| Neftalí Feliz | |
|---|---|
 Feliz with theDetroit Tigers in 2015 | |
| Free agent | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1988-05-02)May 2, 1988 (age 37) Azua,Dominican Republic | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| August 3, 2009, for the Texas Rangers | |
| MLB statistics (through 2021 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 21–20 |
| Earned run average | 3.55 |
| Strikeouts | 366 |
| Saves | 107 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Neftalí Feliz Antonio (/nɛfˈtɑːlifɛˈliːs/; born May 2, 1988) is aDominican professionalbaseballpitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theTexas Rangers,Detroit Tigers,Pittsburgh Pirates,Milwaukee Brewers,Kansas City Royals,Philadelphia Phillies, andLos Angeles Dodgers. Feliz won theAmerican League Rookie of the Year Award in 2010.
Feliz was signed by theAtlanta Braves as afree agent out of theDominican Republic on June 6, 2005. He made his professional debut with theGulf Coast League Braves in 2006, posting a 4.03 ERA in 11 appearances. He began the 2007 season with the rookie-levelDanville Braves, and logged a 1.98 ERA with 28 strikeouts in 271⁄3 innings of work.[1]
On July 31, 2007, Feliz was traded from the Braves to theTexas Rangers along withJarrod Saltalamacchia,Matt Harrison, Beau Jones, andElvis Andrus in exchange forMark Teixeira andRon Mahay. He finished the year with the Low-ASpokane Indians, logging a 3.60 ERA in 8 games. In 2008, he split the season between the Single-AClinton LumberKings and the Double-AFrisco RoughRiders, accumulating a 10–6 record and 2.69 ERA in 27 games with the two teams. He began the 2009 season with the Triple-AOklahoma City RedHawks, pitching to a 4–6 record and 3.49 ERA in 25 games.[2]
Feliz was called up to the major leagues for the first time on August 2, 2009.[3] He made his debut on August 3, striking out four in two scoreless innings.[4] Feliz finished the season with a 1–0 record and a 1.74earned run average (ERA) in 20 games, with 39strikeouts and twosaves, in 31 innings pitched.
Feliz was the Rangers' best prospect according toBaseball America, and one of the top five pitching prospects in baseball at the start of 2010.[5]
After two blown saves byFrank Francisco to start the2010 baseball season, Feliz replaced him as the Rangers'closer.[6] On July 4, 2010, he was named to his firstMLB All-Star Game. He was accompanied by teammatesVladimir Guerrero,Josh Hamilton,Ian Kinsler,Elvis Andrus, and the newly acquiredCliff Lee. However, Feliz did not pitch during the game.
On September 1, 2010, Feliz threw a fastball recorded at 103.4 mph, which at one point was the third fastest recorded pitch ever, behindAroldis Chapman andJoel Zumaya.[7] On September 25, 2010, he earned his 38th save of the season, breaking the single-season record for saves by a rookie. He would go on to finish the season with 40. (The previous record was held byKazuhiro Sasaki of theSeattle Mariners, with 37 in 2000.)
During Game 6 of the2010 American League Championship Series against theNew York Yankees, Feliz got the final three outs in the 9th inning and sent the Rangers to theWorld Series for the first time in franchise history. On October 30, 2010, he went three up, three down to close a 4–2 Rangers win in Game 3 of the World Series, making him the second youngest player to record a save in the World Series.[8] The Rangers lost the World Series to theSan Francisco Giants in 5 games.
On November 15, 2010, Feliz was awarded the 2010American League Rookie of the Year Award.[9] He was also named the closer onBaseball America's 2010 All-Rookie Team and theToppsMajor League Rookie All-Star Team.[10][11]
In 2011, Feliz was 2–3 with a 2.74 ERA and 32 saves (5th in the American League and tied for 9th-most in Rangers history).[12][13] During Game 6 of the2011 World Series, with two outs, two strikes, and two runners on, Feliz blew a save as he surrendered a 2-run triple toDavid Freese, who would then homer later to seal a Cardinals 10–9 win in the 11th inning.[14] The Rangers then lost their second straight World Series appearance after losing Game 7 to the Cardinals 6–2.
With the addition of veteran closerJoe Nathan, the Rangers transitioned Feliz into the starting rotation for the 2012 season. His first start came on April 10 against theSeattle Mariners. He pitched 7 shutout innings, only giving up 4 hits and 2 walks with 4 strikeouts in a 1–0 victory. On May 21, 2012, Feliz was placed on the 60-daydisabled list (DL) due to asprained ulnar collateral ligament. After several rehab appearances, Feliz underwentTommy John surgery on August 1, 2012.[15] In 8 games (7 starts), he went 3–1 with a 3.16 ERA during his injury-shortened 2012 year.
