Hector Rondon, Retired

Date of Birth: 2/26/1988
Birthplace: Guatire, Venezuela

Hector Rondon, retired relief pitcher, was originally signed by the Cleveland Indians in August, 2004, at the age of 16. He played in the Indians' minor league system from 2006 through 2009. He had Tommy John surgery in 2010 and then fractured an elbow the following season, missing most of those two years. He returned to the minors for the 2012 season. As a minor leaguer, he pitched 521.2 innings in 105 games and he had a 33-33 record, 471 strikeouts to 113 walks, and a 4.16 ERA.

The Chicago Cubs acquired Rondon in December, 2012. He pitched 54.2 innings in 45 games out of the bullpen for the Cubs in 2013. He finished the season with a 4.77 ERA. He became the team's closer in 2014. He finished the 2014 season with 29 saves and a 2.42 ERA in 63.1 innings in 64 games.

As the Cubs' closer in 2015, Rondon had 30 saves in 72 games. He finished the season with a 1.67 ERA and 69 strikeouts to 15 walks in 70.0 innings. He pitched 5.0 innings in 5 postseason games and he gave up 5 hits, including a home run, and 2 runs. He had 2 saves and a 3.60 ERA.

Rondon finished the 2016 season with a 3.53 ERA in 54 games. He had 2 wins to 3 losses, 18 saves, and 58 strikeouts to 8 walks in 51.0 innings. In the postseason, he pitched 6.0 innings in 7 games and he gave up 8 hits and 3 runs.

Rondon had a 4.24 ERA in 61 games with the Cubs in 2017. He finished the season with 4 wins and 1 loss and 69 strikeouts to 20 walks in 57.1 innings. In the postseason, he pitched 3.0 innings in 3 games and he gave up 5 hits and 2 runs. He struck out 4 batters and walked none.

Rondon elected free agency on December 1, 2017. He signed with the Houston Astros on December 15, 2017. He finished the 2018 season with 2 wins and 5 losses, 15 saves, 67 strikeouts to 20 walks, and a 3.20 ERA in 59.0 innings in 63 games. In the postseason, he pitched 1.0 innings in 2 games and he gave up 2 hits and no runs.

Rondon finished the 2019 season with 3 wins and 2 losses, 48 strikeouts to 20 walks, and a 3.71 ERA in 60.2 innings in 62 games. In the postseason, he pitched 1.1 innings in 4 games and he gave up 3 hits and 1 run.

Rondon became a free agent on October 31, 2019. He signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks on January 9, 2020. He pitched in 23 games in 2020, and he finished the season with 1 win and no losses, 23 strikeouts to 11 walks, and a 7.65 ERA in 20.0 innings.

Rendon elected free agency on October 28, 2020. He signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies on February 2, 2021. He was released on March 25th. He signed a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox on April 3rd. Six days later, on April 9th, he retired.

Career pitching statistics for Rondon through 2020 include:

• 444 games played
• 436.0 innings pitched
• 24-20 win-loss record
• 92 saves
• 441 strikeouts to 134 walks
• 3.49 ERA

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Hector Rondon
ESPN - Hector Rondon
Baseball Reference - Hector Rondon