David Purcey
Encyclopedia
David Kent Purcey is a left-handed pitcher
in professional baseball.
at Trinity Christian Academy in Addison, Texas
, and then attended the University of Oklahoma
, where he played for the Sooners baseball team.
by the Seattle Mariners
in the 20th round. He then was drafted again by the New York Yankees
in the 17th round of the 2003 entry draft
, and finally drafted once again by Toronto in the first round (16th overall) during the 2004 MLB entry draft
.
Purcey made his major league debut on April 18, 2008, starting against the Detroit Tigers
and allowing one earned run
over 4⅓ innings. He was returned to the minor leagues after two major league appearances, but was recalled to the Blue Jays in July, and ended the 2008 season in the team's starting rotation.
On Wednesday August 27, 2008, Purcey started against the Tampa Bay Rays
and pitched his first career major league complete game. Purcey recorded 11 strikeouts, scattering five hits through eight innings of work.
Following spring training
2009, Purcey earned the third spot in the rotation, but switched spots with Jesse Litsch
to separate the left-handers. Purcey was second in the rotation until Friday, May 1, 2009 when he was assigned to the Toronto Blue Jays AAA affiliate Las Vegas 51s
. Purcey had a record of 0–2 and an ERA
over seven with Toronto in 2009, as he struggled with his command, which has improved somewhat with Las Vegas.
On May 24, 2010, Purcey was recalled by Toronto after Dana Eveland
was designated for assignment and moved to the bullpen as a relief pitcher. On July 26, 2010 Purcey recorded his first major league save against the Baltimore Orioles in a 9–5 win.
Purcey was traded by the Blue Jays on April 18, 2011, to the Oakland Athletics
in exchange for minor league relief pitcher Danny Farquhar
. Purcey was acquired after injuries to Rich Harden
and Dallas Braden
.
On May 27, 2011, Purcey was traded to the Detroit Tigers
for Scott Sizemore
.
Purcey was designated for assignment on August 2nd, 2011.
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
in professional baseball.
Amateur career
Purcey attended high schoolHigh school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
at Trinity Christian Academy in Addison, Texas
Addison, Texas
Addison is a city in Dallas County, Texas . The population was 14,166 at the 2000 census, and 15,737 according to a 2009 estimate. Addison is a northern suburb of Dallas...
, and then attended the University of Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma is a coeducational public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two became the state of Oklahoma. the university had 29,931 students enrolled, most located at its...
, where he played for the Sooners baseball team.
Professional career
Purcey originally was drafted in the 2001 entry draft2001 Major League Baseball Draft
-First Round Selections:-Supplemental First Round Selections:-Background:The Minnesota Twins selected St. Paul, MN native Joe Mauer with the number one pick in the 2001 draft. The 18-year-old Mauer, a catcher from Cretin-Derham Hall High School in St. Paul, became the seventh Minnesotan to be...
by the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
in the 20th round. He then was drafted again by the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
in the 17th round of the 2003 entry draft
2003 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2003 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 3 and 4. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams.Source: -First round selections:...
, and finally drafted once again by Toronto in the first round (16th overall) during the 2004 MLB entry draft
2004 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2004 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 7 and 8. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams...
.
Purcey made his major league debut on April 18, 2008, starting against the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
and allowing one earned run
Earned run
In baseball, an earned run is any run for which the pitcher is held accountable . Any runner who tags his base and reaches home plate is scored against the pitcher as an earned run...
over 4⅓ innings. He was returned to the minor leagues after two major league appearances, but was recalled to the Blue Jays in July, and ended the 2008 season in the team's starting rotation.
On Wednesday August 27, 2008, Purcey started against the Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
and pitched his first career major league complete game. Purcey recorded 11 strikeouts, scattering five hits through eight innings of work.
Following spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
2009, Purcey earned the third spot in the rotation, but switched spots with Jesse Litsch
Jesse Litsch
Jesse Allen Litsch is an American pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball. He is tall and weighs 225 pounds....
to separate the left-handers. Purcey was second in the rotation until Friday, May 1, 2009 when he was assigned to the Toronto Blue Jays AAA affiliate Las Vegas 51s
Las Vegas 51s
The Las Vegas 51s, formerly known as the Las Vegas Stars, are a minor league baseball team. They are the Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. They play at Cashman Field in Las Vegas, Nevada. The team competes in the Pacific Coast League...
. Purcey had a record of 0–2 and an ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
over seven with Toronto in 2009, as he struggled with his command, which has improved somewhat with Las Vegas.
On May 24, 2010, Purcey was recalled by Toronto after Dana Eveland
Dana Eveland
Dana James Eveland is a left-handed Major League Baseball starting pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers.Eveland throws a four-seam fastball, slider, changeup, and curveball. He is 6' 1" and weighs 230 pounds....
was designated for assignment and moved to the bullpen as a relief pitcher. On July 26, 2010 Purcey recorded his first major league save against the Baltimore Orioles in a 9–5 win.
Purcey was traded by the Blue Jays on April 18, 2011, to the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
in exchange for minor league relief pitcher Danny Farquhar
Danny Farquhar
Daniel A. Farquhar is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays. He attended college at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where he played for the Louisiana–Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns baseball team...
. Purcey was acquired after injuries to Rich Harden
Rich Harden
James Richard Harden is a Canadian professional baseball pitcher.-Early years:Harden attended Claremont Secondary School in Victoria, British Columbia. He was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 38th round of the 1999 Major League Baseball Draft...
and Dallas Braden
Dallas Braden
Dallas Lee Braden is a left-handed pitcher for the Oakland Athletics. He was drafted out of Texas Tech University in the twenty fourth round of the 2004 Major League Baseball Draft by the Athletics...
.
On May 27, 2011, Purcey was traded to the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
for Scott Sizemore
Scott Sizemore
Scott Daniel Sizemore is a Major League Baseball second baseman/third baseman for the Oakland Athletics.-Minor leagues:...
.
Purcey was designated for assignment on August 2nd, 2011.