| Ernesto Frieri | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Frieri with the Pittsburgh Pirates | |||||||||||||||
| Pitcher | |||||||||||||||
| Born: (1985-07-19)July 19, 1985 (age 40) Arjona,Colombia | |||||||||||||||
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |||||||||||||||
| MLB debut | |||||||||||||||
| September 26, 2009, for the San Diego Padres | |||||||||||||||
| Last MLB appearance | |||||||||||||||
| July 3, 2017, for the Texas Rangers | |||||||||||||||
| MLB statistics | |||||||||||||||
| Win–loss record | 11–14 | ||||||||||||||
| Earned run average | 3.59 | ||||||||||||||
| Strikeouts | 387 | ||||||||||||||
| Saves | 73 | ||||||||||||||
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |||||||||||||||
| Teams | |||||||||||||||
Medals
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Ernesto Frieri Gutiérrez [free-eh'-ree] (born July 19, 1985) is a Colombian former professionalbaseballrelief pitcher. He played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theSan Diego Padres,Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim,Pittsburgh Pirates,Tampa Bay Rays, andTexas Rangers.
Frieri was signed by scouts Robert Rowley and Marical DelValle. He began his professional career in 2005, splitting the season between theAZL Padres andLake Elsinore Storm. For the AZL Padres, he went 7–1 with a 1.17earned run average (ERA) in 17 games in five starts. In 461⁄3innings pitched, hestruck out 59 batters. In two relief appearances with the Storm, he went 0–0 with a 2.70 ERA.
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In 2006, Frieri split the season between theEugene Emeralds,Fort Wayne Wizards andLake Elsinore Storm. With the Emeralds, he went 3–3 with a 3.82 ERA in 27 appearances in one start. In one game with the Wizards he had a 9.00 ERA, and in two games with the Storm he had a 6.00 ERA.
In 2007, Frieri played for the Wizards, appearing in 40 games, and Storm, appearing in 13 games, going a combined 2–2 with a 1.98 ERA and 92 strikeouts in 861⁄3 innings. In 2008, he played for the Storm, the Double-ASan Antonio Missions and the Triple-APortland Beavers. He went 8–6 with a 4.00 ERA in 33 games, appearing in 18 starts with the Storm. With the Missions, he went 1–0 with a 4.09 ERA in two games, and with the Beavers he went 1–0 with a 1.50 ERA in one game.[citation needed]
Frieri had a break-out year in 2009 playing for the Missions and the Padres. With the Missions, he went 10–9 with a 3.59 ERA with 118strikeouts in 1401⁄3 innings pitched appearing in 27 games, 26 for starts. He made theTexas League All-Star team and on July 27 was named as the Texas League Pitcher of the Week. On September 14 he andLuis Durango were called up to the Major Leagues.[1][2] He made his Major League debut on September 26 against theArizona Diamondbacks, pitching one inning ofno-run ball and throwing two strikeouts. Frieri finished the 2009 season appearing in two games without giving up a run.
In 2010, Frieri made 33 appearances, sporting an ERA of 1.71 with 41 strikeouts. He became a permanent bullpen piece in 2011, appearing in 59 games for the Padres.[citation needed]
Frieri's pitching repertoire consists of afour-seam fastball (90–94 mph), which is his primary pitch, as well as abreaking ball (77–80) that is referred to variously as acurveball[3] or aslider.[4]
On May 3, 2012, the Padres traded Frieri to theLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim for second basemanAlexi Amarista and minor league pitcherDonn Roach.[5] Frieri earned his first career save on May 23, 2012 against theOakland Athletics.[citation needed] On September 25, 2012, Frieri was one of five pitchers (Zack Greinke,Garrett Richards,Scott Downs,Kevin Jepsen) to combine for 20 strikeouts in a nine-inning game, tying a Major League Baseball record. For the season, Frieri notched 23 saves while striking out 80 batters in 54.1 innings for the Angels.[citation needed]
Frieri became the full-time closer for the Angels in 2013. He had a 3.80 ERA and recorded 37 saves,[6] despite allowing 11 home runs.
On April 25, 2014, Frieri was pulled from the closer role in favor ofJoe Smith after multiple poor outings.[7] After a few questionable outings from Smith, Frieri and Smith began splitting the role. Through late June 2014, Frieri had an ERA of 6.39[8] and allowed eight home runs in 31 innings.
On June 27, 2014, Frieri was traded to thePittsburgh Pirates in exchange for relief pitcherJason Grilli.[9]
Frieri did not recover his control, as he surrendered 12 runs in 10.2 innings for the Pirates and was designated for assignment on August 8, 2014, then outrighted to Triple-A Indianapolis Indians on August 13. On September 8, Frieri was released.[10]
On November 26, 2014, Frieri signed a one-year deal with theTampa Bay Rays.[11] On June 2, Frieri was designated for assignment by the Rays after once again suffering through bouts of extreme inconsistency. In 23.1 innings, Frieri struck out 19 while permitting 11 walks and 20 hits.[12] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-ADurham Bulls on June 5. He became a free agent following the season on October 5.
On December 14, 2015, Frieri signed a minor league deal with thePhiladelphia Phillies.[13] He was released on April 5, 2016.[14] Frieri took off the 2016 season to work on his pitching mechanics.[15]
Frieri pitched in the2017 World Baseball Classic for theColombian national baseball team. After Colombia's elimination, On March 16, 2017, he signed a minor league contract with theNew York Yankees.[16] He exercised his opt out clause and became a free agent on June 4.
On June 6, 2017, Frieri signed a minor league contract with theTexas Rangers.[17] He had his contract purchased on June 17, 2017. After allowing six runs in seven innings, Frieri was designated for assignment on July 4, 2017.[18] On July 8, Frieri was outrighted to Triple-A.[19]
On August 8, 2017, Frieri was traded to theSeattle Mariners in exchange for $1.[20] He elected free agency on October 2.
On January 18, 2018, Frieri signed a minor league deal with theMilwaukee Brewers.[21] He was released on March 18.[22]
On April 5, 2018, Frieri signed with theAcereros de Monclova of theMexican League.[23] He was released on April 21, without appearing in a game.
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