East County
FORMER EAST COUNTY STANDOUTS — SEAN O'SULLIVAN
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Sean O'Sullivan pitched the first
9-inning no-hiiter in the history of
the Triple-A Salt Lake City Bees.
Courtesy, The Deseret News
Deseret News coverage HERE
O'Sullivan recalled
to L.A. Angels
(8-5-09) STORY
O'most Perfect
Late walk denies O’Sullivan perfect game

© East County Sports.com
SALT LAKE CITY (7-29-09) — SEAN O’SULLIVAN is making it tough for the Los Angeles Angels to keep him in the minor leagues.

The former Valhalla-Grossmont College right-hander authored the first nine-inning no-hitter in the Salt Lake franchise history, as the Bees blanked the visiting Sacramento River Cats 2-0 in a Pacific Coast League game Tuesday (July 28) night.

O'Sullivan (6-3) retired the first 18 batters he faced before issuing a leadoff walk to Cliff Pennington in the 7th. No other Sacramento runner reached as O’Sullivan knocked down the final nine River Cats in succession.

In the 9th, he got Anthony Recker to ground out to shortstop Gary Patchett, struck out Yung Chi Chen swinging and finalized the no-hitter by retiring Pennington on a groundout to second. It took a great play for second baseman Sean Rodriguez to get the final out. Rodriguez made a sliding stop to his left and, from his knees, threw Pennington out.

Brad Coon saved a hit with a diving catch in center field to rob Aaron Cunningham to end the 4th inning.

O’Sullivan’s overall record this season is 10-5, including 3-0 in five starts with the Angels.


The Buzz on Sully

© East County Sports.com
SALT LAKE CITY (7-25-09) — When you're a young pitcher trying to earn a steady gig in the big leagues, throwing well isn't always enough.

For SEAN O'SULLIVAN of the Los Angeles Angels, a 3-0 record through his first five MLB starts is fantastic – including Monday's (July 20) win at Kansas City – but when you hold options while others on the 40-man roster do not, you are the target to be sent back to the minor leagues when the parent club juggles its roster.

On Wednesday (July 22), the Halos sent the former Valhalla High/Grossmont College standout back to Triple-A Salt Lake City. O'Sullivan, who is slated to start over the weekend for the Bees, was replaced by right fielder Terry Evans on the major league club.


He's back!.... well, on Monday
O’Sullivan to pitch vs. Royals

© East County Sports.com
ANAHEIM (7-17-09) — SEAN O’SULLIVAN, is ticketed to return to the active roster for the Los Angeles Angels on Monday, July 20, when he is slated to start on the road against the Kansas City Royals at Kaufman Stadium.

This will mark O’Sullivan’s fifth start for the Angels. The 21-year-old right-hander out of Valhalla High-Grossmont College owns a 2-0 record and a 3.80 ERA. He struck out 15 in 23 2/3 innings. The Angels are 4-0 in games that he has started.

O’Sullivan, who is being recalled from Salt Lake of the Triple A Pacific Coast League, has posted an overall minor league mark of 6-5.


Angels return O'Sullivan to AAA – for now

© East County Sports.com
ANAHEIM (7-07-09) — SEAN O’SULLIVAN, who was unbeaten in four major league pitching starts, was returned by the Los Angeles Angels to their AAA Salt Lake farm club this week.

It is believed that it will be a brief stint in the minors for O’Sullivan, who is 2-0 with a 3.80 ERA for the Angels. One of the reasons for the move is the upcoming Major League All Star game. The Angels do not need a fifth starter until after the summer classic.

O’Sullivan figures to rejoin the big club around July 19.


Angels keep O'Sullivan in starting rotation
Gains Independence Day assignment vs. Orioles

© East County Sports.com
ANAHEIM (7-3-09) — SEAN O’SULLIVAN was staring at three possibilities this weekend. He could remain one of the Los Angeles Angels’ five starting pitchers or be shuttled to the bullpen for the first time in his brief professional baseball career.

