Scott Elarton is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for several teams during his career. He was born on February 23, 1976, in Lamar, Colorado, and attended Lamar High School. Elarton was a standout athlete in high school, excelling in both baseball and football. He was drafted by the Houston Astros in the first round of the 1994 MLB draft and quickly rose through the ranks of the minor leagues.
Elarton made his Major League debut with the Astros in 1998 and spent the next five seasons with the team. He was a solid starter for the Astros, posting a 17-7 record in 2000 and helping the team reach the playoffs in 1998 and 1999. Elarton was traded to the Colorado Rockies in 2003 and spent one season with the team before being traded to the Cleveland Indians.
Elarton struggled during his time with the Indians, posting a 4-9 record in 2004 and a 1-4 record in 2005. He was released by the team in 2006 and signed with the Kansas City Royals. Elarton had a bounce-back season with the Royals in 2007, posting a 7-8 record with a 5.41 ERA. He signed with the Cleveland Indians again in 2008 but was released after just one appearance.
Elarton's career statistics include a 56-61 record with a 5.29 ERA and 618 strikeouts in 1,022 innings pitched. He was known for his fastball, which could reach speeds of up to 95 miles per hour, as well as his curveball and slider.
After his playing career ended, Elarton became a pitching coach and worked with several minor league teams. He also coached at the high school level and helped lead his alma mater, Lamar High School, to a state championship in 2016.
Overall, Scott Elarton had a solid career as a Major League pitcher, spending 10 seasons in the league and playing for several teams. While he had some ups and downs during his career, he was a reliable starter for much of his time in the league and helped his teams reach the playoffs on multiple occasions.
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