Denny Bautista

Denny Bautista
Free agent
Pitcher
Born: (1980-08-23) August 23, 1980
Sanchez, Dominican Republic
Batted: Right Threw: Right
Professional debut
MLB: May 25, 2004, for the Baltimore Orioles
KBO: July 6, 2011, for the Hanwha Eagles
Last appearance
MLB: August 14, 2010, for the San Francisco Giants
KBO: October 5, 2013, for the Hanwha Eagles
MLB statistics
Win–loss record 11–15
Earned run average 5.88
Strikeouts 180
KBO statistics
Win–loss record 14–13
Earned run average 3.70
Strikeouts 321
Teams

Denny M. Bautista Germán (born August 23, 1980) is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. Bautista is 6 feet 5 inches (1.96 m) tall and weighs 190 pounds (86 kg). He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Baltimore Orioles, Kansas City Royals, Colorado Rockies, Detroit Tigers, Pittsburgh Pirates, and San Francisco Giants from 2004 to 2010. From 2011 through 2013, he played for the Hanwha Eagles of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO). He bats and throws right-handed. Bautista throws three pitches: a fastball, a curveball, and a changeup. He has struggled with control throughout his career.

Bautista grew up receiving instruction on pitching from his second cousin, Pedro Martínez. The Florida Marlins signed him in 2000 but traded him to the Baltimore Orioles before Bautista reached the major leagues. He debuted with the Orioles in 2004, appearing in two games before getting traded to the Kansas City Royals. Bautista was ranked Kansas City's number two prospect by Baseball America entering the 2005 season, but he made just seven starts before missing the rest of the season with an injury. He posted a 5.66 earned run average (ERA) for the Royals in 2006 before getting traded to the Colorado Rockies. He appeared in nine games (all in relief) for the Rockies in 2007, spending most of the year in the minor leagues.

After 2007, Bautista never made another start in the major leagues. He began 2008 with the Detroit Tigers bullpen but had an injury and was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates during the year. He re-signed with Pittsburgh in 2009 but only appeared in 14 games, spending most of the year in the minors. Bautista posted a 3.74 ERA with the San Francisco Giants in 2010 but was never on their playoff roster and was released during the playoffs. In 2011, he signed with the Seattle Mariners but was assigned to the minor leagues. Halfway through the season, he joined the Hanwha Eagles of the Korea Baseball Organization. On April 18, 2015, it was announced that he had signed a minor league deal with the Boston Red Sox.

Early life

Bautista had an early connection to Major League Baseball (MLB): as a teenager he pitched in a park built by professional baseball players Pedro Martínez, Ramón Martínez, and Juan Guzmán. Pedro, then one of baseball's outstanding starting pitchers, mentored Bautista and trained with him during the offseason.[1][2][3]

Professional career

Minor league career

Florida Marlins organization

The Florida Marlins signed Bautista on June 21, 2000, and assigned him to the Gulf Coast Marlins, their rookie-level minor league affiliate. He started 11 games for the Marlins, posting a 6–2 win–loss record with an earned run average (ERA) of 2.43 and 17 walks. He was tied for second in the league in wins (along with six other pitchers behind Jeff Randazzo's seven), second in the league in ERA (behind Yoel Hernández's 1.35), tied for second with 58 strikeouts (along with Randazzo behind Manuel Esquivia's 77), third in the league with 63 innings pitched (behind Randazzo's  68 2⁄3 and Esquivia's  64 2⁄3), and tied for second in the league in complete games with two (tied with Hernández behind Randazzo's three).[4] He also appeared in one game for the Single-A short season Utica Blue Sox of the New York–Penn League that year. He split 2001 between Utica and the Single-A Kane County Cougars of the Midwest League, going a combined 6–2 with an ERA of 3.23, 51 strikeouts, 20 walks, and  78 1⁄3 innings pitched in 15 games (14 starts). In the playoffs, he pitched a shutout for the Cougars, allowing just one hit, striking out eight, and helping the Cougars win their first Midwest League title.[5][6]

