| Carlos Villanueva | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Villanueva with the Padres in 2016 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1983-11-28)November 28, 1983 (age 41) Santiago, Dominican Republic | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| Professional debut | |
| MLB: May 23, 2006, for the Milwaukee Brewers | |
| KBO: March 31, 2017, for the Hanwha Eagles | |
| Last appearance | |
| MLB: September 24, 2016, for the San Diego Padres | |
| KBO: September 28, 2017, for the Hanwha Eagles | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 51–55 |
| Earned run average | 4.31 |
| Strikeouts | 862 |
| KBO statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 5–7 |
| Earned run average | 4.18 |
| Strikeouts | 68 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Carlos Manuel Villanueva Paulino (born November 28, 1983) is a Dominican former professionalbaseballpitcher. He played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theMilwaukee Brewers,Toronto Blue Jays,Chicago Cubs,St. Louis Cardinals, andSan Diego Padres. He also played in theKBO League for theHanwha Eagles.
Villanueva was signed by theSan Francisco Giants on March 4,2002.[1] He made his professional debut with the rookie-levelArizona League Giants, posting a 4-0 record and 0.59 ERA with 23 strikeouts in 19 games. Villanueva returned to the AZL Giants in 2003, compiling a 3-6 record and 3.97 ERA with 67 strikeouts in 59 innings pitched across 12 games (10 starts).[2]
Villanueva and Glenn Woolard were traded to theMilwaukee Brewers on March 30, 2004, in exchange for pitchersWayne Franklin andLeo Estrella. Villanueva subsequently joined theBeloit Snappers, the Brewers' Single-A affiliate.[3][4]
As he worked his way through the Brewers'farm system, Villanueva was called up to the Brewers from Double-A Huntsville on May 22,2006. He made his Major League debut against theCincinnati Reds on May 23, 2006, pitching a scoreless inning.[citation needed] On July 15, 2006, Villanueva combined with fellowNashville Sounds pitchersMike Meyers andAlec Zumwalt to throw a combinedno-hitter against theMemphis Redbirds.[5] Villanueva was recalled again, making his first career major leaguestart for the Brewers against theCincinnati Reds.[citation needed]
After a successful 2006 campaign, Villanueva entered the2007spring training in competition for the Brewers fifth spot in the starting rotation. Despite pitching well, he lost the job toClaudio Vargas. Instead, managerNed Yost elected to put Villanueva into thebullpen as a middlerelief pitcher. Villanueva pitched well in his new role and was occasionally used as a long relief pitcher whenElmer Dessens was placed on theDL. On July 2, Villanueva had a 6–0win–loss record with a 2.64earned run average (ERA). Despite his record, Villanueva was accustomed to only being used as a starting pitcher, and had never appeared in more than 25 games in his professional career. Through July and August, he posted a 1-3 record with an ERA of over 9, perhaps a sign of being overworked. Despite his struggles, he was still being used as a middle relief pitcher. On August 20, after pitching 3 perfect innings against theArizona Diamondbacks and picking up his first careersave, he was optioned to the Triple-ANashville Sounds to make two starts to "polish up" for a September call up when the rosters expand.
Villanueva spent a short part of the2009 season as the closer whileTrevor Hoffman recovered on the disabled list;[6] however, after poor performances, the role was given toTodd Coffey instead.[7]
On December 3, 2010, Villanueva was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays for aplayer to be named later (cash).[8]
After starting the season in the bullpen for the Blue Jays, he was moved to a position in the starting rotation to fill in for open spots previously filled byBrett Cecil andJesse Litsch. On August 4, 2011, Villanueva was placed on the 15-daydisabled list with a right forearm strain. Villanueva was re-activated from the disabled list on August 31.Brian Tallet was designated for assignment to make room for Villanueva.[9] Villanueva began the 2012 season as the long reliever in the Jays' bullpen, but was promoted to a starter after numerous injuries to the pitching staff. After posting a 6-1 record, Villanueva left the team for personal reasons on August 5.J. A. Happ started in place of Villanueva.[10] He became a free agent following the season.
On December 19, 2012, it was reported that Villanueva had agreed a two-year, $10 million contract with theChicago Cubs.[11] The deal became official on January 26, 2013, more than a month after it was initially agreed upon.Lendy Castillo was designated for assignment to make room for Villanueva on the 40-man roster.Dale Sveum made Villanueva the Cubs fifth starter in their rotation.[12] His first game on April 6, a road game against theAtlanta Braves, resulted in a no decision.[13] He became a free agent following the 2014 season.
On February 4,2015, theSt. Louis Cardinals signed Villanueva to a minor league contract that included an invitation to spring training.[14] The Cardinals added him to their 40-man roster on March 30.[15] On June 27, he pitched the last three innings of an 8–1 victory over theCubs for his first save of the season,[16] and did so again on August 7 against theBrewers in a 6–0 win.[17] It was his fourth[16] and fifth career save of at least three innings. Villanueva pitched solely out of the bullpen in 2015 and was credited with a 4–3 record with two saves, 55 strikeouts, and 50 hits and 21 walks allowed. He posted career-bests in ERA (2.95) and inherited runners strand rate (80.5 percent); the WHIP (1.16), batting average on balls in play (.265) and batting average against (.220) were his best figures since his first MLB season with the Brewers.[18] He became a free agent following the season.
On January 13, 2016, theSan Diego Padres signed Villanueva to a one-year, $1.5 million contract.[18] In 51 appearances for San Diego, Villanueva registered a 2-2 record and 5.96 ERA with 61 strikeouts across 74 innings pitched.[19]
On February 24, 2017, Villanueva signed with theHanwha Eagles of theKBO League.[20] In 20 starts for the Eagles, he compiled a 5-7 record and 4.18 ERA with 68 strikeouts across 112 innings of work. Villanueva became a free agent following the season.
On February 5, 2025, Villanueva was hired as part of theMilwaukee Brewers' player development staff under the role of Special Assistant to the General Manager/Player Development.[21][22]
· Baseball Almanac
