Pedro Strop, Relief Pitcher

Date of Birth: 6/13/1985
Birthplace: San Cristobal, Dominican Republic

Pedro Strop, relief pitcher, was first signed by the Colorado Rockies in January, 2002. He played in the Rockies' minor league system from 2006 through 2008. The Rockies released him on September 19, 2008.

Strop signed with the Texas Rangers on November 7, 2008. He spent most of the 2009 season in the minors, pitching just 7.0 innings in 7 games with the Rangers. The following season, he pitched 10.2 innings in 15 games and he had a 10.13 ERA. He spent the rest of the season in the minors.

The Baltimore Orioles claimed Strop off waivers on September 1, 2011. He finished the 2011 season with a career low ERA of 2.05 in 11 games with the Rangers and 12 games with the Orioles. In 2012, his first full season in the majors, he had a 2.44 ERA, 5 wins to 2 losses, 3 saves, and 58 strikeouts to 37 walks in 66.1 innings in 70 games.

Strop was traded to the Chicago Cubs on July 2, 2013. He finished the season with a 4.55 ERA in 29 games with the Orioles and 37 games with the Cubs. He had a better season in 2014, finishing with a 2.21 ERA in 65 games.

Strop had a strong season in 2015, finishing with a 2.91 ERA. He had career highs in games played (76), innings pitched (68.0), and strikeouts (81 to 29 walks).

Strop spent time on the DL in 2016, limiting his playing time to 54 games. He finished the season with 2 wins and 2 losses, 60 strikeouts to 15 walks, and a 2.85 ERA in 47.1 innings. In the postseason, he pitched 5.2 innings in 8 games and he gave up 4 hits and 2 runs. He struck out 3 batters and walked 2 and he had a 3.18 ERA.

Strop signed a contract extension with the Cubs on February 24, 2017. The contract includes a club option for 2019.

Strop finished the 2017 season with 5 wins and 4 losses, 65 strikeouts to 26 walks, and a 2.83 ERA in 60.1 innings in 69 games. In the postseason, he pitched 5.1 innings in 5 games and he gave up 1 hit and 1 run.

Strop pitched in 60 games in 2018. He had 6 wins and 1 loss, 13 saves, 57 strikeouts to 21 walks, and a 2.26 ERA in 59.2 innings. In the postseason, he pitched 1.0 innings in 1 game and he gave up 1 hit.

Strop spent time on the DL in 2019 with a hamstring strain and with neck tightness. He finished the season with 2 wins and 5 losses, 10 saves, 49 strikeouts to 20 walks, and a 4.97 ERA in 41.2 innings in 50 games.

Strop became a free agent on October 31, 2019. He signed with the Cincinnati Reds on February 5, 2020. He was released on August 31, 2020. He returned to the Cubs on a minor league contract on September 5, 2020. He pitched just 2.1 innings in 4 games with the Reds in 2020.

After 2 games with the Cubs in 2021, Strop elected free agency on May 4th. He then played in the Mexican League and the Dominican Winter League.

Career pitching statistics for Strop through 2021 include:

• 561 games played
• 505.2 innings pitched
• 29-30 win-loss record
• 32 saves
• 554 strikeouts to 232 walks
• 3.20 ERA

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Pedro Strop
ESPN - Pedro Strop