| Jesse Biddle | |
|---|---|
 Biddle with the Orix Buffaloes | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1991-10-22)October 22, 1991 (age 33) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
Batted: Left Threw: Left | |
| Professional debut | |
| MLB: April 21, 2018, for the Atlanta Braves | |
| NPB: March 26, 2022, for the Orix Buffaloes | |
| Last appearance | |
| MLB: May 16, 2021, for the Atlanta Braves | |
| NPB: August 31, 2022, for the Orix Buffaloes | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 6–2 |
| Earned run average | 5.07 |
| Strikeouts | 105 |
| NPB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 4-5 |
| Earned run average | 4.02 |
| Strikeouts | 45 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Jesse Thomas Biddle (born October 22, 1991) is an American former professionalbaseballpitcher. He was selected in the first round of the2010 MLB draft by thePhiladelphia Phillies and played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theAtlanta Braves,Seattle Mariners,Texas Rangers, andCincinnati Reds. He also played inNippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for theOrix Buffaloes.
Biddle grew up in theMount Airy neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,[1] and he attendedGermantown Friends School, aQuaker School in the neighboringGermantown neighborhood of Philadelphia. He competed in the Friends School League. As a junior, Biddle had a 5–0win–loss record with a 0.64earned run average (ERA) and 61strikeouts in 33innings pitched; in his senior year, he was 9–2 with a 1.04 ERA, striking out 140 batters in59+1⁄3 innings.[2]
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ThePhiladelphia Phillies selected Biddle in the first round, with the 27th overall pick, of the2010 Major League Baseball draft. Although he had committed to attend theUniversity of Oregon,[3] he agreed to a contract with the Phillies on June 10, with a signing bonus of $1.16 million.[4]
In his first season, he amassed a 3–1win–loss record, 4.32 ERA, 41 strikeouts, and 9walks in33+1⁄3 innings pitched for theGulf Coast League Phillies.[5] He also pitched in three games for theWilliamsport Crosscutters that year. In 2011, Biddle pitched for theLakewood BlueClaws where he was 7–8 with a 2.98 ERA in 25 games (24 starts).[6] That same year, Baseball America named Biddle the #2 prospect in the Phillies organization, and in 2012 Baseball America named Biddle the #1 prospect in the Phillies organization.[7] He spent 2012 with theClearwater Threshers where he posted a 10–6 record and 3.22 ERA in 26 starts.
On April 22, 2013, with theReading Fightin' Phils, Biddle posted 16 strikeouts in a game in Harrisburg against the Senators, breaking the previous record of 13 for his team.[8] He spent the whole season with Reading, going 5–14 with a 3.64 ERA in 27 starts. He began 2014 with Clearwater, and after two games where he was 2–0 with a 0.90 ERA, he was promoted back to Reading. In May of 2014, Biddle was hit byhail during a storm and dealt with headaches as a side effect, forcing him to miss a start for precautionary reasons.[9] It was later reported to have caused a concussion that Biddle struggled pitching with - in five starts following the incident, he had an 0-5 record and accrued a 9.82 ERA.[10] Phillies management were uncertain about the severity of the head injury but shut him down for a "mental break" in June.[11] He finished the season in Reading, compiling a 3–10 record and 5.03 ERA in 16 games started.
Biddle began 2015 with Reading and on July 7, 2015, he was promoted to theLehigh Valley IronPigs. The next day, he made his Lehigh Valley debut, giving up seven earned runs on five hits and six walks in2+1⁄3 innings pitched.[12] In 24 starts between the two teams, he was 9–6 with a 4.95 ERA and 1.66 WHIP. Following the 2015 season, Biddle underwentTommy John surgery.[13]
On February 3, 2016, the Phillies traded Biddle to thePittsburgh Pirates forYoervis Medina.[14] The Pirates designated him for assignment on March 11.[15] Biddle was claimed off waivers by theAtlanta Braves on March 19.[16] He did not pitch at all in 2016 due to his Tommy John surgery. He returned in 2017 and pitched for theMississippi Braves, compiling a 2–4 record and 2.90 ERA in 49.2 relief innings pitched.[17] He began 2018 with theGwinnett Stripers.
The Braves promoted Biddle to the major leagues on April 18, 2018.[18] He debuted in relief on April 21, throwing one inning against theNew York Mets, and earning the win.[19] Biddle recorded his first major league hit, a RBIdouble, against the Phillies on April 29, 2018, along with pitching two scoreless innings.[20] On May 15, 2019, he was designated for assignment after posting an ERA of 5.40 in11+2⁄3 innings.[21]
Biddle was traded to theSeattle Mariners along withArodys Vizcaino in exchange forAnthony Swarzak and cash considerations on May 20, 2019.[22] On June 23, he was designated for assignment.[23][24]
On June 28, 2019, Biddle was claimed off waivers by theTexas Rangers and formally placed on the roster on July 1, 2019.[25][26] Biddle was placed in the injured list on July 16 due to elbow inflammation, which ended his season.[27] Biddle was outrighted off the Rangers roster on October 31, 2019.
On January 17, 2020, Biddle signed a minor league contract with theCincinnati Reds. On August 25, 2020, Biddle's contract was selected to the active roster.[28] On October 14, 2020, Biddle was outrighted off of the 40-man roster.[29] He elected free agency two days later on October 16. On December 11, 2020, Biddle re-signed with the Reds on a minor league contract.[30] On March 26, 2021, Biddle was released by the Reds.[31]
On April 5, 2021, Biddle signed a minor league contract with theAtlanta Braves organization.[32] On April 17, Biddle was selected to the active roster.[33] After recording an 8.44 ERA in eight appearances, Biddle was designated for assignment on May 17.[34] He was outrighted to the Triple-AGwinnett Stripers on May 19.[35] He elected free agency on October 5.[36]
On December 17, 2021, Biddle signed with theOrix Buffaloes ofNippon Professional Baseball.[37] Biddle appeared in 35 games for Orix in 2022, pitching to a 4–5 record and 4.02 ERA with 45 strikeouts in 40.1 innings of work. He became a free agent following the season.
On January 24, 2023, Biddle signed a minor league contract with theArizona Diamondbacks organization.[38] He made 8 appearances for the Triple-AReno Aces, but struggled immensely to a 14.29 ERA with 6 strikeouts in 5.2 innings pitched. Biddle was released by the Diamondbacks on May 2.[39]
On June 3, 2023, Biddle announced his retirement from professional baseball.[40]
Biddle's main pitch is hisfour-seam fastball, which he can throw up to 94 miles per hour (151 km/h), and throws comfortably in the 90–93 mph range. He has achangeup and aslider, both of which he throws in the low 80s, a 12-to-6curveball in the low-to-mid 70s, and atwo-seam fastball in the mid-to-high 80s.[41]
Biddle grew up in Mount Airy with his parents, David and Marion, and his brothers, Sam and Conor.[42] He was a fan of the Phillies and attended the2008 World Series while in high school.[43]
Biddle and his wife Annie married in October 2021.[44]
Media related toJesse Biddle at Wikimedia Commons