Joe Saunders
Joe Saunders | |
---|---|
![]() Saunders with the Texas Rangers | |
Pitcher | |
Born: Fairfax, Virginia, U.S. | June 16, 1981|
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 |
Teams | |
Career highlights and awards | |
|
Joseph Francis Saunders (born June 16, 1981) is an American former
College and minor league career
Saunders played
He was drafted in the first round (12th overall) by the then Anaheim Angels in
Major league career
Los Angeles Angels
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/41/Joe_Saunders_June_2009.jpg/220px-Joe_Saunders_June_2009.jpg)
Saunders made his major league debut on August 16, 2005, against the
Saunders began the
In 2008, Saunders entered spring training in a competition with Santana for the role of 5th starter in the Angels rotation. After the Angels' co-aces John Lackey and Kelvim 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 the American 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 two earned runs to the Philadelphia Phillies on June 21, 2008. Following the 2008 season, Saunders was asked to join the USA Baseball team for the 2009 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 the Kansas City Royals. From 2008 to 2009, Saunders compiled 33 wins.
Arizona Diamondbacks
On July 25, 2010, he was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Dan Haren. Three minor league pitchers, left hander Patrick Corbin and right handers Rafael Rodríguez and Tyler Skaggs also went to Arizona.[6][7] On December 12, 2011, Saunders was non-tendered and became a free agent. On January 17, 2012, he re-signed with the Diamondbacks for one year at a salary of $6 million.[8]
Baltimore Orioles
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e4/Joe_Saunders_on_August_29%2C_2012.jpg/220px-Joe_Saunders_on_August_29%2C_2012.jpg)
On August 26, 2012, Saunders was traded to the
Seattle Mariners
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/25/Saunders_Mariners.jpg/220px-Saunders_Mariners.jpg)
On February 12, 2013, Saunders agreed to a one-year contract with the
Texas Rangers
On March 4, 2014, Saunders signed a one-year contract with the Texas Rangers.[12] He was designated for assignment on July 1, 2014.[13] Saunders was released on July 4.[14]
Kansas City Royals
On July 8, 2014, Saunders signed a minor league contract with the
Second Stint with Orioles
On August 1, 2014, Saunders returned to the Baltimore 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 [16]
Second stint with Mariners
Saunders signed a minor league deal with the Seattle Mariners on February 20, 2015. He opted out of his minor league deal with the Mariners on May 1, 2015.[17]
Scouting report
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.[18]
Personal life
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."[19]
References
- ^ "Major League Baseball Players From the Cape Cod League" (PDF). capecodbaseball.org. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
- ^ "2001 Harwich Mariners". thebaseballcube.com. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
- ^ "East Division All Stars". capecodbaseball.org. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
- ^ Bump, Larry. "Joe Saunders – No. 37 MLN FAB50 Baseball 2006 Mid-Season Rankings". Minor League News. Archived from the original on October 16, 2006. Retrieved April 21, 2007.
- MLB.com. Archived from the originalon May 3, 2007. Retrieved April 21, 2007.
- ^ Piecoro, Nick (July 25, 2010). "Arizona Diamondbacks trade Dan Haren to Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
- ^ DiGiovanna, Mike (July 25, 2010). "Angels trade Joe Saunders for Diamondbacks' Dan Haren". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on December 5, 2013. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
- ^ "Joe Saunders stays with D-backs for $6 million". ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 17, 2012. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
- ^ "O's get Joe Saunders from D-backs". ESPN.com. Associated Press. August 26, 2012. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
- ^ Johns, Greg (February 12, 2013). "Mariners finalize Saunders deal, designate Carp". MLB.com. Archived from the original on March 6, 2014. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
- ^ Withers, Bud (May 12, 2013). "Safeco Joe eager to break pattern on road". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
- ^ Durrett, Richard (March 4, 2014). "Joe Saunders headed to Rangers". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on April 3, 2014. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
- ^ "Rangers designate LHP Saunders for assignment". Associated Press. July 1, 2014. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved July 3, 2014.
- ^ "Rangers recall ex-closer Neftali Feliz from minors". ESPN.com. Associated Press. July 4, 2014. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
- ^ "Royals sign Saunders to minor league deal". ESPN.com. Associated Press. July 8, 2014. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
- ^ "Orioles signs Saunders to minor league deal". ESPN.com. Associated Press. August 1, 2014. Retrieved August 2, 2014.
- ^ Todd, Jeff (May 1, 2015). "Joe Saunders Opts Out Of Mariners Deal". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved December 26, 2015.
- ^ "Scouting Report Joe Saunders". 22 April 2011.
- ^ Laurila, David (October 17, 2009). "Prospectus Q&A: Joe Saunders". Baseball Prospectus. Archived from the original on July 29, 2012. Retrieved October 28, 2009.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)