Feliz began the 2013 season on the 60-day DL, still recovering from Tommy John surgery. On September 1, he was activated from the DL with the intention to use him in low-leverage situations.[16] He pitched later that night in a lost cause to theMinnesota Twins, pitching1+2⁄3 innings of relief. Feliz finished the season with only six appearances in which he did not give up a run and struck-out four.[17]
Feliz opened the season as the Rangerssetup man. He became the closer again afterJoakim Soria was traded.[18] He saved 13 games by the end of the season for the Rangers despite only appearing in 30 games due to injury.
Feliz wasdesignated for assignment on July 3, 2015, after posting underwhelming stats and being on the DL for the third straight season.[19] He wasoutrighted off the roster on July 9 and elected to become afree agent.[20]
On July 11, 2015, Feliz signed a one-year contract with theDetroit Tigers.[21] He made his debut for the Tigers that day, pitching a scoreless ninth inning, allowing one hit and one strikeout.[22] After the season, on December 2, he wasnon-tendered, making him a free agent.[23]
On January 6, 2016, Feliz signed a one-year, $3.9 million contract with thePittsburgh Pirates.[24] Feliz appeared in 62 contests for the Pirates, pitching to a 4–2 record and 3.52 ERA with 61 strikeouts in 532⁄3 innings of work. He became a free agent after the season.
On January 19, 2017, Feliz signed a one-year contract with theMilwaukee Brewers.[25] Feliz was designated for assignment on June 14 after struggling to a 1–5 record and 6.00 ERA in 29 appearances. The Brewers released him on June 19.[26]
On June 22, 2017, Feliz signed a major league contract with theKansas City Royals.[27][28] Feliz posted a 4.74 ERA in 20 games before being released by Kansas City on September 1.[29]
On January 28, 2018, Feliz signed a minor league deal with theArizona Diamondbacks.[30] He spent the season with the Diamondbacks'Triple-A affiliate, theReno Aces, where he posted a 6–5 record and 4.81 ERA in 37 games with the team. He elected free agency following the season on November 2.[31]
On April 10, 2019, Feliz signed a minor league deal with theSeattle Mariners.[32] However, Feliz never appeared in a game for the organization, and spent the 2019 and 2020 seasons out of affiliated baseball.
On December 17, 2020, Feliz signed a minor league contract with thePhiladelphia Phillies.[33] He was assigned to the Triple-ALehigh Valley IronPigs to begin the 2021 season, where he recorded a 2–1 record and 1.26 ERA in 15 games. On June 25, 2021, Feliz was selected to the active roster.[34] On July 1, Feliz was designated for assignment by the Phillies after struggling to a 36.00 ERA across 2 appearances.[35] On July 3, Feliz elected free agency.[36]
On July 6, 2021, Feliz signed a minor league contract with theLos Angeles Dodgers organization.[37] He was assigned to the Triple-AOklahoma City Dodgers and was later added to the major league roster on August 16.[38] He pitched one scoreless inning for the Dodgers on August 22 before he was designated for assignment two days later.[39] On August 27, Feliz cleared waivers and was assigned outright to Triple-A.[1] He was called back up to the majors on September 6.[40] He pitched in two more games, on September 7 and 8, pitching two scoreless innings[41] before he was again designated for assignment on September 9 and then outrighted to Triple-A on September 11.[42] In Triple-A, he pitched26+2⁄3 innings over 20 games with a 4.73 ERA.[2] On October 14, Feliz elected free agency.[43]
On March 7, 2022, Feliz signed with theSultanes de Monterrey of theMexican League.[44] Feliz made 41 appearances for Monterrey, working to a 4-2 record and 2.89 ERA with 51 strikeouts and 24 saves in43+2⁄3 innings pitched. On February 17, 2023, Feliz was released by the Sultanes.[45]
On November 23, 2023, Feliz signed with theCaliente de Durango of theMexican League.[46] Operating as the team's closer, he posted a 3–0 record with a 1.38 ERA and 11 saves across 26 innings pitched to start the 2024 season.[2]
On July 5, 2024, Feliz was traded to theLeones de Yucatán of theMexican League for the rights to infielder Lázaro Alonso and pitcher Jesús Chávez.[47] In 9 games for Yucatán, he had an 0–1 record and 1.93 ERA with 7 strikeouts and 6 saves across9+1⁄3 innings pitched.
On September 20, 2024, Feliz was traded back to theCaliente de Durango alongsideFélix Doubront.[48]
On December 13, 2024, Feliz signed a minor league contract with theSeattle Mariners.[49] The team released him on March 14, 2025, prior to the start of the regular season.[50]
On April 17, 2025, Feliz re-signed with Durango.[51] He made one scoreless appearance for Durango, recording a strikeout against the only batter he faced. Feliz was released by the Caliente on May 15.[52]
