Ernesto Frieri Gutiérrez ree-eh'-ree(born July 19, 1985) is a Colombian former

professional baseball Professional baseball is organized baseball in which players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system. It is played in leagues and associated farm teams throughout the world. Modern professional ...

relief pitcher In baseball and softball, a relief pitcher or reliever is a pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed because of fatigue, ineffectiveness, injury, or ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as inclement weat ...

. He played in

Major League Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization and the oldest major professional sports league in the world. MLB is composed of 30 total teams, divided equally between the National League (NL) and the American League (AL), ...

(MLB) for the

San Diego Padres The San Diego Padres are an American professional baseball team based in San Diego. The Padres compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Founded in 1969, the club has won two NL penn ...

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim The Los Angeles Angels are an American professional baseball team based in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The Angels compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. Since 1966, the team h ...

, Pittsburgh Pirates,

Tampa Bay Rays The Tampa Bay Rays are an American professional baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. Since its inception, the team's home v ...

, and Texas Rangers.

Professional career

San Diego Padres

Frieri was signed by scouts Robert Rowley and Marical DelValle. He began his professional career in 2005, splitting the season between the

AZL Padres The Arizona Complex League Padres are a Rookie-level affiliate of the San Diego Padres, competing in the Arizona Complex League of Minor League Baseball. The team plays its home games at Peoria Sports Complex in Peoria, Arizona, which is also the ...

and

Lake Elsinore Storm The Lake Elsinore Storm are a Minor League Baseball team of the California League and the Single-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres. The Storm plays their home games at Lake Elsinore Diamond (Pete Lehr Field), which opened in 1994; the park s ...

. For the AZL Padres, he went 7–1 with a 1.17

earned run average In baseball statistics, earned run average (ERA) is the average of earned runs allowed by a pitcher per nine innings pitched (i.e. the traditional length of a game). It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number ...

(ERA) in 17 games in five starts. In 46 innings pitched, he

struck out In baseball or softball, a strikeout (or strike-out) occurs when a batter accumulates three strikes during a time at bat. It usually means that the batter is out. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters, and is denote ...

59 batters. In two relief appearances with the Storm, he went 0–0 with a 2.70 ERA. Ernesto Frieri on September 12, 2010 (1)

In 2006, Frieri split the season between the

Eugene Emeralds The Eugene Emeralds (nicknamed the Ems) are a Minor League Baseball team in the northwest United States, based in Eugene, Oregon. The Emeralds are members of the Northwest League and are affiliated with the San Francisco Giants. Eugene plays thei ...

Fort Wayne Wizards A fortification is a military construction or building designed for the defense of territories in warfare, and is also used to establish rule in a region during peacetime. The term is derived from Latin ''fortis'' ("strong") and ''facere'' ...

and

. With the Emeralds, he went 3–3 with a 3.82 ERA in 27 appearances in one start. In one game with the Wizards he had a 9.00 ERA, and in two games with the Storm he had a 6.00 ERA. In 2007, Frieri played for the Wizards, appearing in 40 games, and Storm, appearing in 13 games, going a combined 2–2 with a 1.98 ERA and 92 strikeouts in 86 innings. In 2008, he played for the Storm, the Double-A San Antonio Missions and the Triple-A

Portland Beavers The Portland Beavers was the name of separate minor league baseball teams, which represented Portland, Oregon, in the Pacific Coast League (PCL). The team was established in 1903, the first year of the PCL. Franchise history Many baseball teams ...

. He went 8–6 with a 4.00 ERA in 33 games, appearing in 18 starts with the Storm. With the Missions, he went 1–0 with a 4.09 ERA in two games, and with the Beavers he went 1–0 with a 1.50 ERA in one game. Frieri had a break-out year in 2009 playing for the Missions and the Padres. With the Missions, he went 10–9 with a 3.59 ERA with 118

strikeouts In baseball or softball, a strikeout (or strike-out) occurs when a batter accumulates three strikes during a time at bat. It usually means that the batter is out. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters, and is deno ...

in 140 innings pitched appearing in 27 games, 26 for starts. He made the

Texas League The Texas League is a Minor League Baseball league which has operated in the South Central United States since 1902. It is classified as a Double-A league. Despite the league's name, only its five South Division teams are actually based in the ...

All-Star team and on July 27 was named as the Texas League Pitcher of the Week. On September 14 he and

Luis Durango Luis A. Durango (born April 23, 1986) is a Panamanian former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Diego Padres and Houston Astros and was also a member of the Panama national baseball team. Durang ...

were called up to the Major Leagues. He made his Major League debut on September 26 against the

Arizona Diamondbacks The Arizona Diamondbacks (colloquially known as the D-backs) are an American professional baseball team based in Phoenix. The Diamondbacks compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. The ...

, pitching one inning of no-run ball and throwing two strikeouts. Frieri finished the 2009 season appearing in two games without giving up a run. In 2010, Frieri made 33 appearances, sporting an ERA of 1.71 with 41 strikeouts. He became a permanent bullpen piece in 2011, appearing in 59 games for the Padres. Frieri's pitching repertoire consists of a

four-seam fastball A four-seam fastball, also called a rising fastball, a four-seamer, or a cross-seam fastball, is a pitch in baseball. It is a member of the fastball family of pitches and is usually the hardest (i.e., fastest) ball thrown by a pitcher. It is c ...

(90–94 mph), which is his primary pitch, as well as a

breaking ball In baseball, a breaking ball is a pitch that does not travel straight as it approaches the batter; it will have sideways or downward motion on it, sometimes both (see slider). A breaking ball is not a specific pitch by that name, but is any ...

