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Saturday, October 7, 2023

Mike Lomeli tried to keep the ball down; Saw four pro seasons

Mike Lomeli 1990 Erie Sailors card

Saddleback College's Mike Lomeli threw a complete game for the win in this March 1984 game, The Los Angeles Times wrote.

He gave up nine hits in the effort, but eight of those were singles, The Times wrote.

"I don't strike out very many people," Lomeli told The Times afterward. "I try to keep the ball down and throw a lot of ground balls."

Lomeli eventually made it from college to the pros. His pro career lasted four seasons. He topped out at short-season.

Lomeli's pro career began in 1987, signed by the Braves as an undrafted free agent out of Chapman University. He also attended Saddleback.

With Saddleback in May 1984, Lomeli the designated hitter hit two home runs in a playoff win.

Lomeli started with the Braves at rookie Idaho Falls. He saw 23 relief outings and went 3-0, with a 3.02 ERA. 

For 1988, he stayed in Idaho, but moved to co-op Boise. He got into 31 games there and started two. He went 3-6, with a 4.19 ERA. Early that July, Lomeli was pressed into a start and threw a six-hitter in a win, The Idaho Statesman wrote.

"No, I don't think I will be elevated to a starting role; my other win was a 4.2 stint in relief and I think that's where they want me," Lomeli told The Statesman after that start. "I felt real comfortable despite the fact it was my first professional start."

Lomeli played at Boise again for 1989. He went 5-2 then, with a 2.06 ERA in 20 outings, 10 starts. He moved to co-op Erie for 1990. He went 5-3 there, with a 3.70 in 15 outings, 12 starts. That season at Erie proved his last as a pro.

Mike Lomeli 1990 Erie Sailors card

1990 Minor League Tally 
Players/Coaches Featured:4,236
Made the Majors:1,385-32.7%
Never Made Majors:2,851-67.3%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:562
10+ Seasons in the Minors:345

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