| Joe Saunders | |
|---|---|
 Saunders with the Texas Rangers | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1981-06-16)June 16, 1981 (age 44) Fairfax, Virginia, U.S. | |
Batted: Left Threw: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| August 16, 2005, for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 26, 2014, for the Baltimore Orioles | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 89–86 |
| Earned run average | 4.37 |
| Strikeouts | 792 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Joseph Francis Saunders (born June 16, 1981) is an American former professionalbaseballpitcher. Saunders pitched inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim,Arizona Diamondbacks,Baltimore Orioles,Seattle Mariners, andTexas Rangers.
Saunders playedcollege baseball atVirginia Tech, where he compiled a 27–7 career record. His 27wins tie him for third place in most career wins in school history. His accomplishments as a Hokie earned him a place in theVirginia Tech Sports Hall of Fame. In 2001, he playedcollegiate summer baseball with theHarwich Mariners of theCape Cod Baseball League and was named a league all-star.[1][2][3]
He was drafted in the first round (12th overall) by the then Anaheim Angels in2002. After being promoted to Single-ACedar Rapids in 2002, he missed the entire2003 season due to an injury in his left shoulder. He returned to the game with Single-ARancho Cucamonga in2004 and went 9–7 with a 3.41ERA. He was promoted to Double-AArkansas in 2004 and recorded a 7–4 record with twocomplete games in2005. Later in 2005, he was promoted to Triple-ASalt Lake. In 2005, he was a combined 10–7 with three complete games, including twoshutouts, earning honors as the Angels Organization's Pitcher of the Year. He was named #37 of the top 50 minor league baseball players in 2006 by Minor League News.[4]
Saunders made his major league debut on August 16, 2005, against theToronto Blue Jays, receiving ano decision aftercloserFrancisco Rodríguezblew the save in a 4–3 loss for the Angels. He was sent back down to Salt Lake, but recalled on September 6 to start against theSeattle Mariners on September 14. Once again, he received a no-decision in a 10–9 defeat and was optioned to Salt Lake. Though he was not placed on the playoff roster, he was re-signed by the Angels to a one-year contract. AfterBartolo Colón was placed on thedisabled list during the2006 season, Saunders was recalled a final time and replaced Colon in the rotation. Before Saunders received his firstloss, he compiled a 4–0 record. He ended the season with a 7–3 record and a 4.71 ERA.
Saunders began the2007 season in the rotation while Colon remained on the disabled list. As the only active major league player at the time from Virginia Tech, Saunders received special permission to wear a Virginia Tech cap during the April 20, 2007, game against the Seattle Mariners to honor the victims of theVirginia Tech massacre. He also wore the initials "VT" on his cleats and drew the Virginia Tech logo on the back of the pitcher's mound before the start of the game. He picked up the win after pitching six shutout innings.[5] He was optioned to the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees on April 21, 2007, to make room for Colon's return. Saunders made two spot starts for when a pitcher on the Angel's normal rotation was injured: for Colon (triceps tendinitis) on June 2, 2007, against theBaltimore Orioles and forJered Weaver (bruised shoulder) on June 22, 2007, against thePittsburgh Pirates. He was called up for a third time on July 21, 2007, to replaceErvin Santana in the starting rotation when Santana was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake.
In2008, Saunders enteredspring training in a competition with Santana for the role of 5th starter in the Angels rotation. After the Angels' co-acesJohn Lackey andKelvim Escobar sustained injuries, both Saunders and Santana were promoted to full-time roles as the 3rd and 4th starter, respectively. In the first third of the season, both players shone brightly, with both being considered early candidates for theAmerican League Cy Young Award. On June 3, 2008, Saunders became the American League's first 9-game winner in a 5–4 victory over division rivals the Seattle Mariners. Saunders gave up only one earned run, lowering his ERA to 3rd best in the American League in the process. Saunders also then became the first American League pitcher to get 11 wins, giving up only twoearned runs to thePhiladelphia Phillies on June 21, 2008. Following the 2008 season, Saunders was asked to join theUSA Baseball team for the2009 World Baseball Classic. However, he declined the request.
