| Jake Diekman | |
|---|---|
 Diekman with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2012 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1987-01-21)January 21, 1987 (age 38) Wymore, Nebraska, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| May 15, 2012, for the Philadelphia Phillies | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| July 28, 2024, for the New York Mets | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 27–34 |
| Earned run average | 3.91 |
| Strikeouts | 764 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Jacob Tanner Diekman (born January 21, 1987) is an American former professionalbaseballpitcher and current coach. He played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for thePhiladelphia Phillies,Texas Rangers,Arizona Diamondbacks,Kansas City Royals,Oakland Athletics,Boston Red Sox,Chicago White Sox,Tampa Bay Rays, andNew York Mets.
With the Phillies, Diekman began as astarting pitcher and progressed through a few levels of the Phillies'farm system in his first two years in that role, before adjusting his mechanics and lowering his arm slot to throwsidearm out of the bullpen, as arelief pitcher. The adjustment worked and helped him move through the remaining levels of the Phillies' farm system. In 2012, Diekman made his major league debut. Over the next two seasons, he split time between the major league Phillies and theirTriple-A affiliate, theLehigh Valley IronPigs, though while he was with the major league team, he was considered one of the "lone bright spots" in both 2012 and 2013. Diekman throws a fastball in the upper-90s (mph), aslider, and an occasionalchangeup.
Diekman was born to Paul and Billie Diekman, in 1987. He has one brother, Brian. The Diekmans lived inWymore, Nebraska, where Jake attended Southern High School. His alma mater was too small to field a baseball team, so he instead focused on golf. Eventually, Diekman joined anAmerican Legion baseball team, playing in the summer with other players from Wymore and several surrounding towns, which he called "the best experience of my life ... so much fun."[1][2] Concurrently, Diekman worked full-time at a lawn mower factory, to earn money to pursue a post-secondary education.[2]
After graduating from high school, Diekman enrolled atDoane College, pitching one season for the school's ball team. He then transferred toCloud County Community College, in Kansas. Following Diekman's sophomore season, he attended a junior college baseball showcase at which, with a fastball well over 90 miles per hour (140 km/h), Diekman drew much interest. He received a full scholarship offer fromNebraska, which he would have accepted, had the Phillies not drafted him in the2007 Major League Baseball Draft's 30th round.[1]
Between 2007 and 2010, Diekman pitched in the lower levels of thePhiladelphia Phillies' Minor League system initially as a starter, and subsequently as a reliever. Although he initially saw success in 2007, posting a 2.72 ERA in 10 starts with the rookie-levelGulf Coast League Phillies and Low-AWilliamsport Crosscutters, he struggled in 2008, posting an ERA of 5.09 in 27 starts, split between Williamsport and the Single-ALakewood BlueClaws.[3] At the conclusion of both 2008 and 2009, he pitched in theFlorida Instructional League to continue honing his skills on the mound.[4]
Diekman converted from astarting pitcher to areliever in 2009, along with several other Phillies pitching prospects.[5] Around that time, he also, at the suggestion of the same minor league pitching coaches who converted him to relief, lowered his release point to his current low angle.[6] Success did not manifest itself immediately, as he still posted a 4.04 ERA in 2009, his first season in relief, but in 2010, he cut his ERA to 2.91 while splitting time between Lakewood and theClearwater Threshers, the Phillies' High-A affiliate. At the end of the 2010 season, he played for theMesa Solar Sox in theArizona Fall League.[4] He spent the 2011 season with the Double-AReading Phillies, accruing a 0–1 record and a 3.05 ERA and threesaves in 53 games. Thereafter, the Phillies added him to their40-man roster to protect him from theRule 5 draft.[7]
After receiving praise from Phillies'pitching coachRich Dubee for his performance in spring training,[8] Diekman opened the 2012 season with the Triple-ALehigh Valley IronPigs. With Lehigh Valley, he posted a 1–0 record and a 0.59 ERA with five saves in 13 games in the season's first month. Diekman was added to the Phillies' 25-man Major League roster on May 11, and four days later recorded a win against theHouston Astros in his MLB debut.[9] He finished the year an established lefty specialist, and had a 3.95 ERA, though walked 6.6 batters per 9 innings, and was erratic in his control.[10]
