Mike Pelfrey, Retired

Date of Birth: 1/14/1984
Birthplace: Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio
College: Wichita State University

Mike Pelfrey, retired pitcher, was first drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2002 but he opted instead for college. Three years later, he was drafted and signed by the New York Mets. He pitched in the Mets' minor league system in 2006 and part of 2007.

Pelfrey joined the Mets for four games in 2006. The following season, he pitched 72.2 innings in 15 games and he had a 5.57 ERA and a 3-8 record. He fared much better as part of the Mets' starting rotation in 2008. He finished the season with a 3.72 ERA and a 13-11 record in 200.2 innings in 32 games. His numbers in 2009, however, were much poorer, with a 5.03 ERA and a 10-12 record.

Pelfrey had his best season in 2010, when he had career highs in innings pitched (204.0), wins (15 to 9 losses), and strikeouts (113 to 68 walks). He finished with a 3.66 ERA. He didn't pitch nearly as well in 2011, finishing with a 4.74 ERA and a 7-13 record. He missed most of the 2012 season due to Tommy John surgery.

In December, 2012, Pelfrey signed a one-year, $4 million contract with the Minnesota Twins. His first season with the Twins was not a good one. In 2013, he had a 5.19 ERA and a 5-13 record. However, the Twins considered him a good investment and they gave him a two-year, $11 million contract in December, 2013. He suffered injuries in 2014 that limited his playing time to just five games.

Pelfrey pitched in 30 games with the Twins in 2015. He finished the season with a 6-11 record, 86 strikeouts to 45 walks, and a 4.26 ERA in 164.2 innings.

Pelfrey signed a two-year, $16 million contract with the Detroit Tigers on December 4, 2015. He finished the 2016 season with a 5.07 ERA in 24 games. He had 4 wins to 10 losses and 56 strikeouts to 46 walks in 119.0 innings.

The Tigers released Pelfry on March 30, 2017. He signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox on April 8th. He finished the 2017 season with 3 wins and 12 losses, 79 strikeouts to 62 walks, and a 5.93 ERA in 120.0 innings in 21 games as a starter and 13 games of relief with the White Sox.

Pelfrey became a free agent on November 2, 2017. He announced his retirement as a major league player on March 7, 2018.

Career pitching statistics for Pelfrey through 2017 include:

• 275 games played
• 1,476.1 innings pitched
• 68-103 win-loss record
• 838 strikeouts to 542 walks
• 4.68 ERA

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Mike Pelfrey
ESPN - Mike Pelfrey