Jake Odorizzi

Summary

Jacob Todd Odorizzi (born March 27, 1990) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Tampa Bay Rays organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Kansas City Royals, Minnesota Twins, Houston Astros, Atlanta Braves and the Rays. The Milwaukee Brewers selected Odorizzi in the first round, with the 32nd overall choice, of the 2008 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut in 2012 with the Royals.

Jake Odorizzi
Odorizzi with the Braves in 2022
Tampa Bay Rays
Pitcher
Born: (1990-03-27) March 27, 1990 (age 34)
Breese, Illinois, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
September 23, 2012, for the Kansas City Royals
MLB statistics
(through 2022 season)
Win–loss record74–69
Earned run average3.99
Strikeouts1,172
Teams
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Men's baseball
Representing  United States
World Baseball Classic
Gold medal – first place 2017 Los Angeles Team

Amateur career edit

Odorizzi attended Highland High School in Highland, Illinois, where he helped lead the Highland Bulldogs to the Illinois state championship.[1][2]

Professional career edit

Milwaukee Brewers edit

The Milwaukee Brewers selected Odorizzi in the first round, with the 32nd overall choice, of the 2008 Major League Baseball draft. He had a 9–9 record, a 3.68 earned run average (ERA), and 197 strikeouts in the Milwaukee Brewers system. He played for the Arizona Brewers (2008), Helena Brewers (2009) and the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (2010).

Kansas City Royals edit

On December 17, 2010, the Brewers traded Odorizzi, Alcides Escobar, Jeremy Jeffress, and Lorenzo Cain to the Royals for Zack Greinke and Yuniesky Betancourt.[3] Baseball America ranked Odorizzi as the 69th best prospect in baseball prior to the 2011 season[4] and the 23rd best prospect at midseason.[5] After the 2011 season, he was named the fifth best prospect in the Double-A Texas League.[6] He was named to appear in the 2012 All-Star Futures Game.[7] Odorizzi split time in 2012 between the Royals Double-A affiliate Northwest Arkansas Naturals and Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers, posting an overall record of 15–5 and a 3.03 ERA.[8] On September 16, 2012, the Royals purchased Odorizzi's contract from Class AAA Omaha.[9] He made two starts for the team before season's end.

Tampa Bay Rays edit

On December 9, 2012, the Royals traded Odorizzi to the Tampa Bay Rays (along with Mike Montgomery, Patrick Leonard, and Wil Myers) in exchange for James Shields and Wade Davis.[10] He was optioned to the Triple-A Durham Bulls on March 12. In early May, he threw a combined no-hitter for the Bulls against the Pawtucket Red Sox. He was recalled by the Rays on May 20 to start in Toronto against the Blue Jays.[11] He was sent back to the Bulls on May 29. He was recalled on August 29 for a start against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and optioned back to Durham the next day. He was recalled on September 20.

 
Odorizzi in 2014

Odorizzi spent majority of the 2013 season in the minor leagues posting a 9–6 with a 3.33 ERA in 22 Starts with the Durham Bulls. He got a late call up at the end of 2013, playing in 7 games (4 starts) and had a 3.94 ERA. In 2014, Odorizzi was the fourth pitcher in the rotation for the majority of the season. He plated moderately well, posting an 11–13 won-lost record, and a 4.13 ERA in 33 starts, pitching 168 innings with 174 strikeouts. He came in 8th for AL Rookie of the Year.

In the 2015 season, Odorizzi posted a record of 9–9 with an ERA of 3.25 and FIP of 3.16 in 169.1 innings, despite only making 28 starts. He led all major league pitchers in changeup percentage (30.0%).[12]

In the 2016 season, Odorizzi went 10–6 with an ERA of 3.69 in 33 games over 187.2 innings.[13] His 17 no decisions were the most among MLB starting pitchers in 2016.[14]

As of July 26, 2017, 18.3% of all fly balls hit against Odorizzi went for a home run, up 7.2% from his career average (11.1%).[15] As of July 26, his ERA had ballooned to 4.47, an FIP of 5.74, and had allowed 23 home runs in 18 games, even with these stats, Odorizzi had a winning record of 6–4.[16] On July 26, the Rays put Odorizzi on the ten-day DL with lower back strain. On August 9, Odorizzi was activated from the DL.[17] After posting a strong September (3–1 with a 1.03 ERA in 26.1 innings), Odorizzi ended the season 10–8 with a 4.14 ERA in 143.1 innings pitched.[18]

Minnesota Twins edit

 
Odorizzi with the Twins in 2018

On February 17, 2018, the Rays traded Odorizzi to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for minor leaguer Jermaine Palacios.[19] On September 12, Odorizzi pitched 7+13 no-hit innings before Greg Bird of the New York Yankees hit a run-scoring double in the 8th inning. Overall on the season, Odorizzi finished with a 7–10 record and 4.49 ERA in 32 starts. He had the lowest ground ball percentage among major league pitchers (28.4%).[20] He also tied for the major league lead in bunt hits given up, with six.[21]

