Cristian Pache
Pache with the Atlanta Braves in 2021
Philadelphia Phillies – No. 19
Outfielder
Born: (1998-11-19) November 19, 1998 (age 25)
Santo Domingo Centro, Dominican Republic
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
August 21, 2020, for the Atlanta Braves
MLB statistics
(through 2023 season)
Batting average.173
Home runs6
Runs batted in33
Teams

Cristian Rafael Pache (/ˈpɑːtʃeɪ/ PAH-chay;[1] born November 19, 1998) is a Dominican professional baseball outfielder for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Atlanta Braves and Oakland Athletics.

Early life

Pache, the second of three children, was born in Santo Domingo Centro in the Dominican Republic to a factory worker and a homemaker.[2]

Career

Minor leagues

Pache signed with the Atlanta Braves in July 2015 for $1.4 million.[3][4] At the time of his signing, Baseball America ranked Pache the 21st-best international free agent;[5] MLB.com ranked him tenth.[6] Pache was assigned to the Gulf Coast League Braves in June 2016,[7] and after batting .283 with 11 runs batted in (RBI) in 27 games. Pache was promoted to the Danville Braves,[8] where he finished the season with a .333 batting average, ten RBI, and a .775 on-base plus slugging (OPS) in 30 games.

Pache spent the 2017 season with the Rome Braves, where he batted .281 with 42 RBI and 32 stolen bases in 119 games.[9][10] He was named a South Atlantic League All-Star at midseason.[11][12]

Pache was named to MLB Pipeline's All-Defensive team for 2018,[13] and was invited to spring training at the start of the 2018 season.[14][15] He was subsequently assigned to the Florida Fire Frogs.[16] In June, Pache received a Florida State League All-Star selection.[17] At the A-Advanced level, he played in 93 games, driving in 40 runs, hitting eight home runs, and recording a .285 batting average.[18] On August 1, Pache was promoted to the Mississippi Braves.[19] In 29 games for Mississippi, he hit .260 with one home run and seven RBI in 29 games.[20] In August 2018, it was announced that Pache was placed on the preliminary Arizona Fall League (AFL) roster.[21][22] He hit .290/.318/.387 through 14 games,[23] and was named to the AFL All-Star Game.[24] As a prospect, Pache drew attention for his defensive skills.[25][26][27] Throughout 2018, he began displaying an increased ability to hit for power.[28][29][30]

Pache was named to the 2019 MLB Pipeline's All-Defensive team.[31] He spent time in major league camp prior to the start of the 2019 season,[29] and was subsequently reassigned to Mississippi.[32] At midseason, Pache was named to the All-Star Futures Game.[33] While playing in the Southern League, Pache hit for a .278 batting average, with 28 doubles, eight triples, 11 home runs, 50 runs, 53 runs batted in, and eight stolen bases.[34] On August 6, 2019, Pache made his International League debut with the Gwinnett Stripers.[35] Over 130 games between both clubs, Pache batted .277/.340/.462 with 12 home runs and 61 RBI.[36][37]

Atlanta Braves

2020

The Braves added Pache to their 40-man roster following the 2019 season to protect him from becoming eligible to be selected in the Rule 5 draft.[38][39] Prior to the 2020 season, MLB.com ranked Pache the eleventh-best prospect in Minor League Baseball.[40] In 2020, he was invited to the Braves' spring training for the second time, and was eventually assigned to Gwinnett.[41] The 2020 Minor League Baseball season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Pache spent time at the Braves' alternate training site when the season resumed.[42] He was promoted to the major league roster on August 18, 2020.[43] Pache's MLB debut came against the Philadelphia Phillies, on August 21, 2020, as the starting left fielder. That night, he registered his first big league hit, a single off left-hander Cole Irvin.[44] In limited action during the 2020 regular season, Pache went one-for-four at the plate.[45]

Pache was named to the roster for the 2020 NL Wild Card Series. He scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the 13th inning in Game 1 for the Braves. Pache had entered the game as a pinch runner, then scored on a hit by Freddie Freeman.[46] Pache replaced Adam Duvall in the second inning of Game 1 of the 2020 National League Championship Series.[47] In Game 2, Pache notched his first career major league RBI[48] and his first career big league home run, in Game 3.[49]

2021

Prior to the start of the 2021 regular season, Pache began wearing uniform number 25 to honor former Braves center fielder Andruw Jones. Pache had worn the number throughout his minor league career, but the number was unavailable at the time of Pache's major league debut, as it was being worn by catcher Tyler Flowers.[50] Pache hit his first regular season home run, a grand slam, while facing Tommy Milone in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays on May 1, 2021.[51][52] On May 14, the Braves placed Pache on the injured list due to a hamstring injury that he suffered during a game against the Toronto Blue Jays.[53] On May 29, Pache was sent to Gwinnett to complete a minor league rehabilitation assignment. On June 2, the Braves activated Pache and immediately optioned him back to Gwinnett.[54] Pache spent the remainder of the minor league season there. He hit .265 with 11 home runs, 44 RBIs and 9 stolen bases. For the Braves, he batted .111 in 63 at bats.[45]