After the 2001 season, Baseball America ranked Bautista the third-best prospect in the Marlins' organization.[7] The following April, a USA Today article said that Bautista had similar career potential to Pedro Martínez, noting that Bautista's fastball had become about 10 mph faster during his time in the minor leagues.[8] In 2002, he pitched with the Single-A Advanced Jupiter Hammerheads of the Florida State League, where he went 4–6 with an ERA of 4.99, 79 strikeouts, 40 walks, and  88 1⁄3 innings pitched in 19 games (15 starts). He recovered in 2003, making 25 starts between the Hammerheads and the Double-A Carolina Mudcats of the Southern League. He finished the year with a 12–9 win-loss record, an improved ERA of 3.41, 138 strikeouts, and 70 walks in  137 1⁄3 innings pitched.[9]

Major League career

Baltimore Orioles

Bautista made his major league debut at Oriole Park at Camden Yards

On August 31, 2003 the Marlins traded Bautista and fellow minor leaguer Don Levinski to the Baltimore Orioles for veteran Jeff Conine.[10] Before the 2004 season, Baseball America ranked him the Orioles' fifth-best prospect.[7] The Orioles assigned Bautista to the Double-A Bowie Baysox of the Eastern League, where he went 3–5 with a 4.74 ERA, 72 strikeouts, 33 walks, and  62 2⁄3 innings pitched in 14 games (13 starts) during the 2004 season.[9] Bautista made his major league debut that year: the Orioles called him up as part of a roster reshuffle, and he made his first appearance, in relief, on May 25, 2004, against the New York Yankees. He recorded three outs in the first inning he pitched, but he got into difficulties and surrendered four runs on three hits before getting removed during his second inning.[11] After a second relief appearance on May 27 (in which he allowed four runs in  1⁄3 of an inning) amid a three-game sweep of the Orioles by the Yankees, Bautista was sent back to Bowie.[12] A month later the Orioles traded him to the Kansas City Royals for veteran relief pitcher Jason Grimsley.[13]

Kansas City Royals

2004

The Royals assigned Bautista to the Double-A Wichita Wranglers of the Texas League, where he went 4–3 with an ERA of 2.53, 73 strikeouts, 32 walks, and  81 2⁄3 innings pitched in 12 starts.[9] In September, he was called up and added to the Royals' starting rotation when the team decided to go to a six-man staff to limit their pitchers' innings.[14] He made his first major league start on September 6, allowing four runs over six innings and taking the loss in a 7–3 defeat to the Detroit Tigers.[15] In five starts for the Royals, Bautista had an 0–4 record, a 6.51 ERA, 18 strikeouts, and 11 walks in  27 2⁄3 innings pitched.

2005

Bautista was ranked the second-best prospect in the Royals' organization before the 2005 season by Baseball America.[7] After a productive spring training in 2005, Bautista was named to the Royals' starting rotation again; he started seven games, going 2–2 with an ERA of 5.80, 23 strikeouts, and 17 walks in  35 2⁄3 innings pitched before tendinitis in his shoulder put him on the disabled list for the remainder of the season.[16] On April 8, 2005, Bautista won his first MLB game, holding the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim to one run in eight innings pitched.[17]

2006

At the start of the 2006 season, Bautista was again in the Royals' starting rotation, but after a poor start (interrupted by a disabled list stint from April 14 to May 8) in which he went 0–2 with an ERA of 5.66, 22 strikeouts, and 17 walks in 35 innings pitched, the Royals sent him to the Triple-A Omaha Royals of the Pacific Coast League.[18][19] There he continued to struggle, posting a 2–5 record, a 7.36 ERA, 28 strikeouts, 32 walks, and 44 innings pitched in 10 starts.[9][20] On August 1, the Royals traded him along with Jeremy Affeldt to the Colorado Rockies for Ryan Shealy and Scott Dohmann.[20]