Or the 21-year-old right-hander of out of Valhalla High and Grossmont College could be sent down to Triple-A Salt Lake.

Angels manager MIKE SCIOSCIA decided Thursday (July 2) to keep O’Sullivan on as the club’s No. 5 starter. O’Sullivan is ticketed to pitch Saturday (July 4) at 6:05 p.m. against the Baltimore Orioles at Angels Stadium. It will mark the fourth start of the season for O'Sullivan, who is 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA.


The Halo shines tonight
Sean O'Sullivan captured his MLB debut, 8-1, over San Francisco.
Photo: Courtesy, L.A. Angels of Anaheim
Dream MLB debut for O'Sullivan

© East County Sports.com
SAN FRANCISCO (6-16-09, 9:59 p.m.) — Rancho San Diego's SEAN O'SULLIVAN will be hard-pressed to select what he liked best about his dream debut in the majors Tuesday (June 16) at AT&T Park.

The 21-year old right-hander out of Valhalla High and Grossmont College allowed just five hits over seven solid innings to collect the victory in his MLB debut. The former East County high school batting champion also registered a basehit, leading the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim to an 8-1 spanking of the San Francisco Giants.

The only run off O'Sullivan came on a sacrifice fly in the 7th inning after blanking the Giants on just three basehits through the first six frames. He struck out five batters.

Meanwhile, the Angels rolled up 15 hits, including a 3-run homer by catcher Mike Napoli and a 2-run shot by shortstop Maicer Izturis, his first of the year. MORE from MLB.com


O'Sullivan to make MLB debut Tuesday

© East County Sports.com
SAN FRANCISCO (UPDATED 6-15-09, 7:50 p.m.) — The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim announced that Ervin Santana will not make his scheduled start Tuesday (June 16) against the San Francisco Giants due to elbow problems, calling up former Valhalla High and Grossmont College standout SEAN O'SULLIVAN for his Major League debut at AT&T Park.

O'Sullivan is slated to be added to the 25-man roster by Angels management prior to the contest. However, O'Sullivan (5-2 with Class AAA Salt Lake City) knew something was up as recently as Sunday.

"Once in a while, the pitchers get to take batting practice if there is time, but Sean was told to take BP prior to Sunday's day game at Reno," said PAUL O'SULLIVAN, his father. "That was his first indication something might be happening."

Angels Scouting Report: This will be O'Sullivan's Major League debut. He's a big (6-foot-2, 230 pounds) sinker/slider pitcher with a good changeup. It's all about fastball command with O'Sullivan, who is 5-2 with a 6.02 ERA in 10 starts at Triple-A Salt Lake. A 21-year-old San Diego native who attended Valhalla High School and Grossmont College in El Cajon, outside San Diego, O'Sullivan led the Angels farm system last season with 16 wins. He was a third-round pick in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft.
The Bees flew home to Salt Lake City, but O'Sullivan's stay was brief.

"When they arrived at the clubhouse to unpack, the Bees' manager told him not to. He was being called up."

Instead, O'Sullivan was whisked back to the airport for a 90-minute flight to San Francisco to join the Angels for the second game of an interleague series.

O'Sullivan was promoted from Class AA Arkansas to Salt Lake following a rash of injuries to the parent ballclub in April. But when Angels pitchers began to return off the disabled list, the chain reaction to return ballplayers to their original ballclubs never included O'Sullivan. Now he gets to face Giants left-hander Jonathan Sanchez (2-6).

"And he gets to bat, too," added his father. "When he called me on the phone, that was one of things he said excited him most."

The 2004 East County player of the year as a junior, O'Sullivan led the region in both hitting and pitching, topping the charts in pitching victories (11) and batting average (.617, the highest East County mark in more than 25 years). He was also an ERA champion in 2003.

The 6-foot-3, 230-pound right-hander was selected by the Angels in the third round of the 2005 June draft, but did not sign until after the 2005 collegiate season, when we was a JC All-American and Pacific Coast Conference player of the year for Grossmont College before signing for more than $500,000.


