By Tom Price Jr.
During the Major League Baseball offseason, former Exeter Monarch Adam Pettyjohn found himself healthy for the first time in two years, but without a team to play for.
That didn't last long however, as the San Francisco Giants made him an offer that the former Fresno State standout couldn't refuse. They offered an opportunity to compete for a spot on the big league roster, and if that doesn't workout he will start the season in Triple-A, with the Fresno Grizzlies.
"When I first got the offer I thought it was too good to be true,"Pettyjohn said. "Obviously my goal is to make the big league club, but if I don't it would be disappointing at worst. Even pitching in Fresno and being home is wonderful."
Pettyjohn, who made his first starts since recovering from ulcerative colitis in Double-A last year in the Detroit Tigers organization, says he is feeling near full strength.
The thought of Pettyjohn at full strength is what attracted the Giants in the first place. They saw in him a guy who was young with big league experience.
"We think he has a chance to compete at the Major League camp," Bobby Evans, Director of Minor League Administration for the San Francisco Giants said. "He has good size and good sink on his stuff. He could be a great catch for the Giants."
Pettyjohn pitched in 19 games last year for the Double-A Erie SeaWolves and had a record of 1-4 and an ERA of 4.0. He finished with 49 strikeouts and just 18 walks. In 2001 Pettyjohn made his Major League debut with the Detroit Tigers. He was 1-6 with nine starts and 16 games played.
"It was easy to make the decision," said Pettyjohn, who had other offers. "So far things with the Giants have been real good. I have met some of the big league guys at the conditioning camp, so it will be nice going to Spring Training already knowing somebody."
