David Price, Starting Pitcher
Date of Birth: 8/26/1985
Birthplace: Murfreesboro, Tennessee
College: Vanderbilt University
David Price, starting pitcher, was a top pitcher in high school. He had a 0.43 ERA and he won several awards for his pitching. The New York Yankees drafted him straight out of high school but he opted instead to go to Vanderbilt University. He was a top player at Vanderbilt, winning several national awards.
In August, 2007, Price signed a six-year, $8.5 million contract with the Tampa Bay Rays. He spent just one year in the minor leagues before being called up to the Rays to pitch in five games with them in 2008. The following season, he pitched 128.1 innings with a 10-7 record and a 4.42 ERA in 23 games with the Rays.
Price had a strong 2010 season, winning the Warren Spahn award. He pitched 208.2 innings with a 19-6 record and a 2.72 ERA in 32 games. The following season was just as good. In 2011, he had a 3.49 ERA with career highs in games played (34), innings pitched (224.1), and strikeouts (218 to 63 walks).
The 2012 season was probably Price's best one. That year, he won the American League Cy Young award and he led the league in ERA and he was tied for wins leader. In 31 games, he pitched 211.0 innings and had a career high 20 wins (to 5 losses), 205 strikeouts (to 59 walks), and a career low 2.56 ERA.
On July 31, 2014, Price was traded to the Detroit Tigers. He finished the 2014 season with a 15-12 record, a career high 271 strikeouts to 38 walks, and a 3.26 ERA in 248.1 innings in 23 games with the Rays and 11 games with the Tigers.
Price was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays on July 30, 2015. He finished the 2015 season with an 18-5 record, 225 strikeouts to 47 walks, and a career low ERA of 2.45 in 21 games with the Tigers and 11 games with the Blue Jays. In 4 postseason games, he pitched 23.1 innings and he gave up 22 hits, including 4 home runs, and 16 runs for a 6.17 ERA.
Price signed a seven-year, $217 million contract with the Boston Red Sox on December 4, 2015. He pitched in a career high 35 games in 2016. He finished the season with a 3.99 ERA, 17 wins to 9 losses, and 228 strikeouts to 50 walks in 230.0 innings. In the postseason, he pitched 3.1 innings in 1 game and he gave up 6 hits and 5 runs.
Price spent time on the DL in 2017 with elbow issues, limiting his playing time to 11 games as a starter and 5 games in relief. He finished the season with a 3.38 ERA, 6 wins and 3 losses, and 76 strikeouts to 24 walks in 74.2 innings. In the postseason, he pitched 6.2 innings as a reliever in 2 games and he gave up 5 hits and no runs. He struck out 6 batters and walked 2.
Price finished the 2018 season with 16 wins and 7 losses, 177 strikeouts to 50 walks, and a 3.58 ERA in 176.0 innings in 30 games. In the postseason, he pitched 26.0 innings in 6 games and he gave up 18 hits, including 4 home runs, and 10 runs. He struck out 23 batters and walked 12. He had 3 wins and one loss and a 3.46 ERA.
Price spent time on the DL in 2019 with left elbow tendinitis and with a left wrist cyst. He finished the season with 7 wins and 5 losses, 128 strikeouts to 32 walks, and a 4.28 ERA in 107.1 innings in 22 games.
The Red Sox traded Price to the Los Angeles Dodgers on February 10, 2020. Price opted out of the shortened 2020 COVID-19 season.
Price spent time on the IL in 2021 with a right hamstring strain. He finished the season with 5 wins and 2 losses, 58 strikeouts to 26 walks, and a 4.03 ERA in 73.2 innings in 39 games. He didn't play in the postseason.
Price became a free agent on November 6, 2022.
Career pitching statistics for Price through 2021 include:
- 360 games played
- 2,103.1 innings pitched
- 155-82 win-loss record
- 2,039 strikeouts to 553 walks
- 3.33 ERA
Charitable Work
Price established the Project One Four foundation to provide opportunities for youth to learn life skills. Information is available at project14.org.
Sources for Information
Wikipedia - David Price
ESPN - David Price