Sean O'Sullivan

December 7, 2016

O'Sullivan made his major league debut against the San Francisco Giants on June 16, 2009, at AT&T Park, making a spot-start in replacement of the injured Ervin Santana. He won his debut after pitching seven innings, giving up one run on five hits and one walk, and striking out five. After the game, he was optioned back to the Salt Lake Bees of the Pacific Coast League. When Santana was not able to make his next scheduled start on June 23, 2009 and was placed on the 15-day disabled list, O'Sullivan was recalled to the Angels for a second start in which he pitched five plus innings allowing three runs.

After being reassigned to the AAA level, on July 28, 2009, O'Sullivan pitched a no-hitter for the Bees against the Sacramento River Cats. The only baserunner he allowed was via a walk.

Kansas City Royals

On July 22, 2010 he and Will Smith were traded to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for Alberto Callaspo.

In April 2012, O'Sullivan failed to make the major league roster and was placed on waivers by the Kansas City Royals. No other major league club acquired his contract and he was subsequently assigned outright to the Royals' AAA farm team, the Omaha Storm Chasers.

Toronto Blue Jays

On June 21, 2012, O'Sullivan was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays for cash considerations and assigned to AAA, but was released at the end of the season.

San Diego Padres

O'Sullivan signed a minor league deal with the San Diego Padres in December 2012, and was called up for a few starts during the season. He also served for a short time in the bullpen. He was designated for assignment on August 19, 2013, and ultimately reassigned to the Triple-A Tucson Padres. O'Sullivan finished the 2013 season 0-3 with an earned run average of 3.96. He declared free agency on October 4.

Philadelphia Phillies

On December 18, 2013, the Philadelphia Phillies announced that they had signed him to a minor league contract that included a spring training invitation. His contract was selected from the Lehigh Valley IronPigs on June 28 to start the second game of a doubleheader, and he was designated for assignment on June 29. He was called back up on August 7. He was once again designated for assignment on August 10 to create a roster spot for pitcher Jerome Williams. He was promoted again in September. He was outrighted off the roster on October 6.

Boston Red Sox

On December 13, 2015, O'Sullivan signed a minor league deal with the Boston Red Sox. During his Red Sox debut, he pitched one inning, and had a 9.00 ERA. On May 10, 2016, O'Sullivan had his first Red Sox start, which he won pitching six innings and giving up four earned runs in a 13-5 Red Sox victory. He gave up 6 earned runs in 4.1 innings pitched against Houston in 1 10-9 Red Sox victory, but he was designated for assignment by the team that day.

Nexen Heroes

On November 24, 2016, O'Sullivan signed a one-year, $1.1 million contract with the Nexen Heroes of the KBO League.

Squeeze play

After rejecting the Angels' offer, Sean O'Sullivan tries to improve his bargaining position by playing baseball at Grossmont College

By Bill Dickens
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

March 26, 2006

Sean O'Sullivan realized he was taking a chance. He knew his friends would question his sanity. Yet he's still convinced that turning down a $500,000 signing bonus offered by the Los Angeles Angels last summer was in his best interest.

No question O'Sullivan's situation is unusual, but he's a pitcher-third baseman with a plan. Instead of accepting the Angels' offer as a third-round pick in the 2005 amateur draft, the Valhalla High graduate elected to enroll at Grossmont College.

Community college alumni

Baseball players drafted out of high school have four options. They can sign a pro contract, attend a four-year university, go to a community college or give up the game. Most high-profile players drafted in the early rounds sign. There are exceptions, such as Valhalla High's Sean O'Sullivan, who turned down $500,000 as a third-round pick of the Los Angeles Angels in 2005. He's now playing community college baseball at Grossmont. Those who attend a four-year university aren't eligible for the draft for another three years. Those who attend a community college are eligible the following year. Here are some players who tried to improve their bargaining position by attending a community college:

GERALD LAIRD, catcher: Selected in the second round of the 1998 draft by Oakland out of Westminster La Quinta High. Offered $750,000 but opted to play at Cypress Community College. Signed with the A's after his freshman season at Cypress for $1.75 million and later was traded to Texas.

BRYAN MORRIS, pitcher: Selected in the third round by Tampa Bay out of Tullahoma (Tenn.) High in 2005. Enrolled at Motlow State Community College in nearby Lynchburg. His father, Ricky, who played professionally, is an assistant coach at Motlow and wanted his son to play for him for at least one season.

STEPHEN MAREK, pitcher: An unknown quantity from Sealy, Texas, Marek was selected in the 40th round of the 2004 draft. He chose to attend San Jacinto College in Houston and helped lead the Gators to a national runner-up finish. Marek signed with the Angels for $800,000 in May 2005.

