PHOENIX – Sun Devil Baseball has named former major league pitcher and professional baseball coach Mike Cather as the program's pitching coach, as announced today by head coach Tracy Smith.
"After an extensive and diligent national search, we've found a pitching coach whose credentials match the unique requirements of ASU Baseball. We wanted a candidate who not only understood the rigors of college baseball, but someone who also had experience and knowledge in the professional ranks." Smith said. "The caliber of kids we pursue at Arizona State University all share the same mindset. They choose to be educated at a world class university while honing their skills for a long career in professional baseball. Mike Cather has coached and/or played at every level of the game. His career in professional baseball after his Pac-12 and MLB playing days has greatly enriched his ability to mentor our student-athletes. We couldn't be happier to welcome him as a Sun Devil."
Cather joins the Sun Devils with over a decade of experience at the professional level, most recently serving as the Minor League Pitching Coordinator for the Miami Marlins organization beginning in 2015. With the Marlins, Cather oversaw the development for the organization's minor league system and worked closely with Miami's Major League Pitching Coach, Juan Nieves.
Prior to his coaching career, Cather had a 10-year career as a professional pitcher with three seasons spent in Major League Baseball with the Atlanta Braves (1997-99). Cather did not allow an earned run in his first eight games in the MLB and helped the Braves to a spot in the National League Championship Series against the Florida Marlins in 1998.
"I would like to thank Tracy Smith for this opportunity. The biggest thing for me in accepting this position was having the chance to develop players for multiple years," Cather said. "Player development has always been my first love. I love teaching and have a passion for helping. My driving force is to see the light bulb turn on in a young man's head when things click."
"Arizona State is traditionally an exceptional baseball institution and there's a different chemistry and drive to the players that come here. For me, it makes a lot of a sense to come to a place where I can provide my insight from the professional side and help these players achieve those goals of competing at the next level."
Among his professional assignments and developments through the years, Cather has worked with All-Stars Josh Beckett and Clay Buchholz, as well as the likes of Matt Wisler, Carl Edwards, Jr., Joe Ross and Daniel Bard.
"We had no doubt that Mike Cather was the best fit to join our program from a cultural and professional standpoint," said Sun Devil Athletics senior associate athletics director Ken Landphere. "We feel that he will be able to relate to our players and our recruits and provide insight and development to their careers that very few collegiate coaches can provide. He's also adept at evaluating and assessing high school talent and collegiate players and will provide a valuable addition to our already exceptional recruiting efforts."
In 2014, Cather joined the Chicago Cubs organization as the pitching coach for the Iowa Cubs at the Triple-A level and oversaw a pitching staff that led the Pacific Coast League in ERA, setting several club records in the process. He developed young and veteran players for the team's postseason run in 2015.
The Iowa Cubs' pitching staff finished with a team ERA of 3.73 in 2015 and were led by Carlos Pimentel, who finished with a 2.95 ERA – second in the PCL – while leading the league with 12 victories on the season.
Cather joined the San Diego Padres organization in 2012 where he served as the Minor League Pitching Coordinator as well as the pitching coach for the El Paso Chihuahuas, the Padres' Triple-A affiliate. In El Paso, Cather worked under former Sun Devil Baseball head coach Pat Murphy.
With the organization, Cather established throwing programs used throughout the system and oversaw development of players for the major league or trades. He also initiated and created the throwing program used for Dominican players at the overseas academy.
Cather began his career in the professional ranks with the Boston Red Sox organization in 2006. He joined the organization as the pitching coach for the Class A Wilmington Blue Rocks before being promoted to pitching coach for the Portland Sea Dogs, the Red Sox's Double-A affiliate, in 2007. In 2010, Cather was named as one of Boston's Major League advanced scouts, where he provided reports and insight to the organization's Major League staff.
During his playing career with the Braves, Cather pitched two scoreless innings of relief in Game 2 against the Houston Astros in the 1998 National League Divisional series after helping the team to the NL Eastern Division title. In the National League Championship Series against the Marlins, Cather did not allow a run over four games
.
During his 10-year professional career, Cather also played within the Texas Rangers, Florida Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals organizations. His career saw him play alongside fellow Sun Devil alumni Tim Spehr and Jacob Cruz.