(77–80) that is referred to variously as a curveball or a

slider Slider or Sliders may refer to: Arts * K.K. Slider, a fictional character within the ''Animal Crossing'' franchise * '' The Slider'', a 1972 album by T. Rex * ''Sliders'' (TV series), an American science fiction and fantasy television series * ...

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

On May 3, 2012, the Padres traded Frieri to the

for second baseman

Alexi Amarista Alexi Jose Amarista (born April 6, 1989) is a Venezuelan professional baseball utility player for El Águila de Veracruz of the Mexican League. Amarista was signed by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim as an amateur free agent in 2007. He has pl ...

and minor league pitcher

Donn Roach Donn Mitchell Roach (born December 14, 1989) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut in 2014 with the San Diego Padres, and he has played for the Chicago Cubs and Seattle Mariners. Roac ...

. Frieri earned his first career save on May 23, 2012 against the Oakland Athletics. On September 25, 2012, Frieri was one of five pitchers (

Zack Greinke Donald Zackary Greinke ( ; born October 21, 1983) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He made his MLB debut with the Kansas City Royals in 2004 and has also played in MLB for the Milwaukee Brewers, Los An ...

Garrett Richards Garrett Thomas Richards (born May 27, 1988) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He has previously played in MLB for the Los Angeles Angels, San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox and Texas Rangers. Amateur care ...

Scott Downs Scott may refer to: Places Canada * Scott, Quebec, municipality in the Nouvelle-Beauce regional municipality in Quebec * Scott, Saskatchewan, a town in the Rural Municipality of Tramping Lake No. 380 * Rural Municipality of Scott No. 98, Sask ...

Kevin Jepsen Kevin Martin Jepsen (born July 26, 1984) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Tampa Bay Rays, Minnesota Twins, and Texas Rangers. Professional care ...

) to combine for 20 strikeouts in a nine-inning game, tying a Major League Baseball record. For the season, Frieri notched 23 saves while striking out 80 batters in 54.1 innings for the Angels. Frieri became the full-time closer for the Angels in 2013. He had a 3.80 ERA and recorded 37 saves, despite allowing 11 home runs. On April 25, 2014, Frieri was pulled from the closer role in favor of Joe Smith after multiple poor outings. After a few questionable outings from Smith, Frieri and Smith began splitting the role. Through late June 2014, Frieri had an ERA of 6.39 and allowed eight home runs in 31 innings.

Pittsburgh Pirates

On June 27, 2014, Frieri was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for relief pitcher

Jason Grilli Jason Michael Grilli (born November 11, 1976) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Florida Marlins, Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers, Colorado Rockies, Pittsburgh Pirates, Los A ...

. Frieri did not recover his control, as he surrendered 12 runs in 10.2 innings for the Pirates and was designated for assignment on August 8, 2014, then outrighted to Triple-A Indianapolis Indians on August 13. On September 8, Frieri was released.

Tampa Bay Rays

Frieri signed a one-year deal with the

on November 26, 2014. On June 2, Frieri was designated for assignment by the Rays after once again suffering through bouts of extreme inconsistency. In 23.1 innings, Frieri struck out 19 while permitting 11 walks and 20 hits.

Philadelphia Phillies

On December 14, 2015, Frieri signed a minor league deal with the Philadelphia Phillies. He was released on April 5, 2016. Frieri took off the 2016 season to work on his pitching mechanics.

New York Yankees

Frieri pitched in the 2017 World Baseball Classic for the Colombian national baseball team. After Colombia's elimination, he signed a minor league contract with the

New York Yankees The New York Yankees are an American professional baseball team based in the New York City borough of the Bronx. The Yankees compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. They are one of ...

. He exercised his opt out clause and became a free agent.

Texas Rangers

On June 6, Frieri signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers. He had his contract purchased on June 17, 2017. After allowing six runs in seven innings, Frieri was designated for assignment on July 4, 2017. On July 8, Frieri was outrighted to Triple-A.

Seattle Mariners

Frieri was traded to the

Seattle Mariners The Seattle Mariners are an American professional baseball team based in Seattle. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. The team joined the American League as an expansion team ...

on August 8, 2017 for $1. He elected free agency on October 2, 2017.

Milwaukee Brewers

On January 18, 2018, Frieri signed a minor league deal with the Milwaukee Brewers. He was released on March 18.

Acereros de Monclova

On April 5, 2018, Frieri signed with the

Acereros de Monclova The Acereros de Monclova (English: Monclova Steelers) are a professional baseball team in the Mexican League based in Monclova, Coahuila, Mexico. Their home ballpark is Estadio de Béisbol Monclova, which has a capacity of 11,000 people. The Ace ...

of the

Mexican Baseball League The Mexican League (, ) is a professional baseball league based in Mexico and the oldest running professional league in the country. The league has 18 teams organized in two divisions, North and South. Teams play 114 games each season. Five t ...

. He was released on April 21, 2018.

References

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Frieri, Ernesto 1985 births Living people Acereros de Monclova players Águilas del Zulia players Arizona League Padres players Charros de Jalisco players Colombian expatriate baseball players in Mexico Colombian expatriate baseball players in the United States Durham Bulls players Eugene Emeralds players Fort Wayne Wizards players Gigantes del Cibao players Colombian expatriate baseball players in the Dominican Republic Gulf Coast Rays players Indianapolis Indians players Lake Elsinore Storm players Los Angeles Angels players Major League Baseball pitchers Major League Baseball players from Colombia Mexican League baseball pitchers Navegantes del Magallanes players Colombian expatriate baseball players in Venezuela People from Bolívar Department Pittsburgh Pirates players Portland Beavers players Round Rock Express players San Antonio Missions players San Diego Padres players Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders players Tacoma Rainiers players Tampa Bay Rays players Texas Rangers players Tucson Padres players 2017 World Baseball Classic players