Athletics sign switch-pitcher Pat Venditte to minor-league contract

Pat Venditte will attempt to be the first switch-pitcher to make the majors next season after agreeing to a minor-league contract with the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday.

Venditte, who throws with either arm depending on the hitter, will report to spring training with the goal of breaking camp with the Athletics.

"Any time they bring a guy in on a minor-league deal, it's extremely difficult to be on the Opening Day roster," Venditte told Newsday. "But I wouldn't be human if that wasn't in the back of my mind."

Venditte's story caught national attention last decade after the New York Yankees selected the ambidextrous pitcher in both the 2007 and 2008 MLB drafts. 

The 29-year-old has spent the past seven seasons in the Yankees' organization, most recently pitching for the club's Triple-A affiliate. Venditte struck out 53 batters in 56 1/3 innings for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in 2014, pitching to a 3.36 ERA over 26 games.

Venditte reportedly throws harder as a right-hander with fastball velocity running around 90 mph, but his side-arm delivery from the left side is said to be equally as a effective.