John Danks, Starting Pitcher
Date of Birth: 4/15/1985
Birthplace: Austin, Texas
John Danks, starting pitcher, was a top baseball player in high school and in 2003, he was named the Texas Player of the Year. That same year, he was drafted by the Texas Rangers and he played in their minor league system from 2003 through 2006. The Rangers traded Danks to the Chicago White Sox in December, 2006. His brother Jordan was drafted by the White Sox two years later.
In 2007, his first season with the White Sox, Danks pitched 139.0 innings in 26 games. He finished the season with a 6-13 record and a 5.50 ERA. He played much better the following season, pitching in a career high 33 games in 2008 and finishing with a career low 3.32 ERA and a 12-9 record.
The 2010 season was a strong one for Danks. That year, he had a 3.72 ERA with career highs in innings pitched (213.0), wins (15 to 11 losses), and strikeouts (162 to 70 walks).
Danks signed a five-year, $65 million contract with the White Sox in December, 2011. The following year, he had a shoulder injury that ended his season after just nine games. In 2013, he pitched in 22 games and he had a 4-14 record with a 4.75 ERA. He finished the 2014 season with an 11-11 record, 129 strikeouts to 74 walks, and a 4.74 ERA in 193.2 innings in 32 games.
Danks pitched in 30 games with the White Sox in 2015. He finished the season with a 7-15 record, 124 strikeouts to 56 walks, and a 4.71 ERA in 177.2 innings.
The White Sox released Danks on May 3, 2016, after pitching in 4 games with the team.
Danks signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves on December 12, 2016. He was released on April 3, 2017. He hasn't played professional baseball since 2016.
Career pitching statistics for Danks through 2016 include:
- 247 games played
- 1,503.1 innings pitched
- 79-104 win-loss record
- 1,102 strikeouts to 491 walks
- 4.38 ERA
Personal Life
Danks' brother Jordan was an outfielder with the White Sox from 2012 through 2014. He was claimed off waivers by the Philadelphia Phillies in January, 2015.
Sources for Information
Wikipedia - John Danks
ESPN - John Danks