Michael Pelfrey
Encyclopedia
Michael Alan "Mike" Pelfrey (born January 14, 1984, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
, Ohio) is a starting pitcher
for the New York Mets
in Major League Baseball
. He is a 6' 7", 230-pound right-handed groundball pitcher
.
, Pelfrey entered the June 2005 amateur baseball draft. Having chosen Scott Boras
as his agent, there were concerns that Pelfrey would hold out or require a higher-than-market value contract. The Mets selected him with the ninth overall pick, even though he was projected to have gone higher than that. After six months of negotiations, the Mets signed Pelfrey to a four-year major league contract on January 10, 2006. The deal reportedly included a $3.5 million signing bonus and $5.3 million in guaranteed salary.
Pelfrey began the 2006 season on the Single-A St. Lucie Mets
, going 2–1 with a 1.64 ERA in four starts before being promoted to the AA Binghamton Mets
. With Binghamton, he was 2–1 with a 2.66 ERA and 55 strikeouts in 47 1/3 innings over his first eight starts. He throws a four-seam fastball between 91-95 mph, a hard sinker, a curveball,a splitter, and a slider.
. The Mets hit grand slam
s (José Valentín
and Carlos Beltrán
) in Pelfrey's first two major league starts. According to the Elias Sports Bureau
, this was a first for a rookie pitcher.] He was sent down to the AAA
Norfolk Tides
at the beginning of August.
In , Pelfrey pitched well in spring training and earned a spot in the Mets starting rotation to begin the season. However, after starting the season 0–5 with a 6.53 ERA, he was demoted to the AAA
New Orleans Zephyrs
. He continued to make occasional starts for the Mets throughout the season, at one point running his record to 0–7.
However, Pelfrey found success later in the season. Having been recalled when rosters expanded on September 1 to pitch in Atlanta
, Pelfrey put together his best start of the season giving up only one run on one hit in six innings for his first win of the season. Pelfrey would go on to win his next two starts in September in the midst of a close pennant race, finishing the season with a record of 3–8.
allowing two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out three in five innings pitched.
Pelfrey then followed up this performance with arguably his best start in the Majors thus far. Using his sinker to get fifteen ground ball outs, Pelfrey pitched seven shutout innings against the Washington Nationals
and earned the win. It was the first major league start of his career where he did not give up a run.
On May 15, 2008, Pelfrey pitched another good game against the Nationals. He pitched 7 and 2/3 of an inning, not allowing a hit until the seventh and only allowed one run. While the Mets still lost the game, 1–0, it was a step in the right direction for Pelfrey.
On June 11, 2008, Pelfrey again pitched a good game. He pitched 8 innings, and attempted to pitch a complete game, but was replaced by Billy Wagner when he allowed a single to lead off the 9th. In the time he pitched, he only allowed one run and walked 2, while striking out 8 Diamondbacks. However, Mike got a no-decision as the Mets won in extra innings, 5–3, after Wagner blew a 3–0 lead in the 9th by allowing a 3-run homer to Mark Reynolds with 2 outs and 2 strikes. Later in the year, Pelfrey set a club record for most batters faced without giving up a home run
, at 243; the streak was broke by Adam Dunn
of the Reds
.
On July 14, 2008, Pelfrey was named the National League Player of the Week. Pelfrey went 2–0 while not allowing a run over his two starts against the San Francisco Giants and Colorado Rockies during the week ending July 13. Over his 15.0 shutout innings, Mike scattered nine hits without a walk, while striking out 10.
On August 20, 2008, Pelfrey pitched the first complete game
of his career against the Atlanta Braves
. He struck out 3 in the 9 innings, throwing 108 pitches. It was a 3-hitter. In his next turn, Pelfrey pitched another complete game victory, this time allowing only 6 hits and 1 run, while recording his 13th win of the season. So far, David Cone
is the only former Mets
pitcher to pitch 3 consecutive complete game victories.
