Ed Gustafson, Been Around - 85

Originally published Jan. 21, 2015

The first thing Texas Tech head coach Dan Spencer thought of about his new assistant Ed Gustafson, according to The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal in 2008 was that Gustafson could evaluate talent and do it well.

"The thing that he can do outside the recruiting area is he's been around the game a long time and has strengths in a lot of areas," Spencer told The Avalanche-Journal. "I'd like to think we have a bunch of guys who aren't one-dimensional."

Gustafson's time around the game included time in college, as well as the pros. In the pros, Gustafson played four seasons. He later returned to the pros as a scout.

Gustafson's career began in 1989, taken by the Giants in the 18th round of the draft out of Washington State University.

Gustafson started with the Giants at short-season Everett. In 25 outings, two starts, the right-hander went 2-6, with a 3.12 ERA. He started with a poor outing, but then got into the sixth inning in a start. In July, he threw an inning of scoreless relief.

He moved to single-A Clinton for 1990 and he pitched well. In 40 outings, one start, he posted a 1.81 ERA and he saved 12 games. He also saw two outings at high-A San Jose.

That May, a good start had Gustafson drawing praise from Giants brass, according to The Moscow-Pullman Daily News.

"All of our minor league people are really happy with the way he's progressing," Giants spokesman Matt Fischer told The Daily News. "We think he's a legitimate prospect."

Gustafson, though, couldn't keep up that success. He moved to the Twins system and high-A Visalia for 1991. His ERA increased to 4.97 splitting time between starting and relieving.

He then made AA Orlando in 1992. He went 6-12 there, with a 5.30 ERA. It was his final season as a pro.

Gustafson soon turned to coaching and scouting. He scouted for the Mariners, then served as an assistant coach for the University of Portland. He later served as an assistant coach at the University of Washington.

By 2002, Gustafson had started his new career as a scout for Arizona. He spent at least five years there, then joined Texas Tech for 2009, staying there two seasons.

• Moscow-Pullman Daily News, May 25, 1990: Climbing the ladder
• Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, July 2, 2008: Spencer completes Tech baseball staff with old friend Gustafson