| Gerardo Concepción | |
|---|---|
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1992-02-29)February 29, 1992 (age 33) Havana, Cuba | |
Batted: Left Threw: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| June 21, 2016, for the Chicago Cubs | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| June 26, 2016, for the Chicago Cubs | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 0–0 |
| Earned run average | 3.86 |
| Strikeouts | 2 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Gerardo Concepción Pérez (born February 29, 1992) is aCuban former professionalbaseballpitcher. After competing in the2010–11 Cuban National Series, winning the Rookie of the Year Award, hedefected to Mexico in order to become an MLB free agent. He pitched in MLB for theChicago Cubs in 2016.
Concepción debuted in theCuban National Series with the 2010–11Industriales. In his rookie season, Concepción finished with a 10–3win–loss record and a 3.36earned run average (ERA) in 21 games pitched, including 16 games started.[1] He placed among the league leaders in wins (finishing tied for sixth withYosvani Torres), winning percentage (finishing second, behindNorberto González) and ERA (finishing ninth, betweenMiguel Alfredo González andDalier Hinojosa). For his debut season, he was named theCuban National Series Rookie of the Year.[1]
Concepción defected from Cuba while inRotterdam, Netherlands, where theCuban national baseball team was participating in theWorld Port Tournament in June 2011, the same tournament whereAroldis Chapman defected from Cuba in 2009. Concepción established residency inMexico andMajor League Baseball declared him afree agent in January 2012.[1]
Concepción agreed to sign with theChicago Cubs on February 2, 2012, pending a physical.[2] The deal, worth $6 million over five years, became official on March 11.[3] The Cubs removed Concepción from the 40-man roster and sent him outright to theKane County Cougars of theSingle-AMidwest League on December 21.[4] The Cubs assigned Concepción to theArizona Fall League following the 2014 season.[5] He began the 2015 season with theMyrtle Beach Pelicans of theHigh-ACarolina League.[6] Concepción began the 2016 season with theTennessee Smokies of theDouble-ASouthern League, and was promoted to theIowa Cubs of theTriple-APacific Coast League.[7]
Concepción was promoted to the major leagues for the first time on June 21, 2016. He struck out the first batter he faced in his debut that night.[8] He made three appearances in 2016 with a 3.86 ERA. The Cubs eventually won the2016 World Series, ending their 108-year drought. Concepción was not present during the playoffs, but was still on the 40-man roster at the time and won his first World Series title.[9] The Cubsnon-tendered Concepción on December 2, making him a free agent.[10] He was released by the Cubs organization on May 6, 2017.[11]
During his career Concepción was 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m) tall and slender. He threw afastball, which registered in the low 90s (miles per hour), and he also featured acurveball and achange-up. In his pitching motion, he threw across his body, which created deception in his delivery, but would prevent him from being consistent.[12]
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| Preceded by | Cuban National Series Rookie of the Year 2010–11 | Succeeded by |