Brian Wood spotted his fastball, played nine pro seasons; Made AAA, not bigs

Brian Wood returned to Reno's Moana Stadium in June 1988 as a member of the opposing Riverside Red Wave, after playing with the Padres affiliate in Reno the previous year, The Reno Gazette-Journal wrote.

His return turned into a complete game, six hitter in an 11-1 win, The Gazette-Journal wrote.

"All last season, I only had one complete game at Moana," Wood told The Gazette-Journal afterward. "I was more comfortable pitching here today because I was able to spot my fastball and keep my slider on the outside corners."

Wood pitched comfortably enough that year at Riverside to make the jump to AA Wichita. He later made AAA over three seasons, but, in a career that spanned nine campaigns, he never made the majors.

Wood's career began in 1986, taken by the Padres in the second round of the January draft out of Middle Georgia State College. Wood was also credited with his middle initial, Brian S. Wood.

Wood started with the Padres at short-season Spokane. He saw 24 games, all in relief, saved five and ended with a 3.80 ERA.

Late that August, Wood put together a scoreless streak that extended to 20.2 innings, extending it a day after his team was eliminated from the playoff hunt, according to The Spokane Spokesman-Review.

"It was pretty noticeable," Wood told The Spokesman-Review of the letdown after the elimination. "Losing a close game like yesterday makes you lose some intensity, because it put us out of it pretty much. Today definitely did."

Wood then made single-A Reno for 1987 and Wichita for half of 1988. He returned to Wichita for part of each year through 1992.

In 1991, he got his first look at AAA, 47 outings, six starts at Las Vegas. He went 3-8, with a 5.74 ERA and two saves. He returned for seven more outings in 1992, before going mid-season to the Orioles system and AA Hagerstown.

He saw 30 games in 1993 at AAA Rochester. He went 1-2, with a 2.70 ERA. He isn't credited as pitching in 1994 or 1995. In 1996, he made a brief return at independent Newburgh, 31 outings, one start. He went 3-0, with a 1.86 ERA to end his career.

• Spokane Spokesman-Review, Aug. 26, 1986: Bellingham finds Little relief enough to stop Tribe, 4-3
• Reno Gazette-Journal, June 6, 1988: Wood pitches Red Wave past Silver Sox

1990 Minor League Tally
Players/Coaches Featured:3,497
Made the Majors:1,219-34.9%
Never Made Majors:2,278-65.1%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:506
10+ Seasons in the Minors:299