O'Boys make some noise

© East County Sports.com
SALT LAKE CITY (5-16-09) — One brother is currently taking the professional route in his baseball career, while the other is on course for The Show through the collegiate ranks. The O'SULLIVAN brothers of Rancho San Diego found themselves just 35 miles apart in the state of Utah on Saturday (May 16) – and both turned in marvelous performances.

While older brother SEAN O'SULLIVAN was tossing seven innings of no-hit ball for the Class AAA Salt Lake Bees of the Pacific Coast League, younger bro' RYAN O'SULLIVAN had a career game with a pair of home runs and recording the save in relief for San Diego State.

Sean O'Sullivan
King Bee stings Iowa Cubs
Sean O'Sullivan flirted with a no-hitter, while his teammates pounded out 19 hits as the Salt Lake Bees routed the Iowa Cubs 16-7 on Saturday night. O'Sullivan (3-1) allowed only one batter to reach in the first 6 1/3 innings and that was when he hit Jake Fox with a pitch in the 1st inning. Ironically, it was Fox who broke up the no-hitter with a clean single up the middle.

Sean, a 21-year-old right-hander, fanned a season-high nine batters in seven innings with one walk. He was a standout performer at Valhalla High and Grossmont College before signing as a third round pick of the Los Angeles Angels in 2006.

Younger O’Sullivan is double threat
Earlier in the day, a half-hour drive north along Interstate 15, freshman Ryan O'Sullivan lifted the Aztecs from deficits of 4-1 and 7-3 to stun Utah , 10-9 in 12 innings, in the teams' final ballgame prior to the Mountain West Conference Tournament.

Ryan, the starting shortstop, batted 3-for-5 with three runs, accounting for four RBI with his two home runs. The first-year shortstop initially torched the fences at Lindquist Field with a solo homer in the 8th inning, then added his second bomb in as many innings -- a 3-run shot -- with two outs on a 3-2 pitch tying the game at 7-7.

In the 12th, SDSU scored three times, but the drama was far from over though as Utah would score twice in its half of the inning and eventually load the bases with two outs.

At that point, O’Sullivan was called to the mound and got the final out. He did so by inducing C.J. Cron to ground into a fielder’s choice to nail down the victory and pick up his first collegiate save.

San Diego State (37-19) now heads to Fort Worth, Texas, for the annual Mountain West Conference Tournament hosted by TCU. As the No. 4 seed, the Aztecs will open play against UNLV on Tue., May 19, at 7 p.m. (CT) at Lupton Stadium.


O’Sullivan captures Triple-A debut

© East County Sports.com
SALT LAKE CITY (4-27-09) — SEAN O'SULLIVAN was solid in his Triple-A debut for the Salt Lake Bees. The former Valhalla High and Grossmont College standout pitched 6 1/3 innings in leading the Bees to a 9-3 victory over visiting Portland in a Pacific Coast League game on Saturday (Apr. 25) night.

O'Sullivan, who struck out two of the first four Triple-A batters he faced, allowed just two runs on seven hits with four strikeouts and one walk. Twelve of the 19 outs recorded by O'Sullivan came on ground balls.

"I was little nervous going into it, but I just tried to think of it as just being another game,” O’Sullivan said.


O'Sullivan quickly promoted to Triple-A

© East County Sports.com
SALT LAKE CITY (4-23-09) — SEAN O’SULLIVAN is one step from the show.

The 21-year-old right-hander out of Valhalla High and Grossmont College made three starts for the Arkansas Travelers of the Double-A Texas League before he was promoted to Triple-A Salt Lake of the Pacific Coast League Wednesday (Apr. 22) night.

A third round pick of the Los Angeles Angels in the 2005 draft, O’Sullivan posted 1-2 mark with a 5.30 ERA for Arkansas. In 18 2/3 innings, he struck out 14 and walked none.

O’Sullivan joined the Salt Lake Bees in Tacoma, Wash., where they will play Thursday and Friday (Apr. 23-24).


