Josh Geer made his major league debut with the San Diego Padres last year two days before the expansion of the maximum roster size to 40 players.

Now the former Lake Elsinore Storm pitcher is with the Padres during the 25-man roster period.

"Feels good being back with everybody," Geer said. "It feels real good being here. I feel real comfortable here. Ready to keep it going."

Although Geer started the season with the Padres’ Class AAA affiliate in Portland, he received the call-up to the big league team April 19 after pitcher Walter Silva was placed on the disabled list with a strained forearm.

That gave Geer his debut on a 25-man roster. "It’s a little bit different," he said.

Geer grew up in the Dallas area, so his favorite team as a child was the Texas Rangers and his favorite pitcher was Nolan Ryan.

"I guess you can say he inspired me to become a pitcher," Geer said of Ryan. "I love having control of the game."

Geer was also a shortstop and third baseman at Forney High School. He continued playing all three positions at Navarro Junior College before focusing on pitching at Rice University.

Geer sees his past infield play as a benefit. "It helps me, I guess, field my position a little bit better as a pitcher," he said.

While at Navarro Junior College, Geer earned conference Most Valuable Player honors in 2003 after posting a 1.78 earned run average.

The Padres selected Geer in the third round of the 2005 draft, and he spent the rest of the year with the organization’s Eugene and Fort Wayne affiliates.

Geer split 2006 between Fort Wayne and Lake Elsinore and led Padres minor league pitchers in wins with an overall 13-6 record in 26 starts and a relief appearance.

In 15 starts with the Storm he complied a 7-4 record with a 4.96 earned run average. His 89 innings with Lake Elsinore saw him allow 116 hits and 13 walks while striking out 56 opponents.

"I loved it there," Geer said of Lake Elsinore. "I loved the logo that we had, the Storm eyes."

Lake Elsinore initially affiliated with the Padres for the 2001 season. The pitching coach that year was Darren Balsley, who didn’t coach Geer at Lake Elsinore but who is now the Padres’ pitching coach.

"Having Darren here is also a big key. He’s a great pitching coach, knows what he’s talking about," Geer said. "He knows the game."

Geer was 6-2 with Fort Wayne in 2006 before being promoted to Lake Elsinore.

Geer’s 26 starts with San Antonio in 2007 produced a 16-6 record and a 3.20 earned run average, leading the Texas League in both wins and ERA.

He struck out 102 batters in 171 1/3 innings while walking only 27 and Advertisement
surrendering 163 hits.

Geer also had one start with Portland in 2007, allowing two runs in six innings and receiving the win. During the season he held opposing batters to a .252 average.

He was named both the Texas League Pitcher of the Year and the Padres’ Minor League Pitcher of the Year.

His Texas League regular-season statistics do not include two playoff starts, in which his 14 innings produced a 3.21 ERA, ten strikeouts, and no walks allowed. Geer was 1-0 in the playoffs.

Geer, who has not thrown a no-hitter at any level, considers his selection as Texas League Pitcher of the Year and Padres’ Minor League Pitcher of the Year to be his career highlight prior to reaching the majors.

Geer attended Spring Training in 2008 as a non-roster invitee and traveled with the Padres to China for a two-game exhibition series with the Dodgers.

The first game ended in a tie and Geer earned the win with two scoreless innings in the second game, making him the first pitcher to win a game in China for a Major League Baseball team.

Geer spent most of 2008 with Portland and led the Pacific Coast League with 166 2/3 innings pitched. Although he was 8-9 with a 4.54 ERA in 27 starts and a relief outing, he struck out 107 batters while walking 45.

On August 29 the Padres purchased his contract from Portland, and on August 30 he made his major league debut as a starter, earning the win after allowing two runs in five innings.

That game also saw Geer draw a bases-loaded walk for his first major league run batted in, and he later scored his first major league run that inning.

"I’m excited to work my way up," he said.

Geer’s three Petco Park starts in 2008 produced a 2-0 record and a 2.65 ERA. "You’ve got to love having this home park," he said.

Geer’s five starts for San Diego produced a 2-1 record and a 2.67 ERA in 27 innings.

In each of his starts he threw at least five innings and allowed no more than two runs. He struck out 16 opponents while walking nine and allowing 29 hits.

Geer began 2009 with Portland and had two starts for the Beavers, compiling a 3.60 ERA and a 1-1 record before being called up to the Padres.

Geer notes that quality starts are the key to staying on the major league 25-man roster.

"Just giving us a chance to win each outing," he said. "Hopefully I can get some innings and do that."

Geer’s short-term goals with the Padres are lasting five to seven innings each start. "I want to make some quality starts for the team and show that I can keep us in games," he said.

Be the first to share your opinion on this article!