Donnie Veal


Donald Tyrone Veal is an American former professional baseball pitcher.

Baseball career

Chicago Cubs

Veal was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the second round of the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft out of Pima Community College in Tucson, Arizona. Veal had previously pitched in the Pac-10 for the University of Arizona, before transferring.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Before the season, Veal was left unprotected by the Cubs, and was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2008 Rule 5 draft. He spent the 2009 season on the Pirates' major league roster gaining experience in the bullpen, largely in a late-inning mop-up role.
He took part in the 2009 Arizona Fall League as a starting pitcher for the Scottsdale Scorpions.
After beginning 2010 with the Class AAA Indianapolis Indians, Veal was sidelined with an arm injury in late May. It was further diagnosed that he would require Tommy John surgery and missed the remainder of the season.

Chicago White Sox

Veal signed a contract with the Chicago White Sox on November 10, 2011. He was called up to the big leagues on July 19, 2012. He was designated for assignment on April 17, 2014.

Atlanta Braves

Veal signed a minor league deal with the Atlanta Braves on November 10, 2014. He was called up on April 30, 2015, and designated for assignment five days later.
He was called back up on May 27 and designated for assignment again on June 1. Veal was released on June 8.

Long Island Ducks

Veal signed with the Long Island Ducks on July 10, 2015.

Texas Rangers

Veal signed a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers in December 2015. He was released in April 2016.

Pitching style

Veal throws mainly two pitches—a four-seam fastball at 91–94 mph, used to set up a curveball at 77–79 mph. He also throws a small amount of changeups to right-handed hitters, as well has a handful of two-seam fastballs., Veal's excellent curve has resulted in most of his strikeouts carries a whiff rate of 49%, as well as a ground ball/fly ball ratio of 7:1.