Nick Blackburn
| Full Name : | Robert Nicholas Blackburn |
| Public : | Nick Blackburn |
| Nickname : | |
| Country : | United States (USA)  |
| DOB : | February 24, 1982 (Age 28) |
| Place : | Ada, Oklahoma |
| Height : | 6' 4" |
| Weight : | 250 lbs. |
| Sport : | Baseball - MLB |
| Team : | Minnesota Twins |
| Level : | Professional |
| Status : | Very Good |
| Minnesota Twins |
|
| Starting Pitcher |
|
| Jersey # 53 |
|
| Bats : Right |
Throws : Right |
MLB Team :
Minnesota Twins (2007 - present)
College : Seminole State College
Drafted :
In 2001 , Minnesota Twins
Robert Nicholas Blackburn is a professional baseball player currently signed as a starting pitcher for the Minnesota Twins of Major League Baseball (MLB). He was born in Ada, Oklahoma on February 24, 1982.
Blackburn was originally drafted by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 2000 Amateur Entry Draft, but he did not sign. In 2001, he was drafted again by the Minnesota Twins in the 29th round. In 2002, he signed with the Twins, playing for six seasons in the Twins' minor league system.
Blackburn made his Major League debut for the Twins on September 3, 2007, pitching in 6 Major League games during the season. In 2008, he earned a starting spot for the 2008 MLB season, after posting a 3.00 ERA during spring training. On April 19, 2008, Blackburn got his first professional win against the Cleveland Indians in a shutout game.
2007 Season
Blackburn started his 2007 season with the Rochester Red Wings, where he pitched in 17 games. In those 17 games, he pitched 110.2 innings, posting a 7-3 record with 57 strikeouts and a 2.11 ERA. He was called up by the Twins in September.
He made his major league debut on September 3, 2007, in a home game against the Cleveland Indians. In his major league debut, he pitched 1 inning of perfect baseball as a relief pitcher. He went onto pitch 6 games in 2007, all as a relief pitcher. He picked up his first hold on September 10, 2007, in a road win against the Kansas City Royals. Through his first 4 games as a Twins relief pitcher, he posted a 2.70 ERA; however, he gave up 8 earned runs in his last two appearances, raising his season total ERA to 7.71.
2008 Season
Blackburn pitched 9 innings in spring training for the Minnesota Twins, posting a 3.00 ERA, earning him a starting spot on the 2008 rotation. He picked up his first major league win on April 19, 2008, in a home game against the Cleveland Indians, pitching 7.2 innings of shutout baseball.
On June 1, 2008, Blackburn was hit in the face by a line drive off the bat of New York Yankees outfielder Bobby Abreu; however, he did not miss any time. Through July 27, 2008, he had the lowest ERA for Minnesota Twins starting pitchers with a 3.69 ERA. He finished the season with an 11-11 record, an ERA of 4.05, and 96 strikeouts.