Colorado Rockies

2006

The Rockies assigned Bautista to the Triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox of the Pacific Coast League where he started six games, posting a 1–4 record, a 4.50 ERA, 35 strikeouts, and 16 walks in 36 innings pitched before being called up to the Rockies in September.[9][21] He appeared in four games, three of them in relief with Colorado. In 12 games (eight starts) with Kansas City and Colorado on the season, Bautista had an 0–3 record, a 5.62 ERA, 27 strikeouts, and 21 walks in  41 2⁄3 innings.[5] His Pacific Coast League totals for 2006 were a 3–9 record, a 6.08 ERA, 63 strikeouts, and 40 walks in 80 innings pitched.[9]

2007

Bautista was optioned to Colorado Springs halfway through spring training in 2007.[22] On April 29, he was called up by the Rockies to replace Ryan Speier in the bullpen.[23] He gave up one run over  4 2⁄3 innings and won two of the first four games he appeared in before he then allowed 11 runs in one inning pitched over his next three outings.[24] After Bautista allowed six runs in  1⁄3 of an inning on May 13 in a 15–2 loss to the San Francisco Giants, bringing his ERA to 19.06, he was sent back to Colorado Springs.[25] In 51 games, all in relief, at Colorado Springs, he had a 3–2 record, a 2.92 ERA, 63 strikeouts, and 31 walks in  64 2⁄3 innings.[9] He was recalled when rosters expanded in September.[26] On September 12, he made his final major league start in a bullpen game, throwing two scoreless innings in a 12–0 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.[5][27] In nine games, he had a 2–1 record, a 12.46 ERA, eight strikeouts, and four walks in  8 2⁄3 innings pitched.[5] He was left off the playoff roster as the Rockies went to the World Series.[5][28] On December 4, the Rockies traded Bautista to the Detroit Tigers for pitcher José Capellán.[29]

Detroit Tigers

Bautista began 2008 with the Tigers in a relief role, often pitching in the eighth-inning as the "setup man" for veteran closer Todd Jones.[30] In his debut on Opening Day (March 31), he gave up a run in the 11th inning and took the loss in a 5–4 defeat to the Royals.[31] After that game, he had nine consecutive scoreless outings. He then allowed five runs over three outings in a row before getting placed on the disabled list on May 3 with a sore shoulder.[32][33] He came off the disabled list on June 5 and appeared in three more games with the Tigers.[32][34] In 16 games with the Tigers, Bautista had an 0–1 record, a 3.32 ERA, 10 strikeouts, and 14 walks in 19 innings.[5] Due to the return of Joel Zumaya from the disabled list, Bautista was designated for assignment and was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates on June 25 for right-handed pitcher Kyle Pearson.[35]

Pittsburgh Pirates

2008

Bautista made thirty-five appearances for the Pirates in 2008, all in relief.[5] On July 2, he threw  3 1⁄3 scoreless innings of relief to pick up the win in a 9–5 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.[36] With Pittsburgh, Bautista posted a 4–3 record, an ERA of 6.10, 34 strikeouts, and 28 walks in  41 1⁄3 innings. His combined totals for the season were a 4–4 record, a 5.22 ERA, 44 strikeouts, 42 walks, and  60 1⁄3 innings in 51 games.[5] Bautista was eligible for arbitration but the Pirates declined to tender an offer, although general manager Neal Huntington stated "We'd like to get him back."[37][38]

2009

On December 22, 2008, Bautista signed a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training to return to the Pirates in 2009.[39] He failed to make the team and began 2009 with the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians of the International League.[5] In 36 games with Indianapolis, he had a 2–3 record, a 4.88 ERA, 58 strikeouts, and 34 walks in 48 innings.[9] On August 15, he had his contract purchased from Indianapolis to replace the injured José Ascanio in the bullpen.[40] He threw two scoreless innings to earn the win on August 27 in a 3–2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.[41] In 14 games, he had a 1–1 record, a 5.27 ERA, 15 strikeouts, and seven walks in  13 2⁄3 innings.[5] On October 27, he became a free agent.[42]

