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All content contained in this web site, are copyright of the league. No part of this material may be copied or reproduced without the prior written consent of the Pacific International League.
MASON TOBIN MAKES MLB DEBUT
APRIL 2, 2011 - ARLINGTON, TX: Former Everett Merchant pitcher, Mason Tobin made his major league debut last night as a member of the Texas Rangers.
Tobin was acquired by the Texas Rangers in the off-season from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for cash considerations. The Cubs had selected Tobin from the Triple-A Salt Lake roster of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim with the eighth selection in the first
round of Major League Rule 5 Draft.
Tobin was acquired by the Texas Rangers in the off-season from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for cash considerations. The Cubs had selected Tobin from the Triple-A Salt Lake roster of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim with the eighth selection in the first
round of Major League Rule 5 Draft.
"I was nervous, but not as nervous as I thought I was going to be," Tobin said. "It was good that I got that first one out of the way, I just have to learn from it and keep going."
With his appearance, he became the seventy former Everett Merchant to play in the major leagues. He was a member of Everett’s 2007 team. Currently the Merchants have three players on MLB rosters: Tobin, Jeff Francis (Kansas City Royals) and Lyle Overbay (Pittsburgh Pirates).
"Yeah, it's a dream. I'm living a dream right now and still kind of waiting to wake up I guess," Tobin said.
After a strong showing in spring training in which he appeared in 8 games and posted an 1.86 ERA, he was named to the Rangers opening day roster. As a Rule 5-Draft choice, had he not made the Rangers’ 25-man roster, he would have had to be offered back to the Angles.
Tobin, who pitched for the Merchants in 2007, did not pitch at all last season after having "Tommy John" surgery on his right elbow in the spring of 2009. In his three professional seasons from 2007-09, he has gone 6-4 with a 2.43 ERA (26 ER/96.1 IP). He was originally selected by Angles in the 16th round of the 2007 June draft out of Everett Community College. He made 3 appearances with Rancho Cucamonga in 2009 before having elbow surgery. His last professional appearance was with the Quakes on April 15, 2009 vs. Visalia.
Founded in the fall of 1992, the PIL is considered by many to be the premier Summer Collegiate Baseball league in the Northwest. Most PIL players are NCAA eligible and are unpaid in order to maintain their eligibility. The PIL is different from many other summer collegiate baseball leagues in that the league also allows former professionals and college graduates to participate.