Sean O'Sullivan, Arkansas Travelers
O'Sullivan retires 16 straight in Double-A debut

© East County Sports.com
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (4-10-09) — SEAN O’SULLIVAN opened a new chapter in his professional baseball career Thursday night (Apr. 9).

The 21-year-old right-hander out of Valhalla High and Grossmont College turned in a powerful pitching performance, allowing just three hits and one earned run in six innings as he led the Arkansas Travelers to a 6-1 victory over the Midland (Texas) RockHounds in the Double-A Texas League opener before 5,103 at Dickey-Stephens Park.

O'Sullivan earned the win by retiring the last 16 Midland batters he faced after giving up a first-inning run. Two of the hits permitted by O’Sullivan didn’t leave the infield. He struck out 6 and walked none for the Travs, the defending Texas League champions.

A third-round pick of the Los Angeles Angels in the 2005 draft, O’Sullivan has won 17 games in his last two seasons.


Sean O'Sullivan
O’Sullivan to open season with Angels Double-A club

© East County Sports.com
ANAHEIM (4-4-09) — Former Valhalla and Grossmont College pitching ace SEAN O’SULLIVAN turned in a respectable three-inning start in Saturday’s (Apr. 4) final preseason game for the Los Angeles Angels against the visiting San Diego Padres at Angels Stadium.

O’Sullivan will open the season Thursday (Apr. 9) with the Arkansas Travelers, the Angels’ Double-A farm club. He will be that team’s opening day starter.

For the record, O’Sullivan scattered 6 hits and allowed only one earned run against the Padres. He walked none and struck out three (Adrian Gonzalez, Kevin Kouzmanoff and Jody Gerut).

The Angels won the game 5-4 but O’Sullivan had no decision.

What was advertised as a television game between the two teams was blacked out in San Diego , thus disappointing a local audience of O’Sullivan fans.


O'Sullivan to start vs. Padres on Cox-4

© East County Sports.com
ANAHEIM (3-27-09) — Former Valhalla High and Grossmont College standout SEAN O’SULLIVAN will make his local television baseball debut on Sat., Apr. 4, when he pitches for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim against the San Diego Padres in the final Cactus League spring training exhibition game at Angels Stadium.

The game will be televised live locally on Cox 4-San Diego, starting at 6:05 p.m.

A third-round draft pick of the Angels in 2005, O’Sullivan posted a record-breaking season with a 16-8 mark, 4.73 ERA and 111 strikeouts in 158 innings for the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes of the Class A California League.

The 21-year-old O’Sullivan, who wears No. 70 in spring training, will be making his second big league start. In three previous appearances against major league competition this spring, the 6-foot-1, 220-pound O’Sullivan was 1-0 with a 5.40 ERA in five innings.


2008 SEASON
Sean O'Sullivan of the '08 Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.
(Courtesy photos, Rancho Cuacamonga Quakes)
Sean O'Sullivan picked
to All-California League
Post-season All-Star team

© East County Sports.com
RANCHO CUCAMONGA (8-26-08) — The California League post-season All-Star team was announced this week and former Valhalla High/ Grossmont College ace SEAN O’SULLIVAN, a starting pitcher for the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, was named to the 14-man roster.

A third-round draft pick of the Los Angeles Angels, O’Sullivan set the Quakes’ season and career records for wins with a 15-7 mark. His ERA is 4.70 with 107 strikeouts in 143 2/3 innings. O’Sullivan figures to have one more start in the regular season that ends on Labor Day.


Sean O'Sullivan named Pitcher of the Month

© East County Sports.com
RANCHO CUCAMONGA (8-12-08) — Rancho Cucamonga Quakes pitcher and former Valhalla and Grossmont College standout SEAN O'SULLIVAN was named the Los Angeles Angels' Minor League Pitcher of the Month for July.

O'Sullivan, who was the Angels Organizational Pitcher of the Year in 2007, went 5-0 with an earned run average of 1.59 during the month. He gave up only 6 earned runs in 34 innings, walking only 5 while striking out 20. One of O'Sullivan's five victories was a complete game against High Desert. Opponents batted only .214 against him.