Once known to throw a power curveball, he gave this pitch up and learned a slider at the request of his former pitching coach Rick Peterson
. However, current pitching coach Dan Warthen
has since allowed Pelfrey to work his curveball back into his pitching repertoire.
On August 25, 2008, Pelfrey pitched his second consecutive complete game
win
, the first Met to do so since Bret Saberhagen
did it in 1995. He allowed only six hits with one earned run while striking out six and walking none.
At times, Pelfrey wears a mouthpiece while he pitches. Suffering from TMJ Disorder
after being hit by a ball in college, he can be seen chewing on it between pitches. In early 2008, after beginning the season with some good and some bad performances, Mike stopped using the mouthpiece. Mike then went on to pitch dominantly in June, July, and August. This led fans and announcer and former Mets
pitcher Ron Darling
to say that perhaps Mike was pitching better in part because he had stopped using the mouthpiece, which may have been a distraction.
and surrendered five earned runs overall in the Mets' 6–5 loss. Like the team itself, Pelfrey had a disappointing year, going 10–12 with a 5.03 ERA and a 1.51 WHIP. Pelfrey also led the majors in balk
s, with 6. On May 17, he became the first Mets pitcher since Al Leiter
to balk three times in a game.
on utilizing secondary pitches, resulting in Pelfrey beginning to throw a curveball
and splitter
.
In a bizarre, 6 hours and 53 minute, 20-inning game against the Cardinals, Pelfrey was utilized as a relief pitcher in the 20th inning. Pelfrey, a starting pitcher, earned his first career save in the major leagues before Francisco Rodriguez got a win for the season, and Joe Mather
(Cardinal's third baseman/outfielder) got the loss.
His 2010 season was his best year to date. He had a spectacular first half posting a 10-1 record. His second half was much more average posting a 5-8 record. His final stats were 15 wins and 9 losses, a 3.66 ERA, with 113 strike outs and 204 innings pitched.
Pelfrey was nominated for the Roberto Clemente Award.
. Pelfrey estimated that 99% of his assets were frozen after the fraud was revealed.
Pelfrey is known for his peculiar habit of licking his hands over the course of the game, Pelfrey has said there is a purpose behind the habit and the generally uses it to get a better grip on the ball. The Wall Street Journal counted one start of Pelfrey's and found he did this action 89 times over the course of a game.
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base in Greene and Montgomery counties in the state of Ohio. It includes both Wright and Patterson Fields, which were originally Wilbur Wright Field and Fairfield Aviation General Supply Depot. Patterson Field is located approximately...
, Ohio) is a 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 New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
in 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...
. He is a 6' 7", 230-pound right-handed groundball pitcher
Groundball pitcher
A groundball pitcher, sometimes referred to as "wormkillers" for the number of balls that hit the dirt and "kill worms" is a pitcher that relies on getting hitters to hit into ground outs instead of flyballs or strikeouts....
.
Professional career
After his junior year at Wichita State UniversityWichita State University
Wichita State University is a NCAA Division I public university in Wichita, Kansas with selective admissions. WSU is one of six state universities governed by the Kansas Board of Regents. The current president is Dr. Donald Beggs....
, Pelfrey entered the June 2005 amateur baseball draft. Having chosen Scott Boras
Scott Boras
Scott Boras is an American sports agent, specializing in baseball. He is the founder, owner and president of the Boras Corporation, a sports agency based in Newport Beach, Calif. that represents roughly 175 professional baseball clients, including many of the game's highest-profile players...
as his agent, there were concerns that Pelfrey would hold out or require a higher-than-market value contract. The Mets selected him with the ninth overall pick, even though he was projected to have gone higher than that. After six months of negotiations, the Mets signed Pelfrey to a four-year major league contract on January 10, 2006. The deal reportedly included a $3.5 million signing bonus and $5.3 million in guaranteed salary.
Pelfrey began the 2006 season on the Single-A St. Lucie Mets
St. Lucie Mets
The St. Lucie Mets are a minor league baseball team based in Port St. Lucie, Florida.The team, which plays in the Florida State League, is the High-A affiliate of the New York Mets major-league club.The team plays at Digital Domain Park...
