Wilfredo Jose Ledezma Acosta (born January 21, 1981) is a
Venezuela
Venezuela (; ), officially the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela ( es, link=no, República Bolivariana de Venezuela), is a country on the northern coast of South America, consisting of a continental landmass and many islands and islets in th ...
n professional
baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each, taking turns batting and fielding. The game occurs over the course of several plays, with each play generally beginning when a player on the fielding tea ...
pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throws ("pitches") the 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 ...
who is currently a free agent. He previously played for the
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are an American professional baseball team based in Detroit. The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the American League (AL) Central division. One of the AL's eight charter franchises, the club was f ...
,
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are an American professional baseball team based in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The Braves compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) National League East, East division. The Braves ...
,
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 penna ...
,
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 f ...
,
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are an American professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C.. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) East division. From 2005 to 2007, the team played in RFK Stadiu ...
,
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a Canadian professional baseball team based in Toronto. The Blue Jays compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. Since 1989, the team has played its home games ...
and
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are an American professional baseball team based in Pittsburgh. The Pirates compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) Central division. Founded as part of the American Associati ...
. He bats and throws left-handed.
Career
Boston Red Sox
Ledezma was originally signed by the
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Boston. The Red Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight ...
as an amateur free agent in 1998. He started his career with the
DSL Red Sox
The Dominican Summer League Red Sox, often called the DSL Red Sox, are a Minor League Baseball affiliate of the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball, playing in the foreign Dominican Summer League. The team, classed as a Rookie League franchis ...
in 1998, playing for them one season before joining the
GCL Red Sox
The Florida Complex League Red Sox are a professional baseball team competing in the rookie-level Florida Complex League (FCL) of Minor League Baseball. The team is owned and operated by the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). Prior ...
(1999) and the
Augusta Greenjackets
The Augusta GreenJackets are a Minor League Baseball team of the Carolina League and the Single-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. They play their home games at SRP Park in North Augusta, South Carolina, which opened in April 2018. They previous ...
(2000). He missed the entire 2001 season due to a stress fracture in his left elbow. In 2002, he returned to Augusta but was shut down for the rest of the season on May 22 due to a lower back strain.
Detroit Tigers
Ledezma was drafted by the
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are an American professional baseball team based in Detroit. The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the American League (AL) Central division. One of the AL's eight charter franchises, the club was f ...
in the 2002
Rule 5 draft on December 16, 2002 and made his Major League debut on April 2, 2003 for the Tigers, working two scoreless innings against the
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are an American professional baseball team based in Minneapolis. The Twins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central Division. The team is named after the Twin Cities area w ...
. His first win came in a two-inning relief appearance on June 4 against 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 penna ...
. He made his first start on July 8 against the
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The White Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. The team is owned by Jerry Reinsdorf, and p ...
. Overall, he was in 34 games (8 starts) during his rookie season and finished 3–7 with a 5.79 ERA.
Between 2004 and 2007, he alternated between pitching for the Tigers and for the AA
Erie SeaWolves
The Erie SeaWolves are an United States, American professional baseball team based in Erie, Pennsylvania. They compete in Minor League Baseball (MiLB) as a member of the Eastern League (1938–present), Eastern League's Southwest Division, serving ...
and AAA
Toledo Mud Hens
The Toledo Mud Hens are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. They are located in Toledo, Ohio, and play their home games at Fifth Third Field. A Mud Hens team has played in ...
. In 2004 with Erie, he was named the Tigers "minor league pitcher of the year" and selected to the
Eastern League mid-season all-star team. He pitched in 106 games for Detroit, with a 15–18 record and 5.15 ERA. Ledezma was also the winning pitcher in game 4 of the
2006 American League Championship Series
The 2006 American League Championship Series (ALCS), the second round of the 2006 American League playoffs, began on October 10 and ended on October 14. The wild card Detroit Tigers swept the West Division champion Oakland Athletics 4 games to ...
.
Atlanta Braves
Ledezma was traded from the Tigers to the
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are an American professional baseball team based in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The Braves compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) National League East, East division. The Braves ...
for
Macay McBride
Joseph Macay McBride (born October 24, 1982) is an American former professional baseball relief pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Atlanta Braves and the Detroit Tigers.
Career High school
McBride attended Screven County ...
on June 20, 2007. On July 13, 2007, he was placed on the restricted list. He had gone home to
Venezuela
Venezuela (; ), officially the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela ( es, link=no, República Bolivariana de Venezuela), is a country on the northern coast of South America, consisting of a continental landmass and many islands and islets in th ...
during the All-Star break, during which he accidentally damaged his
visa
Visa most commonly refers to:
*Visa Inc., a US multinational financial and payment cards company
** Visa Debit card issued by the above company
** Visa Electron, a debit card
** Visa Plus, an interbank network
*Travel visa, a document that allows ...
and
passport
A passport is an official travel document issued by a government that contains a person's identity. A person with a passport can travel to and from foreign countries more easily and access consular assistance. A passport certifies the personal ...
in the washing machine. The Braves activated him from the restricted list on July 19, 2007. Ledezma was
designated for assignment
Designated for assignment (DFA) is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball (MLB). A player who is designated for assignment is immediately removed from the team's 40-man roster, after which the team must within seven days, return the pla ...
on July 29 by the Braves. He was 0–2 with a 7.71 ERA in 12 appearances for Atlanta.