In 2019, Odorizzi had a career year despite averaging under 6 innings per start. He finished 15–7 with a 3.51 ERA in 159 innings, striking out a career high 178. On November 14, 2019, Odorizzi agreed to the Minnesota Twins qualifying offer of a one-year, $17.8 million contract.[22]

Odorizzi began the 2020 season on the injured list due to a right intercostal strain and made his season debut on August 8, 2020 against the Kansas City Royals.[23] On August 21, 2020, Odorizzi was struck in the chest by a 103.2-mile-per-hour (166.1 km/h) line drive off the bat of Kansas City Royals outfielder Alex Gordon. Odorizzi suffered a right abdomen contusion and was placed on the injured list, missing about a month of action before returning in late September.[24] In his return start on September 16, Odorizzi suffered a blister on his right middle finger and was again placed on the injured list, returning before the Twins' playoff run.[25] Overall in 2020, Odorizzi was limited to 13.2 innings across 4 starts, recording a 6.59 ERA with 12 strikeouts.[26]

Houston Astros edit

On March 8, 2021, Odorizzi signed a two-year, $23.5 million contract with the Houston Astros, with a player option for the 2023 season.[27] In 2021, he was 6–7 with a 4.21 ERA in 24 games (23 starts).[28]

Odorizzi won his first game of the 2022 season on April 26 to end a 10-game winless streak spanning since the previous August. He hurled six innings versus the Texas Rangers and allowed one run on one hit .[29] He led a 5–0 win over Detroit on May 8 with a five-inning, one-hit, and five strikeout effort.[30] In a game versus the Boston Red Sox on May 16, Odorizzi fell as he sprinted to cover first base and left the game.[31] He was activated from the injured list on July 4, 2022, after a 42-game absence to start against the Kansas City Royals.[32] In a July 31 start versus the Seattle Mariners, Odorizzi delivered seven shutout innings for a game score of 79, allowing just two hits and one walk while attaining a season-high of eight strikeouts. [33] Odorizzi was traded after the game, but he received a World Series ring for his contributions to the championship that year.[34]

Atlanta Braves edit

The Astros traded Odorizzi to the Atlanta Braves for reliever Will Smith on August 2, 2022.[35]

Texas Rangers edit

On November 9, 2022, the Braves traded Odorizzi to the Texas Rangers along with cash considerations in exchange for Kolby Allard.[36] On April 7, 2023, it was announced that Odorizzi would miss the entire 2023 season after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder.[37]

Tampa Bay Rays (second stint) edit

On March 15, 2024, Odorizzi signed a minor league contract with the Rays.[38]

Pitching style edit

Odorizzi throws five pitches. He leads with a four-seam fastball at 91–96 mph. He also has a cutter (mid 80s), slider (low 80s), splitter (mid 80s), and curveball (low-mid 70s). The slider is mostly used against right-handed hitters, the changeup mostly against left-handed hitters.[39]

Scouts originally regarded his fastball as his best pitch and his changeup as the least developed. With the help of Alex Cobb, Odorizzi developed "the thing": a split-change similar to Cobb's main strikeout pitch. This led to Odorizzi winning the 5th starter's job in spring training in 2014.[40][41]

Personal life edit

Odorizzi married Carissa Boxell in November 2012.[42] The couple had their first child, a son, in 2016, and reside in Lutz, Florida.[43]

