Francisco Cruceta
Encyclopedia
Francisco Alberto Cruceta (born July 4, 1981 in La Vega
, Dominican Republic
) is a former Major League Baseball
relief pitcher
and former starting pitcher
for the Samsung Lions
in the Korea Baseball Organization
.
as an amateur free agent
, on May 20, . He spent the next three seasons with the DSL Dodgers
in the Dominican Summer League
; in his last year he went 0-4 with 1.50 ERA
. For , the Dodgers brought Cruceta over to the Single-A South Georgia Waves
, where he went 8-5, with a 2.80 ERA and three complete game
s. On July 28, 2002, the Dodgers, in the midst of a pennant race, traded Cruceta with Terry Mulholland
and Ricardo Rodríguez to the Cleveland Indians
for veteran pitcher Paul Shuey
. The Indians assigned Cruceta to the Single-A Kinston Indians
.
seven games, going 2-0 with a 2.50 ERA. In November, the Indians added him their 40-man roster, indicating their confidence in him. Nevertheless, Cruceta would not pitch in a major league game for the Indians until the end of the season. Cruceta began the season with the Double-A Akron Aeros
. At the time, Cruceta had in his arsenal a fastball
(which topped out at 94 miles per hour (151.3 km/h)), slider
, and changeup
. John Farrell, then the Indians director of player development, praised Cruceta's mechanics: "He throws the ball on a downward plane. It allows the action of all his pitches to work down and force ground-ball outs. We're ecstatic that we got him in the Rodriguez trade." Cruceta enjoyed a strong year at Akron, going 13-9 with a 3.09 ERA. Cruceta returned to the Aeros for the 2004 season, and in mid-June the Indians promoted him to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons
, where he went 6-5 with a 3.25 ERA as the Bisons defeated the Richmond Braves
for the International League
championship and the Governors' Cup
. Following the series Cruceta was one of six Bisons players called up by the Indians for the fall expansion.
Cruceta replaced the injured CC Sabathia in the starting rotation, and made his major league debut against the Detroit Tigers
on September 21, 2004. Cruceta gave up five runs
in four innings, but did not figure in the decision, as the Indians mounted a comeback and defeated the Tigers 8-7. He pitched in one more game that season, this time giving up four runs on five hits
in 3⅔ innings on September 26, 2004, in a 6–2 loss to the Minnesota Twins
, where Cruceta received the loss.
Cruceta returned to Buffalo for the season, but doubts developed about his role. He struggled as a starter, and attempts to convert him into a relief pitcher met with mixed results. Manager Marty Brown was open in his criticism of Cruceta's efforts to become a reliever, and acknowledged that, when he had Cruceta start a game in mid-August, "You could see he felt more comfortable in that starting role than out of the bullpen. That's a real positive for him." Just a few days after that start, the Indians designated him for assignment
. The Seattle Mariners
claimed him off waivers and sent him to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers
.
, but opened the year at Tacoma, where he started 28 games and compiled a 13-9 record with an ERA of 4.38 and led the Pacific Coast League
(PCL) in strikeout
s. In a start against the Colorado Springs Sky Sox
in late May, Cruceta pitched eight shutout innings, allowing two hits and no walks
while striking out 11. Cruceta continued to pitch strongly, but was passed over for the PCL All-Star team, a decision criticized by the Rainiers' manager, Dave Brundage
, who called Cruceta "dominant" and said that he had been "snubbed." The Mariners called Cruceta up in September to make a spot start, but he did not get out of the first inning against the Kansas City Royals
, giving up five runs, including a grand slam
, in one inning of work. Commented Mariners' manager Mike Hargrove
: "It was one of those nights. He'll pitch again. Out of the bullpen." Cruceta made three relief appearances, giving up three runs in five innings of work, but at the end of the year waived him. The Texas Rangers
claimed Cruceta and assigned him to the Triple-A Oklahoma RedHawks
.
going 1–1 with a 1.08 ERA. These performances impressed the Detroit Tigers, who signed him on November 30, 2007.
