Radford Alum Ryan Speier Promoted to Rockies Bullpen

DENVER, Colo. -- Radford baseball alumni Ryan Speier has been promoted to the Colorado Rockies bullpen in preparation for opening day. Speier becomes the second Radford pitcher to earn a spot on a major league roster. Phil Leftwich spent three years with the Anaheim Angels.

Speier played for the Rockies Class AA farm team the Tulsa Drillers of the Texas League last season, winning the Rolaids Minor League Relief Man Award after earning 37 saves.

Speier played at Radford from 1998-2001, spending time as a starter and reliever. He compiled a 8-14 record with a 5.09 ERA. He made 12 starts and 74 appearances in a Highlander uniform, collecting 12 saves in 159 innings pitched. Speier issues 147 strikeouts in his career, including 84 as a senior. He was a part of one of Radford’s most successful teams, the 2000 squad that posted a 28-24 record.

The current RU team is 5-17 overall and 0-3 in Conference and will face Charleston Southern in a key, three-game Big South series beginning today.