Duke von Schamann, a starting pitcher from Texas Tech, was drafted by the Dodgers in the fifteenth round of the 2012 draft. Duke, just turned 21, was the last of four players drafted from Texas Tech in this year’s draft. The 6’5”, 220 pound righty had just completed a successful season with the Red Raiders. He finished the 2012 campaign with a 6-4 record in 12 starts and a team leading 2.08 earned run average in 86 2/3 innings. In 10 of his 12 starts on the season, Duke threw at least 7 innings for the Red Raiders with 3 complete games. One remarkable statistic would be his walks per inning ratio. He made 6 starts without allowing a walk this season while his 12 walks allowed are the fewest by a Red Raider pitcher (min. 80 IP) since 2001.

Former Texas Tech star Duke von Schamann was one of only 51 college pitchers in the country to be named to the 2012 National Pitcher of the Year Watch List. (Photo credit texastech.com)

Duke was immediately assigned to the Ogden Raptors in the Pioneer League, where he threw three shutout innings before a relatively quick promotion to the Great Lakes Loons. With the Loons, Duke has started four games, compiling a 2-0 record with an ERA of 2.53 and a WHIP of 1.08. He is not a strikeout pitcher at this point, striking out nine in his twenty-one innings but still showing excellent control, having walked only two hitters.

After being drafted by the Dodgers in the 15th round of the 2012 MLB First Year Player Draft, von Schamann was immediately sent to the Ogden Raptors. (Photo credit ogden-rapters.com)

Duke von Schamann has some of the qualities the Dodgers seem to be looking for when drafting pitchers. He is a strong young man, athletic and has athletic bloodlines. “I just told my dad that I wanted to be a real athlete,” Duke said. “Of course, he came back with the fact that I’m only a pitcher, so I’m not an athlete either.”

His father, Uwe von Schamann was the kicker for the Miami Dolphins for six seasons, playing in two Super Bowls. But he is best known for “The Kick” in 1977 at Ohio State. With Oklahoma trailing 28-26, von Schamann attempted a 41-yard field goal. But before he could kick it, Ohio State called a timeout. As the crowd started getting noisier, von Schamann led a chant of “Block that kick” during the timeout.The kick was good, and von Schamann became an Oklahoma legend. Instead of going to Oklahoma, Duke von Schamann chose Texas Tech, where he played for three seasons.

The younger von Schamann is living in the shadow of a legend, his father. He doesn’t seem to be very concerned about this and has a supportive relationship with his dad. He has also always had his own ambitions in life – to be a athlete, to pitch in college, and to get drafted and play professional baseball.

Thus far Duke’s dream has been realized and I am sure that his dream has now expanded. He throws in the low nineties but is not classified as a power pitcher. John Shoemaker, his Great Lakes manager had this to say after Duke’s debut with the Loons: “He looked like when he went to the mound, he knew he was going to get them out. He didn’t back down, he made his pitches, he had great mound presence. He threw in the low 90’s, but was able to hit his spots.”

Duke von Schamann is clearly on the fast track with the Dodgers, having already been promoted to the Great Lakes Loons. Duke needs your help in the Moniker Madness voting to advance to the next round. (Photo credit mlive.com)

From the Great Lakes web site we read: “The Great Lakes Loons starting pitcher Duke von Schamann has been selected as a #1 seed in Minor League Baseball’s Moniker Madness! Help our pitcher from Texas Tech advance from Round One by voting here! Moniker Madness.

Oh yes, how is it that he goes by “Duke” with a first name of Dalton? He is named after another Duke. No, it isn’t my all time favorite, Duke Snider, as his family is too young to have experienced the joys of Duke Snider days. Dalton Duke von Schamann explains: ‘“My parents are big John Wayne fans but they liked Dalton too, so they gave me both names. Duke is actually my middle name, as my mom thought Dalton Duke sounded better than Duke Dalton. I’ve always gone by Duke.”

It is great to have another Duke on board with the Dodgers. Let’s see if we can help him win Moniker Madness as he wins games for the Loons.