San Diego Padres
On July 31, 2007, Ledezma was traded to 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 penna ...
for reliever
Royce Ring
Roger Royce Ring (born December 21, 1980) is an American former professional baseball pitcher and coach. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Mets, San Diego Padres, Atlanta Braves and New York Yankees.
Early life
Ring was bo ...
. He appeared in 9 games with the Padres, with an ERA of 6.28 and also appeared in 11 games for the AAA
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 ...
, where his ERA was 4.41.
Arizona Diamondbacks
On August 29, 2008, Ledezma was claimed off waivers by 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 f ...
and appeared in 3 games for them before he was non-tendered following the season, becoming a free agent.
Washington Nationals
In January 2009, he signed a minor league contract with the
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are an American professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C.. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) East division. From 2005 to 2007, the team played in RFK Stadiu ...
. He appeared in only 5 games for the Nationals, spending most of his time with the
Syracuse Chiefs
Syracuse may refer to:
Places Italy
*Syracuse, Sicily, or spelled as ''Siracusa''
*Province of Syracuse
United States
*Syracuse, New York
**East Syracuse, New York
**North Syracuse, New York
*Syracuse, Indiana
* Syracuse, Kansas
*Syracuse, Miss ...
. He was released on July 6, 2009.
Toronto Blue Jays
Ledezma signed with the
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a Canadian professional baseball team based in Toronto. The Blue Jays compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. Since 1989, the team has played its home games ...
on August 5, 2009 and pitched in 8 games for the
New Hampshire Fisher Cats
The New Hampshire Fisher Cats are a Minor League Baseball team based in Manchester, New Hampshire. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays major league club.
During the team's first seas ...
and 3 for the
Dunedin Blue Jays
The Dunedin Blue Jays are a Minor League Baseball team of the Florida State League and are the Single-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays Major League Baseball club. They are located in Dunedin, Florida, and play their home games at TD Ballpark, ...
but was never called up to the Majors. In October 2009, he was granted free agency.
Pittsburgh Pirates
On November 30, 2009, Ledezma signed a minor league contract with the
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are an American professional baseball team based in Pittsburgh. The Pirates compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) Central division. Founded as part of the American Associati ...
, with an invite to Spring training.
On July 27, 2010, he was called up with
Steven Jackson
Steven Rashad Jackson (born July 22, 1983) is an American former football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 12 seasons, primarily with the St. Louis Rams. He played college football at Oregon State and was sele ...
to replace
Brad Lincoln
Brad Eric Lincoln (born May 25, 1985) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Toronto Blue Jays, and Philadelphia Phillies. Prior to playing professionally, he atten ...
and
Brendan Donnelly
Brendan Kevin Donnelly (born July 4, 1971) is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. A right-hander, Donnelly pitched for twenty-one teams (two of them independents), twelve organizations, two independent leagues, eleven organized minor ...
. The Pirates designated Ledezma for assignment on December 24, 2010 to clear roster space after signing free agent pitcher
Aaron Thompson
Aaron M. Thompson (born February 28, 1987) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Minnesota Twins.
Early life
Thompson was born in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He ...
. He was in 27 games for the Pirates, with an 0–3 record and 6.86 ERA.
Toronto Blue Jays
On January 5, 2011, Ledezma was claimed off waivers by the
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a Canadian professional baseball team based in Toronto. The Blue Jays compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. Since 1989, the team has played its home games ...
. He began the 2011 season with the Triple-A
Las Vegas 51s before having his contract purchased on July 23.
Jo-Jo Reyes
Joseph Albert Reyes (born November 20, 1984) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in MLB for the Atlanta Braves, Toronto Blue Jays, Baltimore Orioles and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He has also played in the KBO Leagu ...
was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for Ledezma.
Following a 12–0 loss to the
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) American League East, East division. Since its inception ...
on August 28 (during which Ledezma pitched the ninth inning and surrendered 6 earned runs on five hits and 3 walks), Ledezma was designated for assignment.
Brian Tallet
Brian Curtis Tallet (born September 21, 1977) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. Tallet played the majority of his career for the Toronto Blue Jays. He also played for the St. Louis Cardinals and the Cleveland Indians. He is 6' ...
was called up to replace Ledezma. After the 2011 season, he elected for free agency.
Los Angeles Dodgers
In November 2011, he signed a minor league contract with the
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are an American professional baseball team based in Los Angeles. The Dodgers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Established in 1883 in the city of Brooklyn ...
that contained an invitation to spring training. The Dodgers assigned him to the AAA
Albuquerque Isotopes
The Albuquerque Isotopes are a Minor League Baseball team of the Pacific Coast League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies. They play home games at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park in Albuquerque, New Mexico, at an el ...
to start the 2012 season. He appeared in 38 games for the Isotopes, with a 3–3 record and 6.99 ERA. He was released on July 24, 2012.