O'Sullivan on the year is 14-5 with a 4.66 ERA. His 14 wins ties him for the club record with Rick Guttormson, who won 14 games in 1999. O'Sullivan did not lose a game between May 15th and August 1st.


Raising the expectations
Quakes' O'Sullivan comes to R.C. with high hopes from the Angels

Michelle Gardner, Staff Writer
The San Bernardino County Sun

RANCHO CUCAMONGA (7-20-08) - In an organization noted for the depth throughout its minor league system, Sean O'Sullivan received a huge compliment from Baseball America when it tabbed him the Angels' No. 5 prospect.

Another siginificant accolade came directly from his employer, as the Angels named him their organizational Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2007.

Those are pretty lofty credentials to live up to, but the 20-year-old right-hander has done just that.

He is 11-4, although his ERA is a bit high at 5.33. He leads the California League in wins and hasn't been on the losing end of a start since May 15.

O'Sullivan spent last year at Low-A Cedar Rapids of the Midwest League and had to go through the typical adjustment that comes when moving up a level.

His ERA fell from 6.56 in May to 5.70 in June. He has a sparkling 2.84 in three starts this month and is coming off a win over High Desert on Thursday in which he allowed one run and four hits in seven innings.

"I try not to set any goals until I have seen the league a little," he said. "Now that I have been around I would say 15 wins would be a good season. There is always room for improvement but this is is a pretty good hitter's league."

O'Sullivan was selected by the Angels in the third round of the 2005 draft out of Valhalla High School in San Diego. He spent one year at Grossmont Junior College then signed in 2006, just before he would have gone back into the draft pool.

He has excelled at every level, leading the rookie Pioneer League in ERA in 2006 with a nifty 2.14 at Orem (Utah) that earned him all-star team honors.

Last year at Cedar Rapids he recorded a 2.22 ERA, also a league best. He was also second in innings pitched (158.1) and led the Kernels in strikeouts with 125.

O'Sullivan isn't overpowering, although he will occasionally reach 93 on the radar gun. He prides himself on his control, with just 47 walks in 230 innings the previous two seasons combined. He complements the fastball with a curveball and a changeup.

"Throwing hard isn't what it's all about," O'Sullivan said. "You have to be able to locate it and have command because hitters can catch up to a fastball. The only thing not throwing hard does is give you less margin for error. If you miss your spot the hitter will make you pay."

The 6-foot-1, 220-pounder also boasts one of the intangibles that coaches value.

"He's a big-time competitor. He wants to win and he isn't afraid to go inside," Quakes pitching coach Dan Ricabal said. "The other thing he has learned is how to not let one big inning ruin him. He has done a good job of keeping us in the game even when he hasn't had his best stuff."

O'Sullivan isn't the only talented baseball player in the family though. Younger brother Ryan, 17, was drafted in the 10th round by the San Francisco Giants in June. He has not signed but is still negotiating while playing for a summer team.

O'Sullivan also credits his father Paul for much of his success. Paul runs a flooring business in San Diego but is on hand for all of his son's appearances.

"He's one of those fathers that actually knows the game and no one knows me bettter than him," O'Sullivan said. "He can tell when I'm not quite right even before I say anything. It is great to be able to play so close to home where he can be there."

The parent club is just up the road too which should make it equally convenient should he make it to the big leagues.

"Being drafted by the Angels was a dream come true," he said. "But I am trying not to get too far ahead of myself. I'm just trying to get better and learn something every time I go out there."

There is one other thing looming in the more immediate future - his wedding in January.

"That's up there high on my offseason to-do list," he said with a chuckle.


O'Sullivan carries the Quakes

© East County Sports.com
RANCHO CUCAMONGA (6-16-08) -- The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes may have finished with the poorest record (30-40) in the first half of California League play, but that hasn't stopped Rancho San Diego's SEAN O'SULLIVAN (Valhalla HS/Grossmont College) from posting excellent numbers to maintain his individual quest to advance to the major leagues.