Cather will be joined in Phoenix by his wife of nearly 20 years, Kristine, as well as his daughters Lauren (18) and Avery (13) and his son Colby (11).
"After an extensive and diligent national search, we've found a pitching coach whose credentials match the unique requirements of ASU Baseball. We wanted a candidate who not only understood the rigors of college baseball, but someone who also had experience and knowledge in the professional ranks." Smith said. "The caliber of kids we pursue at Arizona State University all share the same mindset. They choose to be educated at a world class university while honing their skills for a long career in professional baseball. Mike Cather has coached and/or played at every level of the game. His career in professional baseball after his Pac-12 and MLB playing days has greatly enriched his ability to mentor our student-athletes. We couldn't be happier to welcome him as a Sun Devil."
Cather joins the Sun Devils with over a decade of experience at the professional level, most recently serving as the Minor League Pitching Coordinator for the Miami Marlins organization beginning in 2015. With the Marlins, Cather oversaw the development for the organization's minor league system and worked closely with Miami's Major League Pitching Coach, Juan Nieves.
Prior to his coaching career, Cather had a 10-year career as a professional pitcher with three seasons spent in Major League Baseball with the Atlanta Braves (1997-99). Cather did not allow an earned run in his first eight games in the MLB and helped the Braves to a spot in the National League Championship Series against the Florida Marlins in 1998.
"I would like to thank Tracy Smith for this opportunity. The biggest thing for me in accepting this position was having the chance to develop players for multiple years," Cather said. "Player development has always been my first love. I love teaching and have a passion for helping. My driving force is to see the light bulb turn on in a young man's head when things click."
"Arizona State is traditionally an exceptional baseball institution and there's a different chemistry and drive to the players that come here. For me, it makes a lot of a sense to come to a place where I can provide my insight from the professional side and help these players achieve those goals of competing at the next level."
Among his professional assignments and developments through the years, Cather has worked with All-Stars Josh Beckett and Clay Buchholz, as well as the likes of Matt Wisler, Carl Edwards, Jr., Joe Ross and Daniel Bard.
"We had no doubt that Mike Cather was the best fit to join our program from a cultural and professional standpoint," said Sun Devil Athletics senior associate athletics director Ken Landphere. "We feel that he will be able to relate to our players and our recruits and provide insight and development to their careers that very few collegiate coaches can provide. He's also adept at evaluating and assessing high school talent and collegiate players and will provide a valuable addition to our already exceptional recruiting efforts."
In 2014, Cather joined the Chicago Cubs organization as the pitching coach for the Iowa Cubs at the Triple-A level and oversaw a pitching staff that led the Pacific Coast League in ERA, setting several club records in the process. He developed young and veteran players for the team's postseason run in 2015.
The Iowa Cubs' pitching staff finished with a team ERA of 3.73 in 2015 and were led by Carlos Pimentel, who finished with a 2.95 ERA – second in the PCL – while leading the league with 12 victories on the season.
Cather joined the San Diego Padres organization in 2012 where he served as the Minor League Pitching Coordinator as well as the pitching coach for the El Paso Chihuahuas, the Padres' Triple-A affiliate. In El Paso, Cather worked under former Sun Devil Baseball head coach Pat Murphy.
With the organization, Cather established throwing programs used throughout the system and oversaw development of players for the major league or trades. He also initiated and created the throwing program used for Dominican players at the overseas academy.
Cather began his career in the professional ranks with the Boston Red Sox organization in 2006. He joined the organization as the pitching coach for the Class A Wilmington Blue Rocks before being promoted to pitching coach for the Portland Sea Dogs, the Red Sox's Double-A affiliate, in 2007. In 2010, Cather was named as one of Boston's Major League advanced scouts, where he provided reports and insight to the organization's Major League staff.
During his playing career with the Braves, Cather pitched two scoreless innings of relief in Game 2 against the Houston Astros in the 1998 National League Divisional series after helping the team to the NL Eastern Division title. In the National League Championship Series against the Marlins, Cather did not allow a run over four games
.
During his 10-year professional career, Cather also played within the Texas Rangers, Florida Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals organizations. His career saw him play alongside fellow Sun Devil alumni Tim Spehr and Jacob Cruz.
Cather will be joined in Phoenix by his wife of nearly 20 years, Kristine, as well as his daughters Lauren (18) and Avery (13) and his son Colby (11).