during spring training , left by Joel Zumaya
and Fernando Rodney
after they suffered shoulder injuries. Cruceta's chances of making the Tigers bullpen was dealt a blow when his visa was withheld, allegedly due to his suspension in 2007. After two months of waiting, Cruceta was granted his visa on April 9, allowing for him to come to the U.S. from his native Dominican Republic
. After returning to the United States
, Cruceta was brought up to the Tigers on April 30, 2008, when Jason Grilli
was traded to the Colorado Rockies
. Cruceta made 13 appearances for the Tigers, going 0-3 with an ERA of 5.40. On June 3, Cruceta was designated for assignment; after clearing waivers, he joined the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens
. He became a free agent at the end of the season.
for the season. He showed fine performances in his first Korean pro league season, going 9-10 with a 4.36 ERA as a starting pitcher.
Francisco Cruceta signed a minor league contract with New York Yankees on June 28, 2011 & is currently playing in their minor league system..
Concepción de La Vega
La Vega, or Concepción de La Vega is the largest city and municipality of the central Dominican Republic and the third of the whole country...
, Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
) is a former Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
relief pitcher
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
and former starting pitcher
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
for the Samsung Lions
Samsung Lions
Samsung Lions Baseball Club is a Korea Professional Baseball team founded in 1982. They are based in Daegu and are members of the Korean Baseball Organization. Their home stadium is Daegu Baseball Stadium...
in the Korea Baseball Organization
Korea Baseball Organization
The Korea Baseball Organization is the governing body for the professional leagues of baseball in South Korea. KBO should not be confused with the Korea Professional Baseball League. KBO was founded in 1981 and has been governing two leagues, Korea Professional Baseball and Futures League since...
.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Cruceta was signed by the Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
as an amateur free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
, on May 20, . He spent the next three seasons with the DSL Dodgers
Dominican Summer Dodgers
The Dominican Summer Dodgers are a minor league baseball team in the Dominican Summer League. The team plays in the Boca Chica North division and is affiliated with the Los Angeles Dodgers.-External links:*...
in the Dominican Summer League
Dominican Summer League
The Dominican Summer League is a branch of affiliated minor league baseball which is played in the Dominican Republic. The league was founded in 1985. The 2011 72-game season begins May 28 and ends August 20...
; in his last year he went 0-4 with 1.50 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...
. For , the Dodgers brought Cruceta over to the Single-A South Georgia Waves
South Georgia Waves
The South Georgia Waves was a Low-A class minor league baseball team in Albany, Georgia for one season before relocating to Columbus, Georgia where they operated under the same name for the 2003 season before being rebranded the Columbus Catfish...
, where he went 8-5, with a 2.80 ERA and three complete game
Complete game
In baseball, a complete game is the act of a pitcher pitching an entire game without the benefit of a relief pitcher.As demonstrated by the charts below, in the early 20th century, it was common for most good Major League Baseball pitchers to pitch a complete game almost every start. Pitchers were...
s. On July 28, 2002, the Dodgers, in the midst of a pennant race, traded Cruceta with Terry Mulholland
Terry Mulholland
Terence John Mulholland is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher. He threw left-handed and batted right-handed.-Early and personal life:...
and Ricardo Rodríguez to the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
for veteran pitcher Paul Shuey
Paul Shuey
Paul Kenneth Shuey , is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher who last played for the Baltimore Orioles....
. The Indians assigned Cruceta to the Single-A Kinston Indians
Kinston Indians
The Kinston Indians were a minor league baseball team of the Carolina League , and the High-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. They were located in Kinston, North Carolina, and were named for their parent club...
.
Cleveland Indians
At Kinston, Cruceta startedStarting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
seven games, going 2-0 with a 2.50 ERA. In November, the Indians added him their 40-man roster, indicating their confidence in him. Nevertheless, Cruceta would not pitch in a major league game for the Indians until the end of the season. Cruceta began the season with the Double-A Akron Aeros
Akron Aeros
The Akron Aeros are a minor league baseball team based in Akron, Ohio, USA. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians.The Aeros play in Canal Park, located in downtown Akron, which seats 9,097 fans...