O'Sullivan, a farmhand of the Los Angeles Angels, completed the a strong opening two months of the season with a 7-4 record -- only four other pitchers in the 10-team circuit own more victories. His earned-run average is a touch high at 5.90, but his WHIP count still impresses Angels management.

Through 68 innings this season, O'Sullivan is allowing just 1.56 baserunners via walks (W) or hits (H) per inning (IP). His adjusted WHIP total, taking away one poor outing in mid-April, is 1.23, while striking out 55 batters against 29 walks for the season.

In his most recent outing against the Modesto Nuts on Saturday (June 14), O'Sullivan cruised through four innings as he struck out the side in the 1st, then induced three double play ground outs over the next three consecutive innings in a 6-4 victory.


Sean O'Sullivan
2007 SEASON
O'Sullivan named Angels' minor league Pitcher of the Year

© East County Sports.com
ANAHEIM (9-30-07) -- The Los Angeles Angels have announced their Minor League organizational awards for the 2007 season, naming right-handed pitcher SEAN O'SULLIVAN as Pitcher of the Year. This announcement was made by Angels' Director of Player Development Tony Reagins.

O'Sullivan, 20, spent the 2007 season at single-A Cedar Rapids, where he posted a 10-7 record with a 2.22 ERA (39 ER, 158.1 IP) in 25 appearances as a starter. He allowed 136 hits and 40 walks while striking out 125 batters.

O'Sullivan led the Midwest League in ERA and ranked second in innings pitched. He also led the Kernels with his 125 strikeouts. A native of San Diego, who attended Valhalla High and pitched at Grossmont Community College, O'Sullivan was selected by the Angels in the third round of the 2005 free agent draft.


O'Sullivan times two

© East County Sports.com
BALBOA PARK (9-13-07) -- A pair of brothers from El Cajon were honored by the San Diego Hall of Champions, each named one of the Breitbard Stars of the Month for August.

Tabbed were minor league baseball pitcher SEAN O'SULLIVAN (Valhalla High/Grossmont College) and amateur pitcher RYAN O'SULLIVAN, Sean's younger brother, also out of Valhalla.

Sean O'Sullivan earned his fifth career Star of the Month citation, this time while pitching for the Cedar Rapids Kernals of the Los Angeles Angels system. In his second pro season, he won the Class A Midwest League ERA title with a mark of 2.22.

For the month, he posted a 4-0 record with an ERA of 0.49 ERA as the Kernals won the Midwest Division title. He also was named the Pitcher of the Week by Minor League Baseball.com for Aug. 20-26. His season record was 10-6.

Meanwhile, Ryan O'Sullivan, a pitcher and shortstop, was one 38 players in the nation named an Aflac All-American and played in the Aflac All-America High School Baseball Classic on Aug. 11 at Tony Gwynn Stadium.

O'Sullivan pitched a 1-2-3 second inning to earn his first Star of the Month award, becoming the first set of brother to participate in the Aflac game.


O'Sullivan wins Midwest League ERA crown

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (9-11-07) – Right-hander SEAN O’SULLIVAN of the Cedar Rapids Kernals finished with the lowest ERA during the Class A Midwest League season.

A product of Valhalla High and Grossmont College, O’Sullivan posted a 2.22 ERA to go along with a 10-7 record. He struck out 125 batters in 158 innings in his first full season of professional baseball.

O’Sullivan was a third-round draft pick of the Los Angeles Angels in 2005.


Sean O'Sullivan
O'Sullivan double-award winner

© East County Sports.com
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (8-28-07) – Right-hander SEAN O’SULLIVAN of the Class A Cedar Rapids Kernals has been named Minor League Baseball.com and the Class A Midwest League Pitcher of the Week for the period Aug. 20-26.

In two starts this past week, O’Sullivan – a Valhalla High/Grossmont College product – allowed no earned runs, just seven hits and one walk while striking out 11 in a pair of eight-inning outings. O’Sullivan currently leads the MWL in ERA (2.07) and is second in innings pitched (152.1). He also has 124 strikeouts to go with a 10-6 record in 24 starts.