San Francisco Giants

On January 21, 2010, Bautista signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants with an invite to spring training.[43] He competed with Guillermo Mota for the final spot in the Giants' bullpen but was sent to the minors on April 4 as Mota won the job.[44] Bautista served as the closer for the Fresno Grizzlies of the Pacific Coast League before he was recalled to the major league team on May 7. Giants' manager Bruce Bochy said, "He's been the best pitcher down there."[45] With the Giants, Bautista often pitched in long relief. He posted a 2.16 ERA in his first 19 games through June 30, but in 12 games after that, his ERA was 8.31.[46] In his most recent major league appearance, on August 4, he allowed back-to-back home runs to Carlos González and Troy Tulowitzki in a 6–1 loss to Colorado.[47] On August 5, Bautista was designated for assignment by the Giants to make room for Todd Wellemeyer on the roster.[48] Shortly thereafter, he was outrighted to Fresno. In 31 games with the Giants, he had a 2–0 record, a 3.74 ERA, 44 strikeouts, and 27 walks in  33 2⁄3 innings.[5] In 19 games with Fresno, he had a 3–2 record, a 3.18 ERA, 28 strikeouts, 9 walks, and six saves in  22 2⁄3 innings pitched.[9] He did not pitch at all in the postseason for the Giants as they won the 2010 World Series; in fact, he was granted free agency during the playoffs on October 12.[42]

Seattle Mariners organization

On December 14, 2010, Bautista signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners including an invite to spring training.[49] He stayed with the Mariners through most of spring training but was reassigned to the minor leagues on March 27, 2011.[50] In 24 games with the Tacoma Rainiers of the Pacific Coast League, Bautista had a 1–2 record, a 4.21 ERA, 49 strikeouts, and 22 walks in  36 1⁄3 innings.[9] He was released on June 30 so that he could join the Korea Baseball Organization.[51]

Hanwha Eagles

Bautista signed with the Hanwha Eagles in Korea on June 29, 2011.[51] He served as Hanwha's closer upon joining the team in 2011, posting a 3–0 record, a 2.02 ERA, 122 strikeouts, 41 walks, and  35 2⁄3 innings pitched in 27 games.[7] On April 11, 2013, he allowed a three-run home run to Lee Seung-Yeop in a 4–0 loss to the Samsung Lions.[52] While pitching for Hanwha, he has become friends with Kim Tae-kyun.[53] Used as a starter in 2013 after the departure of Hyun-jin Ryu, Bautista had a 7–7 record, a 4.24 ERA, and 153 strikeouts in 138 innings.[54][55] After the 2013 season, the Eagles chose not to resign Bautista, opting to make Félix Pie and Caleb Clay the foreign players on their roster.[56]

Boston Red Sox

Bautista signed a minor league deal with the Boston Red Sox in April 2015.[57]

Pitching style

Bautista throws three pitches: a fastball, a curveball, and a changeup. His fastball travels in the high 90 mph range. His curve can break down sharply, and he learned the changeup from Pedro Martínez. Wildness had been a problem for Bautista throughout his career. He has trouble controlling his fastball and walks a great deal of hitters, which has often contributed to his departure from teams.[14][31][49]

