Aug. 30, 2011

LOS ANGELES--Former USC left-hander Tommy Milone (Saugus, Calif.), a pitcher for the Trojans from 2006 to 2008, is scheduled to make his major league debut for the Washington Nationals at home Saturday against the New York Mets.

He becomes the 100th former USC player to make it to the major leagues. No other university has produced as many major league players as USC.

Milone finished his Trojan career with 45 starts, placing him in a tie for ninth on USC's all-time list. He went 16-17 overall as a pitcher with a 4.78 ERA. In 273 career innings, he totaled 212 strikeouts while only allowing 60 walks.

Selected in the 10th round of the 2008 MLB draft, Milone's stock has been steadily rising in Washington's system. He earned the Nationals' Minor League Pitcher of the Year honors in 2010 while playing for Double-A Harrisburg. Promoted to Triple-A Syracuse this year, Milone has posted a 12-6 record with a 3.22 ERA while striking out 155 against only 16 walks.

"His numbers are outstanding," said Nationals manager Davey Johnson. "He's had a phenomenal year. I'm excited to see him. "

Milone's former teammates, Ryan Cook and Anthony Vasquez, also made their major league debuts earlier this season with the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Seattle Mariners, respectively.