SCOTT ROBINSON, first baseman:Drafted in the seventh round by Houston out of Rancho Bernardo High in 2002. The Astros' first offer was $90,000, but that was yanked off the table two weeks later when Houston management feared a players strike. Like O'Sullivan, Robinson originally signed with SDSU but opted for community college, enrolling at Palomar. After one season with the Comets, Robinson signed with the Astros for $285,000.

MARCUS GILES, second baseman: Completely ignored despite impressive offensive numbers at Granite Hills High (1993-96), Giles attended Grossmont and led California community colleges in hitting in 1997. Still, only the Braves, with an almost afterthought pick (53rd round in 1997), were able to lure Giles into accepting a $40,000 signing bonus. A National League All-Star, Giles now makes an annual salary of $3.85 million.

– BILL DICKENS

"A drafted kid might opt to go to a JC knowing he can go back into the draft if things don't work out with one club," said John Boggs, an unpaid adviser to O'Sullivan and his family. "It's all about signability. Is it better for you to go to a JC or a four-year college? There are no hard facts. It's case-by-case. There's always a risk. Sometimes it works against you."

In O'Sullivan's case, the Angels have until 72 hours before the 2006 draft to sign the hard-throwing right-hander. Other clubs, such as Atlanta and Arizona, have hinted they might draft O'Sullivan should the Angels relinquish their rights.

Though he runs the risk of injury or diminished performance, the 6-foot-2, 220-pounder hardly considers himself a daredevil.

"I'm happy to be where I am," O'Sullivan said. "I came into this season in a lot better shape, and I think that's beneficial."

In early February, O'Sullivan turned in a sparkling outing in Grossmont's 2-0 victory over state power Cypress.

"There were about 20 scouts, three national cross-checkers and one scouting director at the game," said Grossmont coach Randy Abshier. "I think Sean made some money that night."

Angels scouting director Eddie Bane was on hand to watch O'Sullivan pitch the complete-game three-hitter that included eight strikeouts and one walk.

"The scouts stayed for the whole game," Abshier said. "That is unusual."

The pitcher's father, Paul O'Sullivan, usually low key, was also amazed by his son's performance.

"That's the best I've ever seen him throw," the elder O'Sullivan said.

The early-season shutout represented an upswing for O'Sullivan, who had been criticized his senior year at Valhalla for being overweight, lacking a work ethic and losing velocity on his fastball.

O'Sullivan has been an elite player for his age group ever since Baseball America magazine recognized him as the nation's best 12-year-old in 2000. According to Baseball America's 2005 predraft evaluation, O'Sullivan "picked the wrong year to have a slump" after being projected at the start of the year to be the first high school pitcher drafted.

Some might say O'Sullivan did not compile statistics worthy of his ranking. Yet his 7-1 record, 2.73 ERA and 93 strikeouts in 64 innings – bolstered by a .396 batting average, 14 home runs and 47 RBI – cannot be ignored.

"I'm here at Grossmont to help lead them to a state championship," O'Sullivan said.

Despite his loyalty to the Griffins, O'Sullivan cannot help but look to his future as a professional ballplayer.

"I'm developing both aspects of my game (hitting and pitching) and hope what is natural takes place," O'Sullivan said. "If there is a big game, I want Sean O'Sullivan on the mound. I don't have to be spectacular, but (scouts) know what I can do. They want to see the fastball and the velocity is there. I'm throwing as good as I ever have right now."

Another difference between O'Sullivan in high school and now at Grossmont College is work ethic. So say the big league scouts who have followed him the past couple of years.

"He stepped up in proving himself as a team ballplayer," Abshier said. "The best thing about him is he doesn't big league the other kids. He says he wants to win it for Grossmont College, and that's good for all of us."

On draft day last year the Braves offered O'Sullivan $475,000 via telephone to sign as a second-round pick. He turned it down. The Angels selected him in the third round – the 103rd pick overall – and their best offer was only $25,000 higher. Thus, the stalemate.

O'Sullivan was stunned, taking it personally when he wasn't chosen until the third round. His pride was damaged. At that instant he vowed to prove the experts wrong.

Those close to the situation believe O'Sullivan has enhanced his appeal in seven starts at Grossmont College. His 1.20 ERA, 36 strikeouts and 3-3 record in 45 innings are among the best in the Pacific Coast Conference.

Not that the Angels care all that much about statistics. Numbers that pro scouts live for are measured by the radar gun. O'Sullivan, who also has shown the ability to become a corner infielder (35-for-93, .376 batting average, five homers and 22 RBI), is delivering his pitches consistently in the 91 mph range. Some scouts say he's hit 94 mph.

"They know what I can do," O'Sullivan said. "It's up to them to decide what that is worth."