Jake Arrieta, Retired


Date of Birth: 3/6/1986
Birthplace: Farmington, Missouri
College: Texas Christian University

Jake Arrieta was first drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2004 but he opted for college instead. Three years later, he was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles. He played in the Orioles' minor league system from 2008 through part of 2010.

Arrieta pitched in 18 games for the Orioles in 2010, finishing the season with a 6-6 record and a 4.66 ERA. The following season was the only one in which he did not play in the minor leagues. In 2011, he pitched in 22 games with the Orioles, finishing with a 10-8 record and a 5.05 ERA.

The Orioles traded Arrieta to the Chicago Cubs in the beginning of July, 2013. He finished the 2013 with a 5-4 record and a 4.78 ERA in 5 games with the Orioles and 9 games with the Cubs.

In 2014, Arrieta pitched 156.2 innings in 25 games. He finished the season with a 10-5 record, 167 strikeouts to 41 walks, and a 2.53 ERA.

Arrieta had his best season in 2015, winning the National League Cy Young award. He finished the season with 22 wins to 6 losses, 236 strikeouts to 48 walks, and a 1.77 ERA in 229.0 innings in 33 games. On August 30th, he pitched a no-hitter against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

In the 2015 postseason, Arrieta pitched 19.2 innings in 3 games and he gave up 14 hits, including 2 home runs, and 8 runs. He had a 3.66 ERA with 28 strikeouts to 4 walks. His best game was the Wild Card game in which he pitched a complete game shutout with 11 strikeouts and no walks.

Arrieta had another strong season in 2016. He finished the season with a 3.10 ERA, 18 wins to 8 losses, and 190 strikeouts to 76 walks in 197.1 innings in 31 games. He had a no-hitter on April 21st. He won his first Silver Slugger award in 2016.

Arrieta had a 3.53 ERA in 30 games with the Cubs in 2017. He finished the season with 14 wins and 10 losses and 163 strikeouts to 55 walks in 168.1 innings. In the postseason, he pitched 10.2 innings in 2 games and he gave up 5 hits, including a home run, and 2 runs (1 earned run). He struck out 13 batters and walked 10.

Arrieta became a free agent on November 2, 2017. He signed with the Philadelphia Phillies on March 12, 2018. He didn't have a great first season with them, finishing with only 10 wins to 11 losses, 138 strikeouts to 57 walks, and a 3.96 ERA in 172.2 innings in 31 games.

Arrieta had elbow surgery in August, 2019. He finished the season with an 8-8 record, 110 strikeouts to 51 walks, and a 4.64 ERA in 135.2 innings in 24 games.

Arrieta pitched in nine games in 2020. He finished the season with 4 wins and 4 losses, 32 strikeouts to 16 walks, and a 5.08 ERA in 44.1 innings.

Arrieta elected free agency on October 28, 2020. He signed with the Cubs on February 17, 2021. He spent time on the IL in 2021 with a thumb abrasion, hamstring tightness, and a hamstring strain. The Cubs released him on August 12th. He signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres on August 16th, and he was released on September 22nd. He finished the season with 5 wins and 14 losses and 83 strikeouts to 44 walks in 20 games with the Cubs and 4 games with the Padres.

Arrieta retired on April 18, 2022.

Career pitching statistics for Arrieta through 2021 include:

  • 285 games played
  • 1,612.1 innings pitched
  • 115-93 win-loss record
  • 1,433 strikeouts to 571 walks
  • 3.98 ERA

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Jake Arrieta
ESPN - Jake Arrieta