Sean Doolittle was a big baseball star at the University of Virginia between 2005-2007. When Doolittle left UVA five years ago, the left handed pitcher was the school's all-time wins leader. He was selected in the first round of the Major League Baseball Draft by the Oakland A's. After years in the minors he has burst onto the big league stage this year.
Doolittle is living the dream of being a major league baseball player. On an evening before a game against the Baltimore Orioles, Sean Doolittle signs dozens of autographs. The 25-year old year old has been one of the biggest surprises this season for A's. Doolittle has become a key relief pitcher out of the bullpen. He has pitched in 18 games this season, usually coming in for just an inning in middle relief. He's been efficient with 31 strikeouts in just 22 innings.
Doolittle says, " That's been the thing, to get ahead, throw strikes, and go out there and see what happens and so far I've been pretty fortunate that I've done pretty well."
At UVA, Doolittle was a duel threat. As a pitcher he had a 22-7 record with a 2.23 ERA but he was also an outstanding hitter. Doolittle was the ACC player of the year in 2006. He still ranks second on UVa's all-time RBI list. Doolittle was drafted by Oakland to be a first baseman, but a pair of knee injuries kept him out for most of two seasons in the minors and just as he was set to return last summer, he suffered a wrist injury. Unable to hit, Doolittle began throwing in the bullpen and decided to switch positions.
Just last summer, Doolittle threw his first pitch as a professional. He made the full-time switch to pitcher this year, starting the season in the minors. Two months later he made his big league debut. His fast ball is now timed at 97 miles per hour.
Doolittle says, "I think that's a product of the long-toss program I was on, and a product of getting bigger and stronger overall and I'm sure the four years off let me should become stronger."
A year ago, Doolittle never could have imagined he'd be in this position.
"Not at all, I don't think I had even begun throwing to hitters yet last summer, and it wasn't something I did so I could get to the big leagues. I was just trying to extend my career and here I am.
The A's pitching coach, Curt Young says, " He has a very special fastball, and he can spot it, its not just down the middle he's in and out and real good instincts for pitching, a real good feel for throwing a baseball and he's earned the right to be here"
How much fun are you having?
Doolittle adds, " Its amazing, its so much fun."
