Michael Wacha, Starting Pitcher, San Diego Padres
Date of Birth: 7/1/1991
Birthplace: Iowa City, Iowa
College: Texas A&M
Michael Wacha, starting pitcher for the San Diego Padres, was a top baseball and basketball player in high school prior to the St. Louis Cardinals drafting him in 2012. He played in their minor league system in 2012 and part of 2013. He ended his minor league career with a 5-3 record and a 2.29 ERA.
Wacha pitched in 15 games with the Cardinals in 2013. He finished the regular season with a 4-1 record and a 2.78 ERA. He excelled in the post-season and he won the National League Championship Series MVP award. In 5 post-season games in 2013, he had a 4-1 record with 33 strikeouts to 12 walks and a 2.64 ERA.
Wacha finished the 2014 season with a 5-6 record, 94 strikeouts to 33 walks, and a 3.20 ERA in 107.0 innings in 19 games. He pitched just 0.1 innings in one game in the postseason and he gave up 2 hits and 3 runs, including a home run.
Wacha pitched in 30 games with the Cardinals in 2015. He finished the season with a 17-7 record, 153 strikeouts to 58 walks, and a 3.38 ERA in 181.1 innings. He pitched 4.1 innings in one postseason game and he gave up 6 hits, including 3 home runs, and 4 runs.
Wacha finished the 2016 season with a 5.09 ERA in 27 games. He had 7 wins to 7 losses and 114 strikeouts to 45 walks in 138.0 innings.
In 2017, Wacha had a 4.13 ERA in 30 games. He finished the season with 12 wins and 9 losses and 158 strikeouts to 55 walks in 165.2 innings.
Wacha spent time on the DL in 2018 with a left oblique strain. He finished the season with 8 wins and 2 losses, 71 strikeouts to 36 walks, and a 3.20 ERA in 84.1 innings in 15 games.
Wacha was again on the DL in 2019, with left knee tendinitis. He finished the season with 6 wins and 7 losses, 104 strikeouts to 55 walks, and a 4.76 ERA in 126.2 innings in 29 games. He didn't play in the postseason.
Wacha became a free agent on October 31, 2019. He signed with the New York Mets on December 13th. He spent time on the IL in 2020 with shoulder inflammation. In eight games with the Mets, he had 1 win and 4 losses, 37 strikeouts to 7 walks, and a 6.62 ERA in 34.0 innings.
Wacha elected free agency on October 28, 2020. He signed with the Tampa Bay Rays on December 18, 2020. He pitched in 29 games in 2021, and he finished the season with 3 wins and 5 losses, 121 strikeouts to 31 walks, and a 5.05 ERA in 124.2 innings. In the postseason, he gave up 9 hits, 1 home run, and 6 runs in 2.2 innings in 1 game.
Wacha became a free agent on November 3, 2021. He signed with the Boston Red Sox on November 27th.
Wacha again became a free agent on November 6, 2022. He signed with the Padres on February 16, 2023.
Career pitching statistics for Wacha through 2021 include:
- 202 games played
- 1,026.1 innings pitched
- 63-48 win-loss record
- 917 strikeouts to 339 walks
- 4.14 ERA
Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Michael Wacha
ESPN - Michael Wacha