Second-Team selection.[2] He was also named theNational Collegiate Baseball Writers Association District I Player of the Year.[2][6] During the2009 Major League Baseball draft, theArizona Diamondbacks selected Belfiore with the 45th pick in the first round.[7][8][9] He was one of five players selected by theDiamondbacks in the first-round during the 2009 draft.[10] At the time, it was commented that Belfiore would be used as a pitcher inprofessional baseball.[11]
Belfiore made his professional baseball debut in 2009 with therookie-levelMissoula Osprey of thePioneer League.[12] On the subject of pitching in professional baseball, Belfiore said, "In college I just threwfastballs and aslider and blew guys away...You have to use yourchangeup and understand hitters counts [at this level]".[2] He was a league all-star that season.[3] With Missoula, he went 2–2 with a 2.17 ERA, and 55 strikeouts in 14 games, 11 starts. At the start of the 2010 season, Belfiore was assigned to play with theSouth Bend Silver Hawks of theSingle-AMidwest League. On the season, he compiled a 3–10 record with a 3.99 ERA, and 105 strikeouts in 25 games, all starts.
Belfiore made 35 appearances (eight starts) for the High-AVisalia Rawhide during the 2011 campaign, logging a 4-4 record and 5.92 ERA with 79 strikeouts over 79 innings of work; he returned to Visalia to begin 2012, recording a 2.37 ERA with 28 strikeouts in 12 games.
Belfiore was traded to theBaltimore Orioles as theplayer to be named later in the April trade that sentJosh Bell to Arizona on May 12, 2012.[13] In 28 appearances down the stretch for the Double-ABowie Baysox, he compiled a 5-1 record and 2.71 ERA with 78 strikeouts and threesaves across66+1⁄3 innings pitched.
Belfiore was recalled by the Orioles from the Triple-ANorfolk Tides on May 12, 2013,[13] and returned to Norfolk the next day.[14] Belfiore was recalled again on September 21, and made his major league debut on September 27. Pitching to his first batter, he allowed ahome run toDavid Ortiz.[15]
Belfiore wasdesignated for assignment by the Orioles on March 30, 2014.[16]
On April 3, 2014, theDetroit Tigers claimed Belfiore off waivers and assigned him to the Triple-AToledo Mud Hens.[17] He made 35 appearances (13 starts) for the Triple-AToledo Mud Hens, posting a 5-7 record and 3.25 ERA with 60 strikeouts across91+1⁄3 innings pitched.
Belfiore returned to Toledo for the 2015 season, logging a 5-11 record and 5.60 ERA with 77 strikeouts over 22 starts. Belfiore was released by Detroit on August 15, 2015, to clear roster space forKyle Lobstein, who had been sent to the Mud Hens on a rehab assignment.[18]
On August 19, 2015, Belfiore signed a minor league contract with theBaltimore Orioles. He finished the year with the Triple-ANorfolk Tides, recording a 2.31 ERA with five strikeouts in11+2⁄3 innings pitched across three starts. Belfiore elected free agency following the season on November 6.[19]
Belfiore was born inCommack, New York. He is the middle child of Michael and Patricia Belfiore.[1]
· Baseball Almanac