Fruitvale’s Chris Kissock was released Friday by the Philadelphia Phillies.
It was a disappointing start to the season for the Fruitvale native, especially after finishing up last season on such a high note.
Kissock was an integral part of Team Canada’s incredible run, winning a gold medal at the Pan Am Games and a bronze at the IBAF World Cup.
The lanky right hander shut down Team Mexico in the late innings of the semifinal to advance to the final against the U.S. in the Pan Ams.
Kissock spent four years in the Phillies organization, with most of his time spent with the ‘AA’ Reading Phillies.
At the start of this year the former Trail Smoke Eater drastically changed his delivery and became a submarine pitcher at the suggestion of his coaches.
“This is a new year for me,” Kissock told the Canadian Baseball network in late June. “I threw overhand and this year they decided to drop me down to be a sidearm pitcher. I’ve never done it in my life before.”
It was a major tinker with his mechanics, and going from an over-the-top thrower to a sidearm delivery with the new slot between his hip and his knee was risky, admitted Kissock. It resulted in an intercostal rib injury that sidelined him for six weeks.
In the end, the move to the sidearm and extended stint on the disabled list, the first of his career, didn’t help Kissock physically or mentally. The reliever came back from injury with the ‘A-plus’ Clearwater Threshers where he pitched in 11 games.
In 14 innings on the mound Kissock gave up 31 hits and 15 earned runs while striking out 8, for a 9.64 ERA before being released.