| Anthony Swarzak | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Swarzak with theNew York Mets in 2018 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1985-09-10)September 10, 1985 (age 39) Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| Professional debut | |
| MLB: May 23, 2009, for the Minnesota Twins | |
| KBO: June 21, 2015, for the Doosan Bears | |
| Last appearance | |
| MLB: July 10, 2021, for the Kansas City Royals | |
| KBO: October 4, 2015, for the Doosan Bears | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 26–37 |
| Earned run average | 4.42 |
| Strikeouts | 494 |
| KBO statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 5–7 |
| Earned run average | 5.26 |
| Strikeouts | 72 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Anthony Ray Swarzak (born September 10, 1985) is an American former professionalbaseballpitcher. He played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theMinnesota Twins,Cleveland Indians,New York Yankees,Chicago White Sox,Milwaukee Brewers,New York Mets,Seattle Mariners,Atlanta Braves,Arizona Diamondbacks, andKansas City Royals. He also played in theKBO League for theDoosan Bears.
Swarzak attendedNova High School inDavie, Florida.[1] As a sophomore, Swarzak pitched to an 11–1win–loss record with a 1.16earned run average and 120strikeouts and was named to the All-County team and second team All-State.[2][3] In 2003, he finished 14–1 with 142 strikeouts.[4] In his senior season, in which he went 14–2, with 147 strikeouts, Swarzak was named to the 2004 All-County and Class 5A All-State teams.[5][6] He had committed to attendLouisiana State University (LSU) to playcollege baseball for theLSU Tigers,[7] but instead chose to sign with the Twins on June 22, 2004, for a $575,000 bonus.[5][8]
TheMinnesota Twins selected Swarzak in the second round, with the 61st overall selection, in the2004 Major League Baseball draft. Swarzak was #15 on theBaseball America TopGulf Coast League Prospects list in 2004. He wasMidwest LeaguePitcher of the Week (from May 16–22, 2005),[9] the Twins' Pitcher of the Month (May 2005), Midwest LeagueAll-Star,[10] and #8 on theBaseball America TopMidwest League Prospects list in 2005. In 2006, he wasFlorida State League Pitcher of the Week (from August 7–14, 2006)[11] and a FSL Post-Season All-Star.[12]
Swarzak was one of the top rated prospects in the Twins' farm system before a fifty-game suspension for violation of Minor League drug policy on April 20, 2007, sidetracked his career.[13] He tested positive formarijuana.[14][15] After having started the season with the Double ANew Britain Rock Cats, upon his reinstatement from the restricted list on June 11, he was reassigned to the Class A AdvancedFort Myers Miracle. After three games with Fort Myers, he returned to New Britain.
He began the 2008 season with the Rock Cats, and went 3–8 with a 5.67earned run average. After a promotion toTriple-A, his record actually improved to 5–0 with a 1.80 ERA in seven starts. He was added to the Twins' 40 man roster, and spent his first spring with the Twins in 2009. FollowingSpring training, he was reassigned to Rochester. Swarzak suffered from a lack of run support inRochester to start the season. Despite an ERA of 1.59 in his first three starts, his record stood at 0–3.[16]
His record improved to 3–4 with a 2.25 ERA when he got the call to the majors on May 20. He filled in the starting rotation for the injured left-handed starterGlen Perkins.[17]
Swarzak made his major league debut for the Twins on May 23, 2009, in a home game against theMilwaukee Brewers. He pitched seven shutout innings, giving up five hits and two walks while striking out three. The Twins won the game 6–2, earning Swarzak his first major league win.[18][19]
After a line drive broke his foot,[20] Swarzak's 2010 season was statistically awful as he spent the whole year in the minors. His ERA finished at 6.21 in AAA Rochester.
Swarzak rebounded in 2011, contributing both in long relief and in spot starts for the Twins. He pitched a total of 102 innings, going 4–7 in 27 games.
In 2012, Swarzak started five games for the Twins while making 39 appearances out of the bullpen, pitching to a collective 96 innings of work.Swarzak began 2013 on the disabled list with fractured left ribs he suffered while "wrestling around a little bit."[21][22] He was activated on April 7 and used primarily as a long reliever for the rest of the season.[23] In 48 games, he went 3–2 with a 2.91 ERA, striking out 69 in 96 innings.
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On November 25, 2014, the Twins announced that Swarzak had been outrighted off the 40-man roster and elected free agency.[24]
On January 15, 2015, Swarzak signed a minor league contract with theCleveland Indians that included an invitation to Spring Training.[25][26] On April 5, 2015, Swarzak was selected to the 40-man roster.[27] On May 9, 2015, Swarzak was designated for assignment by the Indians afterBruce Chen was added to the roster.[28] On June 16, 2015, Swarzak was released by the Indians.
On June 16, 2015, Swarzak signed with theDoosan Bears of theKorea Baseball Organization.[29] Swarzak filled the foreign player roster spot formerly held byYunesky Maya.[30] He worked mainly as a starting pitcher in Korea and added aslider to his arsenal of pitches.[31]
Swarzak signed a minor league contract with theNew York Yankees on February 5, 2016.[32] He began the 2016 season with the Triple-AScranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, and was promoted to the major leagues on June 7.[33] At the end of the season, Swarzak elected free agency over an assignment to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.[34]
On January 23, 2017, Swarzak signed a minor league contract with theChicago White Sox.[35] Swarzak ended up having one of the best seasons of his career in Chicago. In 41 games with the White Sox, he posted a 2.23 ERA and a 1.034 WHIP.[36]
On July 25, 2017, Swarzak was traded by the Chicago White Sox to the Milwaukee Brewers foroutfielderRyan Cordell.[37]
Swarzak signed a two-year contract with theNew York Mets on December 15, 2017, worth over $14 million.[38] On April 3, the Mets placed Swarzak on the disabled list with anoblique strain and recalledHansel Robles.[39] Swarzak was activated from the disabled list on June 5 after appearing in three rehab games with theTriple-ALas Vegas 51s.[40]
On December 3, 2018, the Mets traded Swarzak,Jay Bruce,Jarred Kelenic,Gerson Bautista, andJustin Dunn to theSeattle Mariners forEdwin Díaz,Robinson Canó, and $20 million.[41] Swarzak missed spring training in 2019, as he was placed on the injured list in March 2019.[42] Swarzak returned to the active roster on April 2, 2019.[43][44]
On May 20, 2019, Swarzak was traded to theAtlanta Braves in exchange forArodys Vizcaíno andJesse Biddle.[45][46] He became a free agent following the 2019 season.
On February 4, 2020, Swarzak signed a Minor League contract with thePhiladelphia Phillies.[47] He was released on July 20, 2020.
On March 4, 2021, Swarzak signed a minor league contract with theArizona Diamondbacks organization that included an invitation to Spring Training.[48] On April 7, 2021, Swarzak was selected to the 40-man roster to take the roster spot of fellow relieverChris Devenski, who had been placed on the restricted list.[49] Swarzak struggled to a 9.64 ERA in 6 games for the Diamondbacks before being designated for assignment on April 18.[50] On April 23, Swarzak was released.[50]
On May 14, 2021, Swarzak signed a minor league contract with theKansas City Royals organization and was assigned to the Triple-AOmaha Storm Chasers.[51] On June 18, Swarzak was selected to the active roster[52] and made his Royals debut the following day against theBoston Red Sox, pitching for his tenth major league team. Swarzak struggled to a 9.39 ERA in 7 appearances before being designated for assignment on July 17.[53] On July 21, Swarzak cleared waivers and elected free agency.[54]
