Former Mets Pitcher: Brian Stokes (2009-2010)

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Brian Alexander Stokes was born on September 7, 1979 in Pomona, California. The six foot one right handed pitcher was signed by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 1998 out of Riverside Community College.

He toiled at the A ball level for five seasons before leading his Bakersfield team in wins (10) in 2002.

The next season he fell to 2-5 & had arm troubles. He then needier Tommy John surgery missing the next year and a half of action. Stokes successfully returned in 2006 going 7-7 at AAA Durham. He got the September call up to the Rays big league team, debuting in a game against the Seattle Mariners. On September 24th He earned his first career victory against the AL New York club in a start at Tampa. He pitched into the sixth, allowing three runs on seven hits .

In 2007 he pitched in 59 games out of the Rays bullpen posting a 2-7 record with a 7.07 ERA. In November his contract was purchased by the New York Mets. At the end of Spring Training he was designated for assignment & found himself pitching at AAA New Orleans with the Zephyrs. He was 10-8 there, posting a 4.48 ERA being used mostly as a starter.

In early August he was called up to the Mets staff to replace the injured John Maine. Stokes made his Mets debut on August 9th against the Florida Marlins, going 5.2 innings allowing four runs on seven hits. In his second game, he earned a save against the Washington Nationals pitching four relief innings. On August 27th he earned his first Mets win at Philadelphia pitching one inning as the Mets won it with a big three run 8th inning. Stokes would make 24 appearances for the Mets posting a 1-0 record with 26 strike outs in 33 innings pitched & a 3.51 ERA.

He made the club again in 2009 and started at the year with an April 13th loss to the San Diego Padres. On a West Coast May road trip, he got credited for a hold in San Francisco & then a win the next day. He benefited when Ryan Church reached on an error scoring Gary Sheffield & then an Omir Santos sac fly. In June he had a horrible outing against the A.L. New York club, allowing four runs on six hits over two innings pitched.

On the season he made 69 appearances for the 70-92 fourth place Mets, going 2-4 with eleven holds. He posted a 3.69 ERA, striking out 45 batters in 70 innings pitched while walking 38.

In January 2010 he was traded to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for Gary Matthews Jr. He only appeared in 16 games there & later signed with the Toronto Blue Jays. In February of 2011 he had his contract voided due to results of a physical. On August 1st 2011 he signed a deal with the Arizona D-backs but was granted free agency in November.

In his five year career Stokes is 6-11 with one save, he posted 137 strike outs with 96 walks in 206 innings pitched with a 5.27 ERA in 173 appearances.

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