Dave Alexander arrived at Arizona State via transfer, as a walk-on. But the reliever eventually made it into some games and he impressed, The Los Angeles Times wrote in April 1989.
He had a fastball in the low 80s, along with a hard slider, The Times wrote.
"He's been just like a dream," Brock told The Times then. "You always hope that every couple years you'll get a walk-on that contributes somehow. But Dave has something very rare. Especially the extent of his success."
Alexander soon took his success on to the pros. He played two seasons, both with independent clubs. He topped out at high-A.
Alexander's career began that year in 1989, signed by independent Salt Lake as a free agent out of Arizona State University.
With the Trappers, Alexander got into 17 games, starting one. He went 3-1, with a 6.21 ERA and one save.
He threw two perfect innings in relief in an August game, before giving up two singles in his third inning. He then took a turn batting, at least with a wiffle ball, as a game later that month got rained out.
In early August, Alexander's manager Barry Moss listed off to The Salt Lake Tribune his tired top relievers, hoping to get them some rest, including Alexander. Among them was Alexander, Moss told The Salt Lake Tribune.
"... And (Dave) Alexander has been overthrown," Moss told The Tribune as he went through his relievers, "I'd like to give him another night off."
Alexander started 1990 at high-A Miami. He went 0-2, with a 6.29 ERA over 16 relief outings.
He then returned to Salt Lake for another 15 relief outings in 1990. He went 3-0 there, with a 4.67 ERA and one save. He threw two shutout innings in early August. That season proved his last as a pro.
- Los Angeles Times, April 23, 1989: Devils
- Salt Lake Tribune, Aug. 10, 1989: This Time, Traps Frolic In 9-5 Win Over Helena
Made the Majors:1,295-33.4%
Never Made Majors:2,582-66.6%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:528
10+ Seasons in the Minors:324
More 1990 Minor Leaguers:
- Pete Alborano hit grand slam with Eugene; Played 7 seasons, 3/7/13
- Jimmy Alder crushed it at Fayetteville, made AA with Tigers, 10/22/16
- Scott Aldred returned from injury to continue bigs career, 4/11/10
- Rich Aldrete played 9 seasons, then owned baseball academy, 4/6/16
- Jay Aldrich saw 3 majors seasons, fell into numbers game, 6/6/10
- Tom Aldrich saw three pro seasons, made AAA with Tigers, 10/11/13
- Paul Alegre used karate in high school to make pros, 11/26/13
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