Jake Diekman, Relief Pitcher, Tampa Bay Rays

Birthplace: 1/21/1987
Birthplace: Wymore, Nebraska
College: Cloud County Community College, Doane College

Jake Diekman, relief pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays, was first drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2007. He pitched in the Phillies' minor league system from 2007 through 2011. He was a starting pitcher in 2007 and 2008 and then a relief pitcher for the remaining seasons.

Diekman split his time in 2012 between the Phillies and the minors. In 32 games with the Phillies, he had a 3.95 ERA in 27.1 innings. The following season, he had a career low ERA of 2.58 in 38.1 innings in 45 games.

In 2014, Diekman had career highs in games played (73), innings pitched (71.0), and strikeouts (100 to 35 walks). He finished with a 3.80 ERA.

The Phillies traded Diekman to the Texas Rangers on July 31, 2015. He finished the season with a 4.01 ERA in 41 games with the Phillies and 26 games with the Rangers.

Diekman signed a one-year, $1.225 million contract with the Rangers on January 29, 2016. He finished the 2016 season with 4 wins and 2 losses, 4 saves, 59 strikeouts to 26 walks, and a 3.40 ERA in 53.0 innings in 66 games. In the postseason, he pitched 1.0 innings in 2 games and he gave up 5 hits, including a home run, and 3 runs. He struck out one batter and walked two.

Diekman had colon surgery in January, 2017. He spent most of the 2017 season on the DL, pitching just 10.2 innings in 11 games with the Rangers.

The Rangers traded Diekman to the Arizona Diamondbacks on July 31, 2018. He finished the 2018 season with 1 win and 2 losses, 2 saves, 66 strikeouts to 31 walks, and a 4.73 ERA in 53.1 innings in 47 games with the Rangers and 24 games with the Diamondbacks.

Diekman became a free agent on October 29, 2018. He signed with the Kansas City Royals on February 13, 2019. He was traded to the Oakland Athletics on July 27, 2019. He finished the 2019 season with 1 win and 7 losses, 84 strikeouts to 39 walks, and a 4.65 ERA in 62.0 innings in 48 games with the Royals and 28 games with the Athletics. In the postseason, he pitched 0.1 innings in 1 game and he gave up no hits.

Diekman pitched in 21 games in 2020. He finished the season with 2 wins and no losses, 31 strikeouts to 12 walks, and a 0.42 ERA in 21.1 innings.

Diekman finished the 2021 season with 3 wins and 3 losses, 7 saves, 83 strikeouts to 34 walks, and a 3.86 ERA in 60.2 innings in 67 games.

Diekman became a free agent on November 4, 2021. He signed with the Boston Red Sox on March 16, 2022. He was traded to the Chicago White Sox on August 1st.

The White Sox released Diekman on May 6, 2023. He signed with the Rays on May 10th.

Career pitching statistics for Diekman through 2021 include:

• 529 games played
• 456.0 innings pitched
• 20-25 win-loss record
• 14 saves
• 581 strikeouts to 254 walks
• 3.73 ERA

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Jake Diekman
ESPN - Jake Diekman