Personal life

Bautista is married to Elizabeth; the couple has one son and resides in Santo Domingo.[5] The relationship between Bautista and Pedro Martínez has been reported variously as first cousin and second cousin, with Bautista at one point denying there was a connection at all. Bautista finally confirmed that he and Martínez are second cousins through Bautista's mother.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 Gutierrez, Israel (September 3, 2000). "ROOKIE-LEAGUER'S GOAL: BE LIKE PEDRO". Palm Beach Post. p. 7C.
  2. ↑ Buckley, Steve (March 10, 2000). "Baseball; A slice of baseball heaven; Dominican field of dreams; Young duo trains eyes on the bigs". Boston Herald. p. 106.
  3. ↑ Kaegel, Dick (March 27, 2003). "Bautista gets tips from special cousin". MLB.com. Retrieved April 24, 2008.
  4. ↑ "2000 Gulf Coast League Pitching Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com (Minors). Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "Denny Bautista Stats, Video Highlights, Photos, Bio". MLB.com. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  6. ↑ "Cubs Reach New PDC Agreement with Kane County, Renew Agreements with Daytona and Boise". MLB.com. September 19, 2012. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "Denny Bautista". Baseball America. Retrieved October 15, 2013.
  8. ↑ Goldfine, Josh (April 10, 2002). "Marlins 2002 prospect report". USA Today. Retrieved January 15, 2014.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Denny Bautista Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com (Minors). Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  10. ↑ "Safe at home: Conine suits up with Marlins for first time since '97 World Series". Sports Illustrated. September 1, 2003. Retrieved September 19, 2013.
  11. ↑ Loverro, Thom (May 26, 2004). "Pitching troubles continue for O's". Washington Times. p. C7.
  12. ↑ Loverro, Thom (May 29, 2004). "Orioles' bosses are losers, too". Washington Times. p. C1.
  13. ↑ Sheinin, Dave (June 22, 2004). "Orioles Get a Bit of Relief; Team Acquires Grimsley From Royals for D. Bautista". Washington Post. p. D6.
  14. 1 2 Kaegel, Dick (September 5, 2004). "Notes: Bautista to start Monday". Royals.MLB.com. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
  15. ↑ Harris, Paul (September 6, 2004). "Royals labor in loss to Tigers". Royals.MLB.com. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
  16. ↑ "American League team notes". Sporting News. December 9, 2005. p. 57.
  17. ↑ Dutton, Bob (April 9, 2005). "Royals' Bautista brilliant in first career win". Kansas City Star.
  18. ↑ Kaegel, Dick (May 6, 2006). "Notes: Bautista to start on Monday". Royals.MLB.com. Retrieved September 22, 2013.
  19. ↑ Falkoff, Robert (June 8, 2006). "Notes: Bautista sent to Triple-A Omaha". Royals.MLB.com. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  20. 1 2 Dutton, Bob (August 1, 2006). "Out with the old: Royals deal three players: GM Dayton Moore continues roster overhaul, acquiring first baseman Ryan Shealy and more pitching.". Kansas City Star.
  21. ↑ "Denny Bautista 2006 Pitching Gamelogs". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 24, 2013.
  22. ↑ Harding, Thomas (March 16, 2007). "Notes: No room for Quintanilla". Rockies.MLB.com. Retrieved September 25, 2013.
  23. ↑ "Rockies option Speier; Recall Bautista". Rockies.MLB.com. April 29, 2007. Retrieved September 26, 2013.
  24. ↑ "Denny Bautista 2007 Pitching Gamelogs". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  25. ↑ Perkins, Owen (May 13, 2007). "Rockies roughed up in finale with Giants". Rockies.MLB.com. Retrieved September 27, 2013.
  26. ↑ Moore, C.J. (September 3, 2007). "Notes: Hirsh says season's over". Rockies.MLB.com. Retrieved September 28, 2013.
  27. ↑ Harding, Thomas (September 13, 2007). "Holliday jump-starts offense in victory". Rockies.MLB.com. Retrieved September 30, 2013.
