Sean Doolittle, Relief Pitcher, Washington Nationals

Date of Birth: 9/26/1986
Birthplace: Rapid City, South Dakota
College: University of Virginia

Sean Doolittle, relief pitcher for the Washington Nationals, was a top pitcher in high school and at the University of Virginia. He was first drafted in 2004 by the Atlanta Braves but he opted instead for college. Three years later, he was drafted by the Oakland Athletics as a first baseman and outfielder.

Doolittle suffered from injuries in 2009 and 2010 and he didn't play in the minors until 2011. That season, he transitioned back to pitching. He joined the Athletics as a relief pitcher in 2012, pitching 47.1 innings in 44 games. The following season, he pitched a career high 69.0 innings in 70 games (also a career high). He had a 5-5 record, 2 saves, and a 3.13 ERA.

Doolittle signed a five-year, $10.5 million contract extension on April 18, 2014. He became the Athletics' closer on May 20, 2014. He finished the season with 22 saves, a career high 89 strikeouts (to just 8 walks), and a career low ERA of 2.73 in 62.2 innings in 61 games. In 2015, his playing time was limited to just 13.2 innings in 12 games due to a shoulder injury.

In 2016, Doolittle had a 3.23 ERA in 44 games. He finished the season with 2 wins to 3 losses, 4 saves, and 45 strikeouts to 8 walks in 39.0 innings.

Doolittle was traded to the Nationals on July 16, 2017. He finished the 2017 season with 2 wins and no losses, 24 saves, 62 strikeouts to 10 walks, and a 2.81 ERA in 51.1 innings in 23 games with the Athletics and 30 games with the Nationals. In the postseason, he pitched 3.0 innings in 3 gmaes and he gave up 1 hit.

Doolittle spent time on the DL in 2018. In 43 games with the Nationals, he had 3 wins and 3 losses, 25 saves, 60 strikeouts to 6 walks, and a 1.60 ERA in 45.0 innings.

Doolittle finished the 2019 season with 6 wins and 5 losses, 29 saves, 66 strikeouts to 15 walks, and a 4.05 ERA in 60.0 innings in 63 games. In the postseason, he pitched 10.1 innings in 9 games, and he gave up 6 hits, 1 home run, and 2 runs. He struck out 8 batters and walked 1, and he had a 1.74 ERA and 2 saves.

Doolittle pitched in 11 games in 2020. He finished the season with no wins and 2 losses and a 5.87 ERA in 7.2 innings.

Doolittle became a free agent on October 28, 2020. He signed with the Cincinnati Reds on February 8, 2021. The Seattle Mariners claimed him off waivers on August 26th. He finished the season with 3 wins and 1 loss, 1 save, 53 strikeouts to 23 walks, and a 4.53 ERA in 45 games with the Reds and 11 games with the Mariners.

Doolittle became a free agent again on November 3, 2021. He signed with the Nationals on March 16, 2022.

Career pitching statistics for Doolittle through 2021 include:

• 457 games played
• 445.1 innings pitched
• 26-24 win-loss record
• 112 saves
• 516 strikeouts to 103 walks
• 3.23 ERA

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Sean Doolittle
ESPN - Sean Doolittle
Baseball Reference - Sean Doolittle