For the month of August, O’Sullivan posted a remarkable 0.49 ERA.

A third-round draft pick of the Angels in 2005, O’Sullivan led the Pioneer Rookie League last season with a 2.14 ERA. As a freshman at Grossmont College , O’Sullivan was an All-America and an All-State first-team pick.


Sean O'Sullivan
O'Sullivan seeks Triple-A Promotion
Leads Midwest League in ERA

By Jim Ecker
The (Cedar Rapids) Gazette

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (8-17-07) — Sean O’Sullivan is the stingiest pitcher in the Midwest League. He also might be the most unselfish.

That might sound like a contradiction in terms, but not if you listen carefully to the stocky right-hander from California.

He’ll pass credit to his manager, pitching coach, strength coach, catcher, defense and hitters before he’ll get around to talking about his own performances, which lately have been spectacular.

O’Sullivan tossed another gem Thursday night (Aug. 16), as the Cedar Rapids Kernels spanked the Peoria Chiefs, 11-1, before 3,552 fans at Memorial Stadium.

O’Sullivan (9-6) allowed only one earned run in seven innings and has a 3-0 record and 0.87 earned run average in August. His ERA for the season is 2.31, the best in the league by far.

His earned run average is the stingy part, and the unselfish part is sharing the credit. The Kernels matched a season high with 17 hits and raised their record for the second half of the Midwest League season to 26-26.

‘‘Yeah, a little run support never hurts,’’ O’Sullivan said while enjoying a post-game meal of fried chicken.

O’Sullivan credited the coaching staff and training staff for keeping the pitchers in shape during a long, hot season. The pitchers spend a considerable amount of time in the weight room and on the field between starts.

‘‘That’s what it takes to get your arm ready every fifth day, and that’s what we’ve got to do,’’ O’Sullivan said. ‘‘It’s definitely helped out this season, keeping in shape and making sure I finish up with the stuff I started with.’’

Tyler Johnson led the 17-hit attack with three hits, two doubles and three RBIs. Wil Ortiz, P.J. Phillips and Anderson Rosario also collected three hits as the Kernels unleashed a potent attack.

With all that support, O’Sullivan made it look easy.

‘‘Just work ethic,’’ said Cedar Rapids manager Ever Magallanes, tipping his cap to the 19-year-old pitcher. ‘‘He’s doing a good job. He’s doing everything right. You know, going about it the right way.’’

It’s getting late in the season, but O’Sullivan might deserve a promotion to a higher league at this rate.

‘‘It’s out of my hands,’’ Magallanes said. ‘‘You’d love to see it. That’s what we’re here for, as mangers and coaches, to see kids get called up. And he certainly deserves it. But that’s not my call.

‘‘I’m glad he’s down here,’’ the skipper added with a smile.

A packed house is expected tonight in the final of the two-game series. It’s Hall of Fame night for the Kernels, and also the last chance for local fans to see Hall of Famer and former Chicago Cubs great Ryne Sandberg in uniform as Peoria’s manager.


Sean O'Sullivan
O'Sullivan is now a Kernel

© East County Sports.com
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (6-4-07) -- Former Valhalla High and Grossmont College standout SEAN O'SULLIVAN continues his rise through the minor league ranks of the Los Angeles Angels, one of 20 players from the Rookie League Orem (Utah) Owlz promoted to the Class A Cedar Rapids Kernels of the Midwest League this season.

The Kernels (yes, as in a kernel of corn) are 29-24 through the first two months of the season, in fourth place, five games behind Beloit (Ill.) in the Western Division.

O'Sullivan's most recent effort came May 30, when he allowed just a single earned run in 6 2/3 innings of work in a 12-7 victory over the Peoria (Ill.) Chiefs. He struck out four batters, yet walked only one, getting a bushel full of outs on nine groundballs for his second straight victory.

O'Sullivan now owns a 4-3 record this season, lowering his earned run average to 2.33 -- the second-best among Kernels starters. He has allowed just one earned run over a span of 20 1/3 innings in his last four starts.