  28. ↑ Harding, Thomas (October 3, 2007). "Rockies leave Julio off NLDS roster". Rockies.MLB.com. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  29. ↑ Morosi, Jon Paul (December 5, 2007). "Tigers-Rockies trade: Bautista coming to Detroit, Capellan going". Detroit Free Press.
  30. ↑ Morosi, Jon Paul (April 20, 2008). "Denny Bautista adjusting as late reliever". Detroit Free Press.
  31. 1 2 Beck, Jason (March 31, 2008). "Tigers drop opener in extra innings". Tigers.MLB.com. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
  32. 1 2 "Denny Bautista 2008 Pitching Gamelogs". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
  33. ↑ Beck, Jason (May 3, 2008). "Bautista heads to DL with sore shoulder". Tigers.MLB.com. Retrieved October 3, 2013.
  34. ↑ Beck, Jason (June 4, 2008). "Leyland unsure how to slot Willis". Tigers.MLB.com. Retrieved October 4, 2013.
  35. ↑ "Tigers trade Bautista to Pirates for Pearson, put Inge on DL". ESPN. June 25, 2008. Retrieved 2008-06-25.
  36. ↑ Langosch, Jenifer (July 3, 2008). "Nady's blasts lift Bucs over Reds". Pirates.MLB.com. Retrieved October 5, 2013.
  37. ↑ Kovacevic, Dejan (September 30, 2008). "Pirates 2008 players' report card, salary status". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved December 13, 2008.
  38. ↑ Kovacevic, Dejan (December 13, 2008). "Vazquez aims to push Pirates' infielders: Bautista released; seven other arbitration players tendered". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved December 13, 2008.
  39. ↑ Langosch, Jenifer (December 22, 2008). "Pirates sign six to Minor League deals". Pirates.MLB.com. Retrieved October 6, 2013.
  40. ↑ Langosch, Jenifer (August 15, 2009). "Bixler, Bautista join Bucs for series finale". Pirates.MLB.com. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  41. ↑ Mayo, Jonathan (August 27, 2009). "Jones' two-run shot rescues Pirates". Pirates.MLB.com. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
  42. 1 2 "Denny Bautista Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 9, 2013.
  43. ↑ Haft, Chris (January 21, 2010). "Giants add 22 to Spring training roster". San Francisco Giants. MLB. Retrieved October 10, 2013.
  44. ↑ Haft, Chris (April 4, 2010). "Bowker earns right-field job for Giants". San Francisco Giants. MLB. Retrieved May 25, 2011.
  45. ↑ Haft, Chris (May 7, 2010). "Giants put Rentería on DL, demote Velez". San Francisco Giants. MLB. Retrieved March 20, 2011.
  46. ↑ "Denny Bautista 2010 Pitching Gamelogs". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  47. ↑ Perkins, Owen (August 4, 2010). "Giants held in check by Jimenez". Rockies.MLB.com. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
  48. ↑ Haft, Chris (August 5, 2010). "Wellemeyer activated from DL, Bautista out". San Francisco Giants. MLB. Retrieved October 14, 2013.
  49. 1 2 Johns, Greg (December 14, 2010). "Langerhans signed by Mariners to Minors deal". Mariners.MLB.com. Retrieved October 14, 2013.
  50. ↑ Johns, Greg (March 27, 2011). "Mariners make roster moves, option Tuiasosopo". Mariners.MLB.com. Retrieved April 19, 2011.
  51. 1 2 Divish, Ryan (June 30, 2011). "Mariners Minor League Report, June 30: Rainiers playing patchwork at catcher, Dennis Raben interview on KJR". The News Tribune. Retrieved October 14, 2013.
  52. ↑ "With one swing, Samsung's Lee Seung-yeop resumes chase for home run record". Yonhap News Agency. April 11, 2013. Retrieved October 9, 2013.
  53. ↑ "Korean Slugger's Take on African American Pitcher Shows Racial Insensitivity". Gold Sea. June 11, 2013. Retrieved October 9, 2013.
  54. ↑ Gurnick, Ken (December 10, 2012). "Dodgers reach agreement with starter Ryu". Dodgers.MLB.com. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
  55. ↑ "Denny Bautista". hanwhaeagles.com. Retrieved October 10, 2013.
  56. ↑ "Hanwha Eagles announce signing of new foreign pitcher". The Korea Observer. December 18, 2013. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
  57. ↑ Boston Red Sox sign veteran RHP Denny Bautista to minor league contract

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