. At the time, Cruceta had in his arsenal a fastball
Fastball
The fastball is the most common type of pitch in baseball. Some "power pitchers," such as Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens, have thrown it at speeds of 95–106 mph and up to 108.1 mph , relying purely on speed to prevent the ball from being hit...
(which topped out at 94 miles per hour (151.3 km/h)), slider
Slider
In baseball, a slider is a pitch that breaks laterally and down, with a speed between that of a curveball and that of a fastball....
, and changeup
Changeup
A changeup is a type of pitch in baseball. Other names include change-of-pace, Bugs Bunny change-up, the dreaded equalizer, and simply change. The changeup is sometimes called an off-speed pitch, although that term can also be used simply to mean any pitch that is slower than a fastball...
. John Farrell, then the Indians director of player development, praised Cruceta's mechanics: "He throws the ball on a downward plane. It allows the action of all his pitches to work down and force ground-ball outs. We're ecstatic that we got him in the Rodriguez trade." Cruceta enjoyed a strong year at Akron, going 13-9 with a 3.09 ERA. Cruceta returned to the Aeros for the 2004 season, and in mid-June the Indians promoted him to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons
Buffalo Bisons
The Buffalo Bisons are a minor league baseball team based in Buffalo, New York. They currently play in the International League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets...
, where he went 6-5 with a 3.25 ERA as the Bisons defeated the Richmond Braves
Richmond Braves
The Richmond Braves were the Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves and played in the International League. Colloquially referred to as the R-Braves, they were based in Richmond, Virginia, where they played from 1966, when the Milwaukee Braves moved to Atlanta where their AAA team, the Crackers,...
for the International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
championship and the Governors' Cup
Governors' Cup
The Governors' Cup is the trophy awarded each year to the champion of the International League, one of the two current Triple-A level minor leagues of Major League Baseball.-Governors' Cup history:...
. Following the series Cruceta was one of six Bisons players called up by the Indians for the fall expansion.
Cruceta replaced the injured CC Sabathia in the starting rotation, and made his major league debut 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...
on September 21, 2004. Cruceta gave up five runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
in four innings, but did not figure in the decision, as the Indians mounted a comeback and defeated the Tigers 8-7. He pitched in one more game that season, this time giving up four runs on five hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
in 3⅔ innings on September 26, 2004, in a 6–2 loss to the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
, where Cruceta received the loss.
Cruceta returned to Buffalo for the season, but doubts developed about his role. He struggled as a starter, and attempts to convert him into a relief pitcher met with mixed results. Manager Marty Brown was open in his criticism of Cruceta's efforts to become a reliever, and acknowledged that, when he had Cruceta start a game in mid-August, "You could see he felt more comfortable in that starting role than out of the bullpen. That's a real positive for him." Just a few days after that start, the Indians designated him for assignment
Designated for assignment
Designated for assignment is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball. When a player is designated for assignment, he is immediately removed from the club's 40-man roster. This gives the club 10 days to decide what to do with the player while freeing up a roster spot for another...
. 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...
claimed him off waivers and sent him to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers
Tacoma Rainiers
The Tacoma Rainiers are a minor league baseball team that plays in the Pacific Coast League , and are the Triple-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners...
.
Seattle Mariners
Cruceta spent time with the Mariners during spring trainingSpring 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...
, but opened the year at Tacoma, where he started 28 games and compiled a 13-9 record with an ERA of 4.38 and led the Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
(PCL) in strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s. In a start against the Colorado Springs Sky Sox
Colorado Springs Sky Sox
The Colorado Springs Sky Sox are a minor league baseball team in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The team's colors are red and blue. The team plays in the Pacific Coast League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the major league Colorado Rockies...
in late May, Cruceta pitched eight shutout innings, allowing two hits and no walks
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
while striking out 11. Cruceta continued to pitch strongly, but was passed over for the PCL All-Star team, a decision criticized by the Rainiers' manager, Dave Brundage
Dave Brundage
David Charles Brundage is an American professional baseball manager. In , Brundage served as manager of the Gwinnett Braves, Triple-A farm system affiliate of the Atlanta Braves in the International League....
