DURHAM, NC – The Saltdogs had just named RHP Eddie McKiernan (pictured) as a starter last week, after the Atlanta Braves purchased the contract of Joe Bisenius. Two starts and one Pointstreak Pitcher of the Week award later, McKiernan had his contract purchased by the Arizona Diamondbacks.
McKiernan won his first two starts of the season against Sioux City and Winnipeg, allowing just two earned runs in 13 total innings. The right-hander struck out 10 batters and only surrendered eight hits en route to earning the latest Pointstreak Pitcher of the Week award. He is now the second consecutive hurler to win the Pitcher of the Week award and have his contract purchased by a major league organization in the same week. Lefty Cole Nelson won the award last week for St. Paul and was promptly tabbed by the Braves.
McKiernan came out of the bullpen for Lincoln before the Saltdogs began using him as a starter. He pitched 21.2 innings as a reliever with an ERA of 2.91. All-in-all, McKiernan held a 6-1 record and a 2.34 ERA in 2013.
This will be the second time that McKiernan will play affiliated baseball. He was drafted in the 17th round of the 2007 MLB June Amateur Draft by the Los Angeles Angels. The righty pitched for six seasons in the Angels’ organization, reaching Triple-A in 2012.
Arizona purchased McKiernan’s contract earlier today. The Diamondbacks will send the right-hander to High-A Visalia in the California League.
