Jonathan Papelbon, Relief Pitcher/Closer


Date of Birth: 11/23/1980
Birthplace: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
College: Mississippi State University

Jonathan Papelbon, relief pitcher/closer, first became a closer while in college. He was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in 2002 but he chose instead to continue at Mississippi State University. The following year, he signed with the Boston Red Sox when they drafted him.

Papelbon pitched in Boston's minor league system for less than three years (2003-2005) before being called up to the Red Sox in 2005 for 17 games. He pitched 34.0 innings in relief that season. The following season, as the closer for the Red Sox, he had a career low ERA of 0.92 and 35 saves in 68.1 innings in 59 games. He had almost as good numbers in 2007, when he finished with a 1.85 ERA and 37 saves in 58.1 innings.

In March, 2008, Papelbon agreed to a $775,000 contract with the Red Sox. He more than earned his money in the 2008 season when he finished with a career high 41 saves and a 2.34 ERA. The following January, he was rewarded with a new one-year, $6.25 million contract.

Papelbon continued to play well for the Red Sox from 2009 through 2011. He had 38 saves and a 1.85 ERA in 2009, 37 saves and a career high 3.90 ERA in 2010, and 31 saves and a 2.94 ERA in 2011.

In November, 2011, Papelbon left the Red Sox and signed a four-year, $50 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. He had career highs in games played (70), innings pitched (70.0), and strikeouts (92 to 18 walks) in 2012, and he finished the season with 38 saves and a 2.44 ERA. He had his lowest number of saves in 2013 when he had just 29 but he bounced back in 2014, finishing with 39 saves and a 2.04 ERA.

Papelbon was traded to the Washington Nationals on July 28, 2015. He finished the season with a 4-3 record, 24 saves, 56 strikeouts to 12 walks, and a 2.13 ERA in 63.1 innings in 37 games with the Phillies and 22 games with the Nationals.

Papelbon received two suspensions in one week in September, 2015. On September 23rd, he was suspended for intentionally throwing a pitch at Manny Machado's head and four days later, he was suspended again for a physical attack on teammate Bryce Harper.

The Nationals released Papelbon on August 13, 2016. He finished the 2016 season with a career high ERA of 4.37, 2 wins to 4 losses, 19 saves, and 31 strikeouts to 14 walks in 35.0 innings in 37 games.

Papelbon hasn't played professional baseball since 2016.

Statistics for Papelbon in 12 seasons (2005-2016) in the major leagues include:

  • 7 seasons with over 60 games played, with a high of 70 in 2012
  • 7 seasons with 35 or more saves, with a high of 41 in 2008
  • 3 seasons with an ERA below 2.00, with a low of 0.92 in 2006

Career pitching statistics for Papelbon through 2016 include:

  • 689 games played
  • 725.2 innings pitched
  • 41-36 win-loss record
  • 368 saves
  • 808 strikeouts to 185 walks
  • 2.44 ERA

Personal Life

Papelbon has two brothers who played in the minor leagues.

Papelbon and his wife Ashley have one daughter and one son.

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Jonathan Papelbon
ESPN - Jonathan Papelbon