, who called Cruceta "dominant" and said that he had been "snubbed." The Mariners called Cruceta up in September to make a spot start, but he did not get out of the first inning against the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
, giving up five runs, including a grand slam
Grand slam (baseball)
In the sport of baseball, a grand slam is a home run hit with all three bases occupied by baserunners , thereby scoring four runs—the most possible in one play. According to The Dickson Baseball Dictionary, the term originated in the card game of contract bridge, in which a grand slam involves...
, in one inning of work. Commented Mariners' manager Mike Hargrove
Mike Hargrove
Dudley Michael Hargrove is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and manager. He is currently employed as an advisor with the Cleveland Indians....
: "It was one of those nights. He'll pitch again. Out of the bullpen." Cruceta made three relief appearances, giving up three runs in five innings of work, but at the end of the year waived him. The Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
claimed Cruceta and assigned him to the Triple-A Oklahoma RedHawks
Oklahoma RedHawks
The Oklahoma City RedHawks are a minor league baseball team based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The team, which plays in the Pacific Coast League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros...
.
Texas Rangers
In , Cruceta was suspended for 50 games at the start of the season for violating the minor league ban on steroids. When he returned though, he performed well for the Triple-A Oklahoma RedHawks, going 3–0 in 25 games, with a 3.02 ERA, while striking out 60 batters in 65⅔ innings. He also pitched well in a winter league stint in the Dominican Winter League for Gigantes del CibaoGigantes del Cibao
The Gigantes del Cibao are a baseball team that plays in the Dominican Winter League. The Gigantes have produced a number of successful major league ballplayers, including Albert Pujols and José Reyes....
going 1–1 with a 1.08 ERA. These performances impressed the Detroit Tigers, who signed him on November 30, 2007.
Detroit Tigers
Cruceta was expected to compete for the vacant spots in the Tigers bullpenBullpen
In baseball, the bullpen is the area where relief pitchers warm-up before entering a game. Depending on the ballpark, it may be situated in foul territory along the baselines or just beyond the outfield fence. Also, a team's roster of relief pitchers is metonymically referred to as "the bullpen"...
during spring training , left by Joel Zumaya
Joel Zumaya
Joel Martin Zumaya is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher known for his record-breaking fastballs.-Baseball career:...
and Fernando Rodney
Fernando Rodney
Fernando Rodney is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher. Rodney throws a fastball in the mid to upper-90 miles per hour and a changeup in the low 80s.-Minor leagues:...
after they suffered shoulder injuries. Cruceta's chances of making the Tigers bullpen was dealt a blow when his visa was withheld, allegedly due to his suspension in 2007. After two months of waiting, Cruceta was granted his visa on April 9, allowing for him to come to the U.S. from his native Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
. After returning to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Cruceta was brought up to the Tigers on April 30, 2008, when Jason Grilli
Jason Grilli
Jason Michael Grilli is an Italian-American professional baseball pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball...
was traded to the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
. Cruceta made 13 appearances for the Tigers, going 0-3 with an ERA of 5.40. On June 3, Cruceta was designated for assignment; after clearing waivers, he joined the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens
Toledo Mud Hens
The Toledo Mud Hens are a minor league baseball team located in Toledo, Ohio. The Mud Hens play in the International League, and are affiliated with the major league baseball team the Detroit Tigers, based approximately 50 miles to the north of Toledo. The current team is one of several...
. He became a free agent at the end of the season.
Samsung Lions
Cruceta signed with the Samsung Lions in the Korea Baseball OrganizationKorea Baseball Organization
The Korea Baseball Organization is the governing body for the professional leagues of baseball in South Korea. KBO should not be confused with the Korea Professional Baseball League. KBO was founded in 1981 and has been governing two leagues, Korea Professional Baseball and Futures League since...
for the season. He showed fine performances in his first Korean pro league season, going 9-10 with a 4.36 ERA as a starting pitcher.
Independent Leagues
In June 2011, Crueta was found cheating again, this time by using a illegal substance on his glove. It was discovered by home plate umpire Stephen Lockhart, who promptly tossed him out.Francisco Cruceta signed a minor league contract with New York Yankees on June 28, 2011 & is currently playing in their minor league system..