Saunders was the opening day pitcher for the Angels in the 2009 season. On May 9, 2009, he pitched his first major league complete game shutout against theKansas City Royals. From 2008 to 2009, Saunders compiled 33 wins.
On July 25, 2010, Saunders was traded to theArizona Diamondbacks in exchange forDan Haren. Three minor league pitchers, left handersPatrick Corbin andTyler Skaggs and right handerRafael Rodríguez also went to Arizona.[6][7] He made 13 starts for Arizona, posting a 3-7 record and 4.25 ERA with 50 strikeouts across82+2⁄3 innings pitched.
Saunders made 33 starts for the Diamondbacks during the 2011 campaign, compiling a 12-13 record and 3.69 ERA with 108 strikeouts over 212 innings of work. On December 12, 2011, Saunders was non-tendered and became a free agent.[8]
On January 17, 2012, Saunders re-signed with the Diamondbacks on a one-year, $6 million contract.[9] In 21 starts for Arizona, he posted a 6-10 record and 4.22 ERA with 89 strikeouts over 130 innings of work.
On August 26, 2012, Saunders was traded to theBaltimore Orioles forMatt Lindstrom.[10] He finished 3–3 in seven starts for the O's. Saunders was the winning pitcher when the Orioles defeated theTexas Rangers in the inauguralWild Card Game, pitching5+2⁄3 innings with four strikeouts. He became a free agent following the season.
On February 12, 2013, Saunders agreed to a one-year contract with theSeattle Mariners.[11] Over his first six weeks of the season, he pitched very well at home inSafeco Field and extremely poorly in his road outings. This pattern coupled with previous good numbers at Safeco Field earned him the slightly pejorative sobriquet "Safeco Joe."[12] Although he pitched slightly better at home than on the road, his home ERA was at 4.99 in 13 starts, while on the road his ERA was 5.45 in 19 starts. Saunders finished with a record of 11-16 and a 5.26 ERA for the M's.
On March 4, 2014, Saunders signed a one-year contract with theTexas Rangers.[13] In eight starts for the Rangers, Saunders struggled to an 0-5 record and 6.13 ERA with 22 strikeouts across39+2⁄3 innings pitched. He wasdesignated for assignment by Texas on July 1.[14] Saunders was released after clearing waivers on July 4.[15]
On July 8, 2014, Saunders signed a minor league contract with theKansas City Royals and was assigned to the Triple-AOmaha Royals.[16] After four starts and an ERA of 6.75 at Triple-A, he was released by the team on July 30.[17]
On August 5, 2014, Saunders returned to theBaltimore Orioles, signing a minor league contract with the club. He was called up to the big leagues on September 1 as part of the September roster expansion[18] In six appearances for Baltimore, Saunders struggled to a 13.50 ERA with one strikeout over3+1⁄3 innings. He became a free agent following the season.
On February 20, 2015, Saunders signed a minor league contract with theSeattle Mariners organization.[19] In six appearances for the Triple-ATacoma Rainiers, he logged an 0-3 record and 5.73 ERA with 12 strikeouts over 11 innings of work. Saunders opted out of his contract with the Mariners on May 1.[20]
Saunders has never been a strikeout pitcher, having a K/9 of less than 6. He has been durable throughout his career. Saunders relies on a fastball at around 89 to 91 MPH with sink to it, a curveball, a slider and his best pitch, a changeup.[21]
Saunders is married to his Virginia Tech classmate and former Hokie softball player, the former Shanel Garofalo. The couple has three daughters. He described himself in an interview, "My personality is laid back and very low key. I like to have fun, and I like to hang out and be with family and friends. Then, once I get on the field, everything changes. I don’t think about any family, any friends, any babies, or anyone at all. Once I’m out there on that mound, I’m all business. I don’t think about anything except getting that hitter out any way I can."[22]
· Baseball Almanac