A third-round draft pick in 2005, O’Sullivan eventually signed with the Angels after a successful freshman season at Grossmont College.


2006 Season
Sean O'Sullivan accepts his All-Pioneer League award (a bat) during pregame ceremonies.
(Courtesy of Orem Owlz/Josh Hansen)
O'Sullivan named
All-Pioneer League

East County Sports.com
OREM, Utah (9-5-06) -- Former Valhalla High standout SEAN O'SULLIVAN has been named to the All-Pioneer League baseball team after his first taste of professional baseball life.

A 3rd round pick of the Anaheim Angels in the 2005 draft, the 18-year-old right-hander posted the league's best ERA at 1.91 along with a perfect 4-0 record. He recorded 51 strikeouts and walked just seven men in 66 innings pitched.

Orem finished in first place in the Pioneer League's South Division during both halves of the regular season. The Owlz will entertain the Idaho Falls Chukars in the opening game of the Divisional Series on Friday (Sept. 8).


Sean O'Sullivan vs. Billings
(Courtesy of Orem Owlz/Josh Hansen)

O'Sullivan's Owlz closing on playoffs

East County Sports.com
OREM, Utah (8-26-06) -- One night after Orem Owlz skipper Tom Kotchman became Minor League Baseball's all-time winningest manager (1,446 victories), former Valhalla High/Grossmont College standout SEAN O'SULLIVAN moved the Owlz closer to the Pioneer League playoffs.

The right-hander tossed five more strong innings Friday (Aug. 25), pacing Orem to a 5-4 victory over Billings (Mont.) in a battle of division leaders. With the effort, O'Sullivan (3-0), one of two undefeated starting pitchers remaining in the Rookie League circuit, continues to lead the Pioneer League in earned-run average at 1.95. In 60 innings of work. He has 45 strikeouts and yielded just a pair of home runs all season.

Orem (15-11) now holds a 1-game lead over intrastate rival Ogden iin the South Division's second-half standings. Orem already captured the first-half title. Billings holds the same two positions in the North Division. There are 12 days remaining in the regular season; playoffs open Fri., Sept. 8.

O'Sullivan strong after missing start

East County Sports.com
OREM, Utah (7-14-06) -- Two constants can be found when SEAN O'SULLIVAN starts for the Pioneer League's Orem Owlz. When the first-year pro pitches, the Owlz usually win. And he rarely allows an earned run, too.

The script was again true Thursday (July 13), as O'Sullivan tossed the first four innings in Orem's 5-3 victory over the visiting Missoula Osprey. O'Sullivan struck out three, giving him 16 in as many innings this season, as the Owlz have won in three of his four starts, with the lone setback coming in 13 innings.

Although he didn't get credit for the victory, O'Sullivan lowered his earned-run average to a paltry 0.56, allowing just a single earned run all season. The right-hander would lead the league in ERA, except he is two innings short of the needed frames to qualify after missing his last start with shoulder soreness. "Nacho," as he is known by teammates, is being monitored carefully.

With the victory, the Owlz improve to 13-10, remaining 1.5 games back of Idaho Falls in the Pioneer League's South Division.

Orem's O'Sullivan tosses O's

East County Sports.com
OREM, Utah (6-23-06) -- Valhalla High-Grossmont College standout SEAN O'SULLIVAN was flashy in his professional baseball debut Thursday night (June 22) for the Orem Owlz of the Class A Pioneer League.

O'Sullivan, a third-round pick of the Los Angeles Angels in the 2005 draft, pitched four shutout innings in a starting role as Orem buried the Ogden (UT) Raptors 16-2.

A 19-year-old right-hander, O'Sullivan allowed only two hits and struck out six for the Owlz as more than 4,000 fans looked on.

"I was nervous,"O'Sullivan admitted. "When I walked out to that mound for the first time, I said to myself, 'wow, this is really happening.'"

O'Sullivan's first pitch was a strike. That set the tone for the night.

Long after O'Sullivan left the mound, Orem posted 12 runs in the 7th inning to turn the home opener into a rout. GAME STORY


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