Rich Slomkowski tried new delivery after slow start; Saw three pro seasons, made high-A

Rich Slomkowski had limited success in is first pro season at rookie Bluefield, so he worked to try something different - change his delivery, he told The Waterloo Courier in April 1989.

He came into the 1989 season at single-A Waterloo with an underhand delivery and a sinker ball, both he'd learned working with coaches in the offseason, The Courier wrote.

"The adjustment came a little easier than I thought it would," Slomkowski told The Courier.

Slomkowski made that change in his second pro season. The change, however, couldn't extend his career much further. He played in just one more. 

Slomkowski's career began in 1988, signed by the Orioles as an undrafted free agent out of his native Fairport, NY. Slomkowski was also credited as Rick Slomkowski.

Slomkowski started with the Orioles with rookie Bluefield. He went 206 over 13 outings, nine starts. He ended with a 5.26 ERA.

He moved to co-op single-A Waterloo for 1989. He went 3-4 there, with a 4.54 ERA in 43 outings, two starts.

For 1990, he started at high-A Frederick. He saw 26 relief outings and ended with a 6.00 ERA. He then finished out the year at single-A Burlington with the Braves. In five relief outings, he picked up a win and ended with a 5.56 ERA to end his career.

• Waterloo Courier, April 16, 1989: Diamonds win first at home, Part 2

More: The 1990 Frederick Keys

1990 Minor League Tally 

Players/Coaches Featured:4,122
Made the Majors:1,365-33.1%
Never Made Majors:2,757-66.9%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:556
10+ Seasons in the Minors:336