Entering 2013, Diekman was expected to be a key part of the Phillies bullpen after his success in 2012, however he did not break camp with the big league club, beginning the season in Triple-A. In Triple-A, he struggled, which delayed his arrival to the major league team until June. While with the big league club, he continued his dominance of left-handed hitters, however was not as good against right-handed hitters (a 150-point differential in opponent batting average and over 300 point differential inOn-base plus slugging (OPS)). Diekman improved his control, which made him a presumptive member of the 2014 bullpen, as he was one of 2013's "lone bright spots" for the otherwise dismal Phillies' bullpen.[11] Ultimately, he did make the Phillies' opening day roster as a member of the bullpen.[12]
Early in the season, Diekman emerged as a reliable reliever in the Phillies'bullpen, and was used extensively by managerRyne Sandberg.[13] As the season progressed, Diekman was more successful against left-handed hitters than right-handed hitters, but was used against both in a variety of situations.[14] On September 1, 2014, Diekman was one of four pitchers who combined for a no-hitter in the Phillies' 7–0 win over theAtlanta Braves inTurner Field.[15] By the end of the season, the Phillies had one of the best bullpens in the league, and it consisted predominantly of young players such as Diekman. There was excitement from both Phillies' personnel and writers that the bullpen could remain solid for a long time because of young pitchers such as Diekman,Ken Giles, andJustin De Fratus.[16][17][18] Moreover, Diekman and Giles had potential asclosers should the Phillies tradeJonathan Papelbon.[19] Overall, Diekman emerged as a name to be mentioned among the "elite" relievers of the National League, but was overused against right-handed batters, which hurt his statistics.[20]
On July 31, 2015, Diekman was traded to theTexas Rangers along withCole Hamels in exchange forMatt Harrison,Nick Williams,Jorge Alfaro,Jake Thompson,Alec Asher, andJerad Eickhoff. He became an important bullpen piece in the Rangers' run to the playoffs in 2016.[21][22] Diekman and the Rangers agreed to a one-year deal worth $1.225 million on January 29, 2016, and avoided arbitration.[23] Diekman finished the 2016 season with a 4–2 record, 4 saves and a 3.40 ERA in 66 appearances.[24] On January 25, 2017, Diekman underwent surgery for chroniculcerative colitis.[25] He only made 11 appearances towards the end of the season. In 2018, fully healthy, Diekman posted an ERA of 3.69 in 47 games. He struck out 48 batters in 39 innings.
On July 31, 2018, Diekman was traded to theArizona Diamondbacks forWei-Chieh Huang and Joshua Javier.[26] The trade took place while the Diamondbacks and Rangers were facing off in a two-game series in Arizona. Diekman struggled after being acquired by Arizona, posting an ERA of 7.53 in 24 appearances. Diekman became afree agent following the 2018 season.
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On February 13, 2019, Diekman signed a one-year contract with a mutual option for 2020 with theKansas City Royals. The deal was worth a reported $2.75 million guaranteed, plus performance incentives.[27] In 48 relief appearances with the 2019 Royals, Diekman accrued a 4.75 ERA and an 0–6 record while striking out 63 batters in41+2⁄3 innings.
On July 27, 2019, the Royals traded Diekman to theOakland Athletics for Ismael Aquino and Dairon Blanco.[28] On September 6, Diekman pitched in asuspended game between the Athletics andDetroit Tigers that originally started on May 19, allowing a double in a scoreless inning. This appearance was recorded on the original game date of May 19, when Diekman threw an inning of relief for the Royals against theLos Angeles Angels. Diekman thus accomplished the rare feat of having pitched for two different teams on the same day, statistically. For the 2019 season, he tied for the major league lead in holds (31).[29] In 28 games for the A's, Diekman struck out 21 in20+1⁄3 innings.
Diekman became a free agent following the 2019 season after the Athletics declined his contract option. On December 3, 2019, Diekman re-signed with Oakland on a two-year contract.[30] In the 2020 shortened season, Diekman only allowed 2 runs in21+1⁄3 innings.
