Jake Petricka, Relief Pitcher, Minnesota Twins
Date of Birth: 6/5/1988
Birthplace: Northfield, Illinois
College: Indiana State University
Jake Petricka, relief pitcher for the Minnesota Twins, was first drafted by the Chicago White Sox in 2006 but he opted instead to attend Indiana State University. Three years later, he was drafted by the New York Yankees but he didn't sign with them. He finally signed with the White Sox in 2010. He pitched in their minor league system from 2010 through 2012.
Petricka pitched in 16 games with the White Sox in 2013. He finished with a 3.26 ERA in 19.1 innings. He also pitched in 31 games in the minors.
In 2014, his first full season in the majors, Petricka pitched a career high 73.0 innings in 67 games. He finished the season with 1 win and 6 losses, 14 saves, 55 strikeouts to 33 walks, and a 2.96 ERA. The following season, he pitched in 62 games in relief. He finished the 2015 season with a 3.63 ERA and 33 strikeouts to 18 walks in 52.0 innings.
Petricka spent most of the 2016 season on the DL with a hip injury. He pitched just 8.0 innings in 9 games and he had a 4.50 ERA.
Petricka finished the 2017 season with 1 win and 1 loss, 26 strikeouts to 6 walks, and a 7.01 ERA in 25.2 innings in 27 games.
Petricka became a free agent on December 1, 2017. He signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays on February 8, 2018. He finished the 2018 season with 3 wins and 1 loss, 41 strikeouts to 16 walks, and a 4.53 ERA in 45.2 innings in 41 games. He also pitched 23.0 innings in 16 games in the minors.
Petricka elected free agency on November 2, 2018. He signed with the Milwaukee Brewers on January 13, 2019. He was traded to the Texas Rangers on June 14, 2019. He spent most of the 2019 season in the minors, pitching just 8.0 innings in 6 games with the Brewers.
Petricka became a free agent on November 4, 2019. He signed a minor league contract with the Blue Jays on February 11, 2020. He was released on September 9, 2020. He didn't play professional baseball in 2020.
Petricka started the 2021 season in the independent Atlantic League. The Los Angeles Angels acquired him on June 2nd. He spent most of the season in the minors, pitching just 6.0 innings in 7 games with the Angels.
Petricka became a free agent on November 7, 2021. He signed a minor league contract with the Twins on March 30, 2022.
Career pitching statistics for Petricka through 2021 include:
- 235 games played
- 237.2 innings pitched
- 10-13 win-loss record
- 183 strikeouts to 104 walks
- 4.24 ERA
Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Jake Petricka
ESPN - Jake Petricka