References edit

  1. ^ Roberts, Ken (June 7, 2008). "Odorizzi does it all for Bulldogs". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. B20. Retrieved November 16, 2011. (subscription required)
  2. ^ Duncan, Sean (June 8, 2008). "Highland wins one for the Gifford". The Chicago Sun-Times. p. A54. Retrieved November 16, 2011. (subscription required)
  3. ^ McCalvy, Adam (December 19, 2010). "Brewers add Greinke in deal with Royals". MLB.com. Archived from the original on December 21, 2010. Retrieved December 19, 2010.
  4. ^ "Prospects: Rankings: Top 100 Prospects: 2011 Top 100 Prospects". Baseball America. February 23, 2011. Archived from the original on February 26, 2011. Retrieved November 16, 2011.
  5. ^ "Midseason Top 50 Prospects List". Baseball America. July 7, 2011. Archived from the original on July 10, 2011. Retrieved November 16, 2011.
  6. ^ Dutton, Bob (October 6, 2011). "Five Royals listed among Class AA Texas Leagues' top prospects". Kansas City Star. Archived from the original on October 7, 2011. Retrieved November 16, 2011.
  7. ^ Jonathan Mayo (June 21, 2012). "Prospects pack rosters for Futures Game". Archived from the original on June 23, 2012. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
  8. ^ Kaegel, Dick (December 9, 2012). "Royals acquire Shields from Rays for prospects". MLB.com via Kansas City Royals team website. Archived from the original on December 12, 2012. Retrieved December 9, 2012.
  9. ^ "Royals bring up RHP Jake Odorizzi from Triple-A". CNN. September 16, 2012. Archived from the original on April 20, 2014.
  10. ^ Bill Chastain (December 9, 2012). "Rays deal Shields to Royals for Myers, prospects". Archived from the original on December 13, 2012. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
  11. ^ Silva, Drew (May 19, 2013). "Jake Odorizzi will indeed make his Rays debut on Monday". NBC Sports. Archived from the original on June 11, 2013. Retrieved May 20, 2013.
  12. ^ "Major League Leaderboards » 2015 » Pitchers » Pitch Type Statistics | FanGraphs Baseball". www.fangraphs.com.
  13. ^ "Jake Odorizzi Stats". Baseball Reference. Retrieved July 13, 2018.
  14. ^ "Pitching Game Finder: For 2016, Recorded no decision, as Starter, sorted by greatest number of games in a single season matching the selected criteria". Baseball Reference. Retrieved July 13, 2018.
  15. ^ "Tampa Bay Rays place Jake Odorizzi on the disabled list". DRaysBay. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
  16. ^ "Jake Odorizzi Stats | Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
  17. ^ "Jake Odorizzi - Tampa Bay Rays - 2017 Player Profile - Rotoworld.com". www.rotoworld.com. Retrieved August 16, 2017.
  18. ^ "Jake Odorizzi". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 8, 2017.
  19. ^ Chastain, Bill (February 17, 2018). "Rays get Cron from Halos; Odorizzi to Twins". MLB.com. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  20. ^ "Major League Leaderboards » 2018 » Pitchers » Dashboard | FanGraphs Baseball". www.fangraphs.com.
  21. ^ "2018 Major League Baseball Baserunning/Situ". Baseball-Reference.com.
  22. ^ "JOdorizzi accepts Twins' qualifying offer". MLB.com. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  23. ^ North, FOX Sports (August 8, 2020). "Twins activate Odorizzi from injured list". FOX Sports.
  24. ^ "Odorizzi, Littell injured in loss to Royals". MLB.com.
  25. ^ Zulgad, Judd (September 17, 2020). "Season of misfortune: Cut on middle finger is latest issue for Twins starter Jake Odorizzi". SKOR North.
  26. ^ "The Remaining Market for Jake Odorizzi". March 1, 2021.
  27. ^ McTaggart, Brian (March 8, 2021). "Astros finalize 2-year deal with Odorizzi". MLB.com. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  28. ^ "Jake Odorizzi stats". Baseball-Reference.com.
  29. ^ "Tucker homers, Odorizzi pitches Astros past Rangers 5–1". ESPN.com. Associated Press. April 26, 2022. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
  30. ^ "Grand slam by Diaz vs. Tigers helps Astros to 7–0 homestand". ESPN.com. May 8, 2022. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
  31. ^ "Houston Astros veteran Jake Odorizzi exits start on stretcher with lower left leg discomfort". ESPN.com. May 16, 2022. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  32. ^ Rome, Chandler (July 3, 2022). "Jake Odorizzi to start Monday as Astros shift to 6-man rotation". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  33. ^ "Alvarez hits RBI single in 10th to lift Astros over M's 3–2". ESPN.com. Associated Press. July 31, 2022. Retrieved July 31, 2022.
  34. ^ @astros (April 25, 2023). "Prior to tonight's game, Jake Odorizzi received his 2022 World Series Ring!" (Tweet). Houston, Texas. Retrieved April 26, 2023 – via Twitter.
  35. ^ Bowman, Mark. "Busy Braves acquire Grossman, also land Odorizzi". MLB.com.
  36. ^ Landry, Kennedi (November 9, 2022). "Rangers trade for Odorizzi, send Allard to Braves". MLB.com. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  37. ^ "Rangers' Jake Odorizzi: Having season-ending surgery". cbssports.com. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
  38. ^ "Jake Odorizzi joining Rays on minor league contract". ESPN.com. Associated Press. March 15, 2024. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
  39. ^ "Home of the PitchFX Tool – Player Card: Jake Odorizzi". Brooks Baseball. Archived from the original on April 30, 2012. Retrieved October 1, 2012.
  40. ^ Goldstein, Kevin (December 19, 2010). "Future Shock Blog: Scouting Jake Odorizzi". Baseball Prospectus. Archived from the original on December 20, 2010. Retrieved October 1, 2012.
  41. ^ "Meet the Prospect: Jake Odorizzi". Roto Professor. June 27, 2012. Archived from the original on July 4, 2012. Retrieved October 1, 2012.
  42. ^ "Odorizzi caught 'off-guard' by trade from KC". Fox Sports. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
  43. ^ "Doting dad Odorizzi ready to get back to work". MLB.com. Retrieved December 21, 2017.

External links edit

  • Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet
  • Jake Odorizzi on Twitter