, going 2–1 with a 1.64 ERA in four starts before being promoted to the AA Binghamton Mets
Binghamton Mets
The Binghamton Mets are a U.S. minor league baseball team based in Binghamton, New York. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the New York Mets major-league club...
. With Binghamton, he was 2–1 with a 2.66 ERA and 55 strikeouts in 47 1/3 innings over his first eight starts. He throws a four-seam fastball between 91-95 mph, a hard sinker, a curveball,a splitter, and a slider.
2006
Pelfrey made his major-league debut with the Mets on July 8, 2006, earning the win in a 17–3 victory against the Florida MarlinsFlorida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
. The Mets hit 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...
s (José Valentín
José Valentín
José Antonio Valentín is a former Major League Baseball infielder, who played with the Milwaukee Brewers , Chicago White Sox , Los Angeles Dodgers , and New York Mets .-Early years:...
and Carlos Beltrán
Carlos Beltrán
Carlos Iván Beltrán is a Major League Baseball outfielder.-Early life:In his youth, Beltrán excelled in many sports, with volleyball and baseball being his favorites. At his father's urging, he gave up volleyball to concentrate on baseball when he was seventeen...
) in Pelfrey's first two major league starts. According to the Elias Sports Bureau
Elias Sports Bureau
The Elias Sports Bureau is an American company that provides historical research and statistical services in the field of professional sports.In 1913, Al Munro Elias and his brother Walter established the Al Munro Elias Bureau in New York City...
, this was a first for a rookie pitcher.] He was sent down to the AAA
AAA (baseball)
Triple-A refers to the highest level of play in minor league baseball in the United States and Mexico.-Purpose:Triple-A teams' main purpose is to prepare players for the Major Leagues:...
Norfolk Tides
Norfolk Tides
The Norfolk Tides are a minor league baseball team in the Triple-A International League. They play at Harbor Park in Norfolk, Virginia. Since 2007 they have been a farm team of the Baltimore Orioles; prior to that, they had a 38-year affiliation with the New York Mets.-Franchise history:The...
at the beginning of August.
2007
AAA (baseball)
Triple-A refers to the highest level of play in minor league baseball in the United States and Mexico.-Purpose:Triple-A teams' main purpose is to prepare players for the Major Leagues:...
New Orleans Zephyrs
New Orleans Zephyrs
The New Orleans Zephyrs are a minor league baseball team based in Metairie, Louisiana, a suburb of New Orleans. The Zephyrs play in the Pacific Coast League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. The Zephyrs play their home games at Zephyr Field....
. He continued to make occasional starts for the Mets throughout the season, at one point running his record to 0–7.
However, Pelfrey found success later in the season. Having been recalled when rosters expanded on September 1 to pitch in Atlanta
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
, Pelfrey put together his best start of the season giving up only one run on one hit in six innings for his first win of the season. Pelfrey would go on to win his next two starts in September in the midst of a close pennant race, finishing the season with a record of 3–8.
2008
On March 30, 2008 the Mets named Pelfrey as their Number 5 starter. Pelfrey made his first start of the season on April 9, earning a win against the Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
allowing two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out three in five innings pitched.
Pelfrey then followed up this performance with arguably his best start in the Majors thus far. Using his sinker to get fifteen ground ball outs, Pelfrey pitched seven shutout innings against the Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
and earned the win. It was the first major league start of his career where he did not give up a run.
On May 15, 2008, Pelfrey pitched another good game against the Nationals. He pitched 7 and 2/3 of an inning, not allowing a hit until the seventh and only allowed one run. While the Mets still lost the game, 1–0, it was a step in the right direction for Pelfrey.
