It always rains hardest after a few weeks of sunshine, and nobody knows that better than Mark ‘Tiger’ Kiger, 2002 Vancouver Canadians infielder and currently unemployed professional baseballer.
Kiger made history this season when he was promoted from AA Midland to the major league Oakland Athletics during the American League Championship Series, taking the spot of reliever Scott Sauerbeck who was released. Kiger subsequently came out for his MLB debut as a defensive replacement in one of the most important games of the entire big league season.
Though he didn’t face a pitch, he most definitely debuted in the grandest way, which in all likelihood led him to feel like he had some sort of future with the Oakland organization. Alas, as it turned out, his future had more in common with Scott Sauerbeck (or perhaps more accurately, Moonlight Graham) than it did with Mark Ellis…
Last week Kiger found out that he was getting released to make way for a handful of Rule 5 selections. Though Kiger can be picked up by any other team who wants him, he never killed at any level of pro ball, though the .307 avg he carried this season in AA indicates he was on a career upswing before the axe fell.
In 2002, Kiger started in the infield for the Vancouver Canadians, showing above average power and slightly below average contact. He registered a .244 avg with 5 dingers over 246 at bats, swiping a handful of bases on the process. He was recognized more as a solid defensive player than offensive threat, however, which led to his promotion to the majors when Oakland lost two starting infielders.
Kiger was one of the infamous ‘Moneyball draftees’ of 2002, and was one of the NINE draftees invited to spring training that season. He went 3-9 with a double and 3 RBIs over 8 games.
Here’s hoping another organization takes a chance on a talented guy who knows how to catch a ball.
6 users commented in " 2002 Vancouver Canadian infielder, Mark Kiger, released. "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackMark Kiger deserves an opportunity to showcase his talents, his passion for the great game of baseball. Mark Kiger is baseball at it’s best.
“Here’s hoping another organization takes a chance on a talented guy who knows how to catch a ball. Mark “Tiger” Kiger.
Word is that Kiger has signed with the New Orleans Zephers for the coming season. So he will hopefully get another chance for the bigs.
That’s pretty cool for him - the Zephyrs are the AAA team for the Mets, so if he can stick for a season, he’s got a legit shot at spending a little more time in the bigs.
Your story is incorrect. Mark was not “axed” by the A’s to make room for rule 5 players. Mark was not satisfied with the broken promises made many times to him by the Oakland A’s and the fact that the day that the 40 man roster was to be finalized, he was pulled off the roster and sent back to AA Midland again, therefore, Mark ASKED for his release to see if he could find a club that could help further his career. So he left on his own accord! and was quickly picked-up by the Mets organization.
Further more, Oakland was going to attempt to “non-tender” him so they could re-sign him and he was offered good money to return to Oakland for 2007 season. he was never unemployed. and many teams showed interest and still do to this day.
I was going to fix that up there too, Sue. You got it though. Good job.
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