DURHAM, NC – Jared Mortensen (pictured), a true rookie at the age of 25, is about to get his shot with a major league organization after beginning his first professional season with Grand Prairie this year. The Tampa Bay Rays purchased Mortensen’s contract from the AirHogs this morning, the day after his 15th and final American Association start.
Last night, Mortensen settled for a no-decision after 5.1 strong innings, in which he only surrendered four hits. After a pair of second-inning runs, the right-hander calmed down and made seemingly easy work of the Amarillo Sox. Mortensen only allowed two baserunners on an error and a walk after that second inning. He struck out four batters in the game and put the AirHogs in a position to win the game, which they did in 10 innings.
Though Mortensen will leave Grand Prairie with a losing record at 4-6, he has been tough on hitters over 100.1 innings. The LSU-Shreveport product owns a 3.76 ERA with 94 strikeouts and 25 walks. Mortensen reached or surpassed the seven-inning mark eight times in 2013, including a complete game shutout in the back end of a doubleheader at Sioux Falls on June 27. Those numbers caught the Rays’ attention, as they are expected to send Mortensen to their High-A affiliate, the Charlotte Stone Crabs of the Florida State League.
