Palomar Comets Baseball 2007

JOE CATES

NO. 21 /  RHP, SO, 6-2, 200; BATS: Right; THROWS: Right

HOMETOWN: Hemet, California 

HIGH SCHOOL: Hemet (Hemet, CA) (2005)

DRAFT: Under control of the San Diego Padres. Selected by the Padres in the 30th round of the June 2006 draft.

PERSONAL: Born Dec. 13, 1986, in Hemet. ... Son of Ray and Cheryl Cates. ... Has one brother (Ricky, 13) and one sister (Ashley, 18). ... Grandson of former Class AA minor league catcher Ray Cates.

2007 SEASON: Is expected to receive a medical re=shirt after being sidelined since the early season with a pulled groin muscle. ... Finished his shortened season 1-1 with 11 strikeouts in 13 innings. ... Was the starter and a 7-2 winner vs. Ventura on Feb. 3, giving up one run in five innings. ... Started and pitched 2 2/3 innings of one-hit ball with no earned runs against Pierce on Feb. 17. Came out with a 3-1 lead  in a game the Comets eventually won 18-3.

2006 SEASON: Was 2-0 with a 4.32 ERA, striking out 17 batters in 25 innings. ... Was 1-0 in Pacific Coast Conference play. ... Gave up 2 hits in 4 innings, striking out 5, in 6-5 victory over Cerritos on Feb. 1. ... Beat Citrus 10-3 on the road on Feb. 9, pitching the first 5 innings and surrendered 2 runs. ... Started and pitched 5 innings of 3-hit, shutout ball in 6-3 win over Mt. SAC Feb. 15. Left the game with the teams tied 0-0 and wasn't involved in the decision. ... Beat Imperial Valley 12-1 in the Comets' conference opener on Feb. 25. Pitched the first 7 innings, giving up an unearned run on 7 hits, striking out 7 and walking 2

SUMMER TRAVEL BASEBALL: Pitched in the CABA World Series in Chicago and Atlanta representing the Southern California Thunder.... Also pitched for Team USA Sports in the Dominican Republic.

HIGH SCHOOL: Pitched for coaches Mike Arnold and Rod Kemp (father of former Palomar and current University of Utah third baseman Erich Kemp) at Hemet. ... First-team All-Sunbelt League and 2005 Riverside County All-Star Game MVP.

(Updated at conclusion of season)