On March 16, 2022, Diekman signed a two-year contract with a club option for 2024 with theBoston Red Sox.[31] In 44 relief appearances through the end of July, he compiled a 5–1 record and a 4.23 ERA while striking out 51 batters in38+1⁄3 innings.[32][33]
On August 1, 2022, Diekman was traded to theChicago White Sox for catcherReese McGuire and Taylor Broadway.[34] In 26 relief appearances through the end of the season, Diekman compiled an 0–3 record with a 6.52 ERA while striking out 28 batters in19+1⁄3 innings.[33]
In 2023, Diekman made 13 appearances for the White Sox, struggling immensely to a 7.94 ERA with 11 strikeouts in11+1⁄3 innings pitched. On May 2, 2023, Diekman was designated for assignment by Chicago.[35] He was released by the team on May 6.[36]
On May 10, 2023, Diekman signed a one-year, major league deal with theTampa Bay Rays.[37] In 50 relief appearances for the Rays, he recorded a 2.18 ERA with 53 strikeouts across45+1⁄3 innings of work. He became a free agent following the season.
On February 6, 2024, Diekman signed a one-year, $4 million contract with theNew York Mets.[38][39] The deal included a vesting option for the 2025 season.[39] In 43 appearances for the Mets, he compiled a 5.63 ERA with 40 strikeouts and 4 saves over 32 innings of work. On July 29, Diekman was designated for assignment by the Mets.[40] He was then released by the team on August 3.[41]
On February 11, 2025, Diekman signed a minor league contract with theAtlanta Braves organization.[42] He was released prior to the start of the season on March 19.[43]
On April 22, 2025, Diekman signed with theLincoln Saltdogs of theAmerican Association of Professional Baseball.[44] Appearing in four games as a reliever, he pitched to a 3.00 ERA over three total innings of work, giving up one run while striking out seven batters. On May 23, Diekman announced his retirement from professional baseball.[45]
In spring 2025, following his retirement, Diekman was retained by the Saltdogs, taking a position as a coach.
"Diekman's rise in the Phillies system commenced once he adjusted his mechanics to throw side-arm. His 96.3-m.p.h. average fastball velocity this season ranks among the fastest of all relievers. His 27 strikeouts were fourth entering the weekend. His skill-set - a funky lefthanded delivery with dominant stuff - could create a lengthy career."
Alefty specialist, Diekman throws afastball in the mid-90s, aslider at 78–81, and an occasional changeup to right-handed hitters.[46][47] His fastball is among the fastest of left-handed relievers in the major leagues.[2] Like most left-handed pitchers, particularly those who throw out of an arm angle similar to Diekman's, he is tough on left-handed hitters. In 2013, he held lefties to just a .368 OPS, though allowed a .765 OPS to right-handed hitters. Despite suggestions he remain a lefty specialist,[48] he emerged in 2014 as a favoritemiddle reliever for managerRyne Sandberg against both righties and lefties.[49] In 2020, Diekman creditedRob Friedman with helping improve his slider grip throughTwitter, increasing the horizontal break on his slider substantially.[50]
Diekman's mother, Billie, died at age 57 just months before the Phillies drafted him. Diekman describes his father Paul as his "best friend", and one who has helped him cope with his mother's death.[2] His mother was Diekman's "biggest fan" and had to order her husband to stop pacing and watch Diekman pitch. Diekman has sought therapy to cope with the loss of his mother, and meditates and thinks about her during "The Star-Spangled Banner" prior to each game.[2]
"(After his mother's death) Diekman started to appreciate the little things. The game slowed down when he had fun. He invoked his mother's spirit rather than avoiding it. 'The drive and determination she had for all the projects she did, how hard she worked, the dedication she had for her job,' Diekman said. 'It really paid off. It really came to me. I thought, 'If I have a job, I want to put in the time and dedication like she did.' ' That is how Billie Diekman's legacy perseveres. It is why a young man from tiny Wymore, Neb., will cherish Sunday's rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" at a baseball stadium..."
— Excerpt from "Phillies' Diekman Holds Memory of His Mother Close", by Matt Gelb,The Philadelphia Inquirer, May 11, 2014[2]
Away from baseball, Diekman holds anassociate's degree inbusiness administration from Cloud County Community College. He enjoys listening to music, working out, playing golf, and long walks on the beach. He resides inBeatrice, Nebraska, during the offseason.[4] Because of his struggles withulcerative colitis, he started a non-profit association called Gut It Out to benefit others who struggle with the disease.[51]
| Preceded by | No-hit game September 1, 2014 (withHamels,Giles, &Papelbon) | Succeeded by |