On June 11, 2008, Pelfrey again pitched a good game. He pitched 8 innings, and attempted to pitch a complete game, but was replaced by Billy Wagner when he allowed a single to lead off the 9th. In the time he pitched, he only allowed one run and walked 2, while striking out 8 Diamondbacks. However, Mike got a no-decision as the Mets won in extra innings, 5–3, after Wagner blew a 3–0 lead in the 9th by allowing a 3-run homer to Mark Reynolds with 2 outs and 2 strikes. Later in the year, Pelfrey set a club record for most batters faced without giving up a home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
, at 243; the streak was broke by Adam Dunn
Adam Dunn
Adam Troy Dunn , nicknamed "Big Donkey", is an American Major League Baseball first baseman, outfielder, and designated hitter for the Chicago White Sox. He bats left-handed and throws right-handed....
of the Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
.
On July 14, 2008, Pelfrey was named the National League Player of the Week. Pelfrey went 2–0 while not allowing a run over his two starts against the San Francisco Giants and Colorado Rockies during the week ending July 13. Over his 15.0 shutout innings, Mike scattered nine hits without a walk, while striking out 10.
On August 20, 2008, Pelfrey pitched the first 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...
of his career against the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
. He struck out 3 in the 9 innings, throwing 108 pitches. It was a 3-hitter. In his next turn, Pelfrey pitched another complete game victory, this time allowing only 6 hits and 1 run, while recording his 13th win of the season. So far, David Cone
David Cone
David Brian Cone is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. During a 17-year baseball career, he pitched from 1986-2003 for six different teams. Cone pitched the sixteenth perfect game in baseball history. He also set the MLB record for most years between 20-win seasons. He was a member of five...
is the only former Mets
METS
The Metadata Encoding and Transmission Standard is a metadata standard for encoding descriptive, administrative, and structural metadata regarding objects within a digital library, expressed using the XML schema language of the World Wide Web Consortium...
pitcher to pitch 3 consecutive complete game victories.
Once known to throw a power curveball, he gave this pitch up and learned a slider at the request of his former pitching coach Rick Peterson
Rick Peterson
Erick Harding "Rick" Peterson is a former pitcher and pitching coach in Major League Baseball. He was a pitcher in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, but is most notable as the pitching coach for the Oakland Athletics and New York Mets...
. However, current pitching coach Dan Warthen
Dan Warthen
Daniel Dean Warthen is an American former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher and current coach for the Brooklyn Cyclones Daniel Dean Warthen (born December 1, 1952, in Omaha, Nebraska) is an American former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher and current coach for the Brooklyn...
has since allowed Pelfrey to work his curveball back into his pitching repertoire.
On August 25, 2008, Pelfrey pitched his second consecutive 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...
win
Win (baseball)
In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...
, the first Met to do so since Bret Saberhagen
Bret Saberhagen
Bret William Saberhagen is a former Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher.-Early years:Bret Saberhagen attended Grover Cleveland High School, located in Reseda, California. Saberhagen starred in both basketball and baseball...
did it in 1995. He allowed only six hits with one earned run while striking out six and walking none.
At times, Pelfrey wears a mouthpiece while he pitches. Suffering from TMJ Disorder
Temporomandibular joint disorder
Temporomandibular joint disorder , or TMJ syndrome, is an umbrella term covering acute or chronic inflammation of the temporomandibular joint, which connects the mandible to the skull. The disorder and resultant dysfunction can result in significant pain and impairment...
after being hit by a ball in college, he can be seen chewing on it between pitches. In early 2008, after beginning the season with some good and some bad performances, Mike stopped using the mouthpiece. Mike then went on to pitch dominantly in June, July, and August. This led fans and announcer and former Mets
METS
The Metadata Encoding and Transmission Standard is a metadata standard for encoding descriptive, administrative, and structural metadata regarding objects within a digital library, expressed using the XML schema language of the World Wide Web Consortium...
pitcher Ron Darling
Ron Darling
Ronald Maurice Darling, Jr. is an American former right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Mets, Oakland Athletics and Montreal Expos...
to say that perhaps Mike was pitching better in part because he had stopped using the mouthpiece, which may have been a distraction.
