| David Purcey | |
|---|---|
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1982-04-22)April 22, 1982 (age 43) St. Charles, Illinois, U.S. | |
Batted: Left Threw: Left | |
| Professional debut | |
| MLB: April 18, 2008, for the Toronto Blue Jays | |
| CPBL: March 26, 2015, for the Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions | |
| Last appearance | |
| MLB: September 20, 2013, for the Chicago White Sox | |
| CPBL: April 26, 2015, for the Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 7–13 |
| Earned run average | 4.98 |
| Strikeouts | 174 |
| CPBL statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 0–1 |
| Earned run average | 4.87 |
| Strikeouts | 19 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
David Kent Purcey (born April 22, 1982) is an American former professionalbaseballpitcher. He played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theToronto Blue Jays,Oakland Athletics,Detroit Tigers, andChicago White Sox, and in theChinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) for theUni-President 7-Eleven Lions.
Purcey attendedhigh school atTrinity Christian Academy inAddison, Texas, and then attended theUniversity of Oklahoma, where he played for the Sooners baseball team. In 2003, he playedcollegiate summer baseball with theOrleans Cardinals of theCape Cod Baseball League and was named a league all-star.[1][2]
Purcey originally wasdrafted in the2001 MLB draft by theSeattle Mariners in the 20th round. He then was drafted again by theNew York Yankees in the 17th round of the2003 MLB draft, and finally drafted once again by Toronto in the first round (16th overall) during the2004 MLB draft.[3]
Purcey made his major league debut on April 18, 2008, starting against theDetroit Tigers and allowing oneearned run over4+1⁄3 innings.[4] He was returned to the minor leagues after two major league appearances, but was recalled to the Blue Jays in July, and ended the 2008 season in the team's starting rotation. On August 27, 2008, Purcey started against theTampa Bay Rays and pitched his first career major league complete game. He recorded 11 strikeouts and scattered five hits through eight innings of work.[5]
Followingspring training 2009, Purcey earned the third spot in the rotation, but switched spots withJesse Litsch to separate the left-handers.[6] Purcey was second in the rotation until May 1, 2009, when he was assigned to the Toronto Blue JaysAAA affiliateLas Vegas 51s. Purcey went on to split the remainder of the season between the Blue Jays and Las Vegas. He posted a record of 1–3 and a 6.19ERA in nine starts with Toronto in 2009.[3] He often struggled with his command, which improved somewhat with Las Vegas.
On May 24, 2010, Purcey was recalled by Toronto and moved to the bullpen as a relief pitcher afterDana Eveland was designated for assignment.[7] On July 26, 2010, Purcey recorded his first major leaguesave against theBaltimore Orioles in a 9–5 win.[8]
He was designated for assignment on April 12, 2011.
On April 18, 2011, Purcey was traded to theOakland Athletics in exchange for minor league relief pitcherDanny Farquhar.[9][10] Purcey was acquired after injuries toRich Harden andDallas Braden.[10]
On May 27, 2011, Purcey was traded to theDetroit Tigers forScott Sizemore.[11] Purcey was designated for assignment on August 2, he cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-AToledo Mud Hens on August 10 .[12] He elected free agency following the season on November 2.
On December 9, 2011, Purcey signed a minor league contract with thePhiladelphia Phillies. He also received an invitation to spring training.[13] Purcey spent the year with Triple-ALehigh Valley, going 1–4 with a 4.37 ERA in 47 games (one start) while striking out 63 in 57.2 innings pitched.[14] He became a free agent following the season on November 2.
On November 21, 2012, Purcey signed a minor league deal with theChicago White Sox.[15] He started the 2013 season with the Triple–ACharlotte Knights. On July 3, 2013, his contract was purchased by the White Sox to replaceJesse Crain who was placed on thedisabled list.[16] While with the White Sox, Purcey suffered a strainedulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow during the last week of the 2013 season. He was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to Charlotte on October 18.[17] Purcey subsequently rejected the assignment and elected free agency.[18]
The White Sox re–signed Purcey to a minor league contract that included an invitation to spring training on November 8, 2013.[19] In 12 games for Charlotte in 2014, he posted an 0–2 record and 4.58 ERA with 15 strikeouts and 2saves across19+2⁄3 innings pitched. On May 12, 2014, Purcey was released by the White Sox organization.[20]
On July 18, 2014, Purcey signed with theSomerset Patriots of theAtlantic League of Professional Baseball. He became a free agent following the season. He appeared in 9 games (7 starts) 39.2 innings going 3-0 with a 2.72 ERA with 36 strikeouts.
On March 2, 2015, Purcey signed with theUni-President 7-Eleven Lions of theChinese Professional Baseball League. He was released on May 31.
· Baseball Almanac