Kris Medlen, Retired
Date of Birth: 10/7/1985
Birthplace: Artesia, California
College: Santa Ana College
Kris Medlen, retired starting pitcher, started as a shortstop and closer in college. He was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in 2006 and he played in their minor league system from 2006 through part of 2009.
Medlen joined the Braves in 2009 for 37 games. That season, he was both a starter and a relief pitcher, pitching 67.2 innings and finishing with a 3-5 record and a 4.26 ERA. The following season, he pitched 107.2 innings in 31 games and he had a 6-2 record and a 3.68 ERA. His 2010 season was cut short in August when he had Tommy John surgery.
Medlen spent most of the 2011 season rehabbing from his surgery. In 2012, he returned full time to the Braves, pitching both as a starter and as a relief pitcher. He finished with an impressive 1.57 ERA, a 10-1 record, and 1 save in 138.0 innings in 50 games.
In 2013, Medlen joined the Braves starting rotation. He pitched 197.0 innings in 32 games and he finished the season with a 15-12 record and a 3.11 ERA. He missed the entire 2014 season after having his second Tommy John surgery.
Medlen signed a two-year, $8.5 million contract with the Kansas City Royals on December 18, 2014. In 2015, he pitched as both a starter and from the Royals' bullpen. He spent the first few months of the season on the DL, recovering from his 2014 surgery. He finished the season with a 6-2 record, 40 strikeouts to 18 walks, and a 4.01 ERA in 58.1 innings in 15 games. In the postseason, he pitched 6.0 innings in 2 games and he gave up 3 hits, including 2 home runs, and 2 runs. He struck out eight batters and walked one.
Medlen spent most of the 2016 season on the DL, pitching just 24.1 innings in 6 games with the Royals.
Medlen became a free agent on November 4, 2016. He returned to the Braves on January 24, 2017, on a minor league contract. He spent the 2017 season in the minors.
Medlen elected free agency on November 6, 2017.
Medlen announced his retirement on May 27, 2018.
Career pitching statistics for Medlen through 2017 include:
- 173 games played
- 595.1 innings pitched
- 41-25 win-loss record
- 492 strikeouts to 159 walks
- 3.25 ERA
Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Kris Medlen
ESPN - Kris Medlen