| Christian Friedrich | |
|---|---|
 Friedrich on June 18, 2012 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1987-07-08)July 8, 1987 (age 38) Evanston, Illinois, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Left | |
| Professional debut | |
| MLB: May 9, 2012, for the Colorado Rockies | |
| KBO: July 12, 2019, for the NC Dinos | |
| Last appearance | |
| MLB: September 29, 2016, for the San Diego Padres | |
| KBO: September 25, 2019, for the NC Dinos | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 10–28 |
| Earned run average | 5.37 |
| Strikeouts | 246 |
| KBO statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 7-4 |
| Earned run average | 2.75 |
| Strikeouts | 56 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Christian Louis Patrick Friedrich (born July 8, 1987) is an American former professionalbaseballpitcher. He made hisMajor League Baseball (MLB) debut with theColorado Rockies in 2012 and also played with theSan Diego Padres. Friedrich also pitched in theKBO League for theNC Dinos.
Friedrich attendedLoyola Academy inWilmette, Illinois,[1] andEastern Kentucky University, where he played for theEastern Kentucky Colonels baseball team. He was named aBaseball America Freshman All-American in 2006.[2] In 2007, he playedcollegiate summer baseball with theFalmouth Commodores of theCape Cod Baseball League and was named a league all-star.[3][4][5] He was also named a second-team All-American in 2008.[6]
Friedrich was drafted by theColorado Rockies in the first round, with the 25th overall selection, of the2008 Major League Baseball Draft.[7]Baseball America ranked Friedrich as the #95 best prospect in baseball prior to the 2009 season[8] and the 33rd best prior to the 2010 season.[9]
The Rockies added Friedrich to their 40-man roster after the 2011 season to protect him from theRule 5 draft.[10] He was called up on May 7, 2012, to make his major league debut against theSan Diego Padres on May 9, 2012. On August 3, it was announced that an MRI revealed a stress fracture in his lower back, ending his season. Friedrich was 5–8 with a 6.17earned run average in 16 starts, and had 74 strikeouts in84+2⁄3 innings.[11]
Coloradodesignated Friedrich for assignment on January 28, 2016.[12] He was claimed by theLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim on February 5.On February 19, the claim was reversed, and Friedrich was sent back to the Rockies.[13]
Friedrich signed with theSan Diego Padres on March 3, 2016. The Padres promoted him to the major leagues on May 13.[14] In a debut game against theArizona Diamondbacks, center fielderChris Owings shot a fastball straight back up the middle, knocking off Friedrich's glove. The left-hander raced over to the ball and made the bare-handed toss to first for the out.[15]
In a game against his former team, theColorado Rockies, on Saturday, September 10, 2016, Friedrich led the Padres to a 6–3 victory while striking out a career-high tying 10 batters. Friedrich shrugged off a 109-mphDJ LeMahieu line drive that drilled him in the left leg during the third inning to work seven shutout innings.
Friedrich became a free agent on October 30, 2017, after the team outrighted him due to sustained injuries.[16]
On March 26, 2019, Friedrich signed with theNew Britain Bees of the independentAtlantic League of Professional Baseball. In 11 starts for the Bees, he posted a 5–1 record and 3.00 ERA with 63 strikeouts across 63 innings pitched.
On July 2, 2019, Friedrich's contract was purchased by theNC Dinos of theKBO League.[17] He became a free agent following the season.
On November 5, 2019, Friedrich re-signed with theNew Britain Bees. However, following their move to theFutures Collegiate Baseball League, he was selected by theSomerset Patriots in the Bees dispersal draft.
On February 25, 2020, Friedrich signed a minor league contract with theChicago White Sox. He did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of theCOVID-19 pandemic.[18] Friedrich was released by the organization on June 18.[19]
On June 29, 2021, Friedrich signed with theLexington Legends of theAtlantic League of Professional Baseball.[20] In 3 appearances for Lexington, he registered a 6.17 ERA and 12 strikeouts over11+2⁄3 innings.
On August 7, 2021, Friedrich was traded to theChicago Dogs of theAmerican Association of Professional Baseball in exchange for two players to be named later and cash considerations.[21] Friedrich appeared in 6 games for Chicago to close out the year, logging a 3–1 record and 4.21 ERA with 30 strikeouts in36+1⁄3 innings pitched. On April 19, 2022, Friedrich was released by the team.[22]
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