2009
Pelfrey had the honor of starting the first official game at Citi Field on April 13. He allowed a leadoff home run to the Padres' Jody GerutJody Gerut
Joseph Diego Gerut is a former Major League Baseball center fielder. He attended Jackson Middle School, Willowbrook High School, and later Stanford University...
and surrendered five earned runs overall in the Mets' 6–5 loss. Like the team itself, Pelfrey had a disappointing year, going 10–12 with a 5.03 ERA and a 1.51 WHIP. Pelfrey also led the majors in balk
Balk
In baseball, a pitcher can commit a number of illegal motions or actions that constitute a balk. In games played under the Official Baseball Rules, a balk results in a dead ball or delayed dead ball. In certain other circumstances, a balk may be wholly or partially disregarded...
s, with 6. On May 17, he became the first Mets pitcher since Al Leiter
Al Leiter
Alois Terry "Al" Leiter is a former Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher. He is now a studio analyst for MLB Network, and a color commentator for the YES Network.-Early career :Leiter attended Central Regional High School....
to balk three times in a game.
2010
During the 2009–2010 offseason, Pelfrey worked with Mets pitching coach Dan WarthenDan Warthen
Daniel Dean Warthen is an American former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher and current coach for the Brooklyn Cyclones Daniel Dean Warthen (born December 1, 1952, in Omaha, Nebraska) is an American former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher and current coach for the Brooklyn...
on utilizing secondary pitches, resulting in Pelfrey beginning to throw a curveball
Curveball
The curveball is a type of pitch in baseball thrown with a characteristic grip and hand movement that imparts forward spin to the ball causing it to dive in a downward path as it approaches the plate. Its close relatives are the slider and the slurve. The "curve" of the ball varies from pitcher to...
and splitter
Split-finger fastball
A split-finger fastball or splitter is a pitch in baseball. It is named after the technique of putting the index and middle finger on different sides of the ball, or "splitting" them. When thrown hard, it appears to be a fastball to the batter, but suddenly "drops off the table" towards home...
.
In a bizarre, 6 hours and 53 minute, 20-inning game against the Cardinals, Pelfrey was utilized as a relief pitcher in the 20th inning. Pelfrey, a starting pitcher, earned his first career save in the major leagues before Francisco Rodriguez got a win for the season, and Joe Mather
Joe Mather
Joseph Paul Mather is an American professional baseball outfielder and third baseman who is a free agent.-Early life:Mather was born on July 23, 1982, in Sandpoint, Idaho. At Mountain Pointe High School in Ahwatukee, Arizona he played basketball and was also an All-State performer in baseball...
(Cardinal's third baseman/outfielder) got the loss.
His 2010 season was his best year to date. He had a spectacular first half posting a 10-1 record. His second half was much more average posting a 5-8 record. His final stats were 15 wins and 9 losses, a 3.66 ERA, with 113 strike outs and 204 innings pitched.
2011
On June 18, 2011, Pelfrey pitched a complete-game gem against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He allowed one run, five hits, and struck out five. He threw a season high 123 pitches, second highest of his career.Pelfrey was nominated for the Roberto Clemente Award.
Personal life
Pelfrey was one of the victims of the $8 billion dollar fraud perpetrated by wealth manager Allen StanfordAllen Stanford
Robert Allen Stanford is a former prominent financier and sponsor of professional sports who is in prison awaiting trial on charges his investment company was a massive Ponzi scheme and fraud. Stanford was the chairman of the now defunct Stanford Financial Group of Companies. A fifth-generation...
. Pelfrey estimated that 99% of his assets were frozen after the fraud was revealed.
Pelfrey is known for his peculiar habit of licking his hands over the course of the game, Pelfrey has said there is a purpose behind the habit and the generally uses it to get a better grip on the ball. The Wall Street Journal counted one start of Pelfrey's and found he did this action 89 times over the course of a game.
External links
- No 12. – MLN FAB50 Baseball 2006 – Minor League News