Kershaw promoted to Double-A

The Los Angeles Dodgers have announced the promotion of left-handed pitcher Clayton Kershaw to Double-A Jacksonville (Southern League).

Kershaw was 7-5 with a 2.77 earned run average at the time of his promotion. He becomes the second member of the Loons promoted to the Double-A level. The announcement was made following the Loons 10-6 win over the Kane County Cougars.

“Obviously the Dodgers’ goal was to give him a taste of Double-A, and I think he’s ready for that,” said Loons manager Lance Parrish. “Is he completely ready? I don’t know. But he certainly has the stuff to be successful at the next level.”

In 97 1/3 innings on the mound this year, the Dodgers’ 2006 first-round pick gave up 72 hits to hold opposing hitters to a .203 batting average against. The Dallas native went through some growing pains since the All-Star break, going 0-3 with a 4.33 earned run average after beginning the season going 7-2 with a 1.89 ERA.

“I’ve heard Low-A to Double-A is a big jump,” Kershaw said after his promotion. “I’m really excited to see how everything compares and see how I stack up.”

Amongst the highlights of Kershaw’s four-month Loons’ career included setting a Loons’ record for most strikeouts in a game with 12 on April 24 versus Cedar Rapids. He also pitched eight shutout innings May 29 against Dayton, allowing just one hit. That was the beginning of streak of 29 consecutive innings pitched without allowing an earned run.

Clayton got his first professional all-star experience when he pitched in the Midwest League All-Star Game June 18, picking up the victory in the ballgame. On July 8, Kershaw played in the 2007 MLB Futures Game as part of the pitching staff of the United States team. The southpaw was the youngest player on the U.S. team and fourth youngest player in the game.

“I kept telling people that if I ever had a kid, I would want him to be like Clayton. He’s been a consummate professional,” said Loons pitching coach Glenn Dishman. “I think he’ll rise to the challenge at Double-A.”

The hard-throwing lefty came to the Loons regarded as one of the Dodgers’ top prospects. Baseball Prospectus rated Kershaw as the best prospect in the Dodgers organization. He was rated by Baseball America as the Dodgers’ No. 2 prospect. He also won the USA Today High School Baseball Player of the Year, and Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year in 2006.

“It’s a big jump, but I think the Dodgers’ plan all along was to put him on the fast track to the big leagues,” Parrish said. “He’s got one of those special arms.”