Chiba Lotte Marines
On July 27, 2012, Ledezma signed with the
Lotte Marines of the
Nippon Professional Baseball
or NPB is the highest level of baseball in Japan. Locally, it is often called , meaning ''Professional Baseball''.
Outside Japan, it is often just referred to as "Japanese baseball". The roots of the league can be traced back to the formation ...
(NPB). On August 24, 2012, he made his NPB debut. On December 1, 2012, he re-signed with Marines. Ledezma recorded a 3.23 ERA in 26 games for Lotte in 2013. On November 25, 2013, Ledezma became a free agent.
Detroit Tigers (second stint)
Ledezma signed a minor league deal with the Detroit Tigers on March 3, 2014. On March 27, 2014, Ledezma was released by the Tigers organization.
Leones de Yucatán
On June 13, 2014, Ledezma signed with the
Leones de Yucatán
The Leones de Yucatán (English: Yucatán Lions) are a professional baseball team in the Mexican League. The team play its home games at Parque Kukulcán Alamo in Mérida, Yucatán. The Leones have won the Mexican League title five times in , , , ...
of the
Mexican 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 te ...
. He recorded a 1.91 ERA in 27 appearances before becoming a free agent after the year.
Minnesota Twins
On December 23, 2014, Ledezma signed a minor league contract with the
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are an American professional baseball team based in Minneapolis. The Twins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central Division. The team is named after the Twin Cities area w ...
organization that contained an invitation to spring training. He was released on April 2, 2015.
Pericos de Puebla
On May 18, 2015, he signed with the
Pericos de Puebla
The Pericos de Puebla (English: "Puebla Parrots") are a professional baseball team in the Mexican League based in Puebla, Mexico.
History
The state of Puebla came upon baseball in the early 1920s when returning Poblanos that had come from militar ...
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 te ...
. In 21 games for Puebla, Ledezma logged a 3-4 record and 3.55 ERA. On December 2, 2015, Ledezma was traded to the
Leones de Yucatán
The Leones de Yucatán (English: Yucatán Lions) are a professional baseball team in the Mexican League. The team play its home games at Parque Kukulcán Alamo in Mérida, Yucatán. The Leones have won the Mexican League title five times in , , , ...
. He was released by the team on February 5, 2016. On April 1, Ledezma re-signed with Puebla, and posted a 4.91 ERA in 21 games before being released on May 26.
Rojos del Águila de Veracruz
On May 27, 2016, Ledezma signed with the
Rojos del Águila de Veracruz, where he logged a 2.03 ERA in 30 appearances. He became a free agent after the 2016 season. Ledezma later resigned with the club on June 20, 2017. In 21 games for Veracruz, Ledezma logged a 3.27 ERA with 27 strikeouts. He then became a free agent again following the 2017 season.
Piratas de Campeche
On March 31, 2019, Ledezma signed with the
Piratas de Campeche
The Piratas de Campeche (English: Campeche Pirates) are a professional baseball team in the Mexican League (LMB) based in Campeche, Campeche, Mexico.
History
In 1980, the Alacranes de Durango moved to Campeche, and played their home games at Ven ...
of the
Mexican 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 te ...
. He was released on May 2, 2019.
Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos
On June 27, 2021, Ledezma signed with the
Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos
The Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos (''Owls of the Two Laredos''), formerly known as the Tecolotes de Nuevo Laredo (''Owls of Nuevo Laredo''), are a Minor League Baseball team based in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, and Laredo, Texas in the Mexican Leagu ...
of the
Mexican 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 te ...
. On July 13, Ledezma was released by Dos Laredos after recording a 9.00 ERA in 3 appearances.
See also
*
List of Major League Baseball players from Venezuela
From 1939 to 2019, 397 Venezuelan baseball players born in Venezuela have played in Major League Baseball. This list shows players who appeared in at least one game in MLB, including number indicating order of arrival, name of player, position, ...
References
External links
, o
Retrosheet
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ledezma, Wil
1981 births
Living people
Albuquerque Isotopes players
Arizona Diamondbacks players
Atlanta Braves players
Augusta GreenJackets players
Bravos de Margarita players
Chiba Lotte Marines players
Detroit Tigers players
Dominican Summer League Red Sox players
Dunedin Blue Jays players
Erie SeaWolves players
Gulf Coast Red Sox players
Indianapolis Indians players
Las Vegas 51s players
Leones del Caracas players
Major League Baseball pitchers
Major League Baseball players from Venezuela
Mexican League baseball pitchers
Navegantes del Magallanes players
New Hampshire Fisher Cats players
Nippon Professional Baseball pitchers
Pittsburgh Pirates players
People from Guárico
Pericos de Puebla players
Piratas de Campeche players
Portland Beavers players
Rojos del Águila de Veracruz players
San Diego Padres players
Syracuse Chiefs players
Tigres de Aragua players
Toledo Mud Hens players
Toronto Blue Jays players
Venezuelan expatriate baseball players in Canada
Venezuelan expatriate baseball players in Japan
Venezuelan expatriate baseball players in Mexico
Venezuelan expatriate baseball players in the United States
Washington Nationals players
World Baseball Classic players of Venezuela
2013 World Baseball Classic players
2017 World Baseball Classic players