On October 12, 2021, Pache was placed on the Braves postseason roster, replacing Jorge Soler, who had tested positive for COVID-19 before game four of the National League Division Series against the Milwaukee Brewers.[55][56] The Braves continued to carry Pache on their roster as they advanced to the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, he was removed on October 21 when Soler was deemed eligible to return to the team. The Braves eventually won the 2021 World Series, giving the Braves their first title since 1995.[57]

Oakland Athletics

On March 14, 2022, the Braves traded Pache, Shea Langeliers, Ryan Cusick, and Joey Estes to the Oakland Athletics in exchange for Matt Olson.[58][59] He started in center field for the Athletics on Opening Day, but was optioned to the Las Vegas Aviators on June 30.[60] In 2022 with the Athletics, he played in 91 games, had a slash line of .166/.218/.241 and batted in 18 runs.[45]

On March 27, 2023, manager Mark Kotsay announced that Pache, who was out of options, had not made the Opening Day roster.[61][62]

Philadelphia Phillies

On March 29, 2023, the Athletics traded Pache to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for Billy Sullivan.[63][64][65] In 18 games to begin the year, Pache hit .360/.360/.600 with a .960 OPS and one home run before he suffered a torn meniscus.[66][67][68] He was given an expected 4–6 week recovery timetable after undergoing surgery on May 1.[69]

He hit his second home run as a Phillie on July 7, a game winner in the 9th with 2 outs against the Miami Marlins. On July 16, it was announced that Pache would undergo surgery to remove a screw from his elbow. Manager Rob Thomson said that Pache would miss "a few weeks" as a result.[70]

References

  1. ^ Mississippi Braves roster, as of Tuesday, April 2, 2019. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  2. ^ Ruiz, Stephen (July 17, 2018). "Atlanta Braves prospect delivers home cooking on field in Kissimmee". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
  3. ^ Curtright, Guy (August 23, 2018). "Southern notes: Braves' Pache does it all". MiLB.com. Retrieved August 30, 2018.
  4. ^ Sanchez, Jesse (July 20, 2015). "Top international prospects signing breakdown". MLB.com. Retrieved January 27, 2018.
  5. ^ Badler, Ben (July 2, 2015). "Braves Agree To Sign No. 21 International Prospect Christian Pache". Baseball America. Retrieved January 27, 2018.
  6. ^ Sanchez, Jesse (July 6, 2018). "Braves close to signing two top international prospects". MLB.com. Retrieved January 27, 2018.
  7. ^ Lee, David (June 25, 2016). "Atlanta Braves draft picks receive first pro assignments". Augusta Chronicle. Retrieved January 27, 2018.
  8. ^ Haugh, Betsy (July 31, 2016). "Yankees top Braves in series opener". MiLB.com. Retrieved January 27, 2018.
  9. ^ O'Brien, David (February 23, 2018). "Some say Pache is best defensive outfielder in Braves system". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved August 29, 2018.
  10. ^ Haugh, Betsy (April 5, 2017). "Where are they now? A look at where former D-Braves are starting 2017 across Atlanta's minor league affiliates". MiLB.com. Retrieved January 27, 2018.
  11. ^ Romanach, Tommy (June 23, 2017). "ROME BRAVES: Braves hold moving day". Rome News Tribune. Retrieved January 27, 2018.
  12. ^ Tichenor, Alex (June 14, 2017). "After draft, names could be headed to D-Braves roster". Danville Register & Bee. Retrieved January 27, 2018.
  13. ^ Callis, Jim (January 14, 2018). "MLB Pipeline's 2018 All-Defense Team". MLB.com. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
  14. ^ Bowman, Mark (January 26, 2018). "Acuna highlights Braves' non-roster invitees". MLB.com. Retrieved January 27, 2018.
  15. ^ Bowman, Mark (February 23, 2018). "Prospect Pache piquing interest at camp". MLB.com. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
  16. ^ Mayo, Jonathan (April 5, 2018). "Where Braves' Top 30 prospects are starting season". MLB.com. Retrieved August 1, 2018.
  17. ^ Norris, Josh (June 1, 2018). "Florida State League Announces 2018 All-Star Rosters". Baseball America. Retrieved August 1, 2018.
  18. ^ Wellham, David (August 31, 2018). "Pache leads Braves' contingent in Arizona Fall League". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  19. ^ Dkystra, Sam (August 1, 2018). "Braves promote outfielders Pache, Waters". MiLB.com. Retrieved August 1, 2018.
  20. ^ "Christian Pache Stats, Highlights, Bio". MiLB.com. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  21. ^ Mayo, Jonathan (August 30, 2018). "Vlad Jr., Whitley highlight star-studded AFL rosters". MLB.com. Retrieved August 30, 2018.
  22. ^ Dykstra, Sam (August 30, 2018). "Guerrero, Whitley headline AFL rosters". MiLB.com. Retrieved August 30, 2018.
  23. ^ Callis, Jim (November 2, 2018). "Pache puts potential on display for Peoria". MLB.com. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
  24. ^ Thornburg, Chad; Boor, Will; Rosenbaum, Mike (November 4, 2018). "Here's what every player did in the Fall Stars Game". MLB.com. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
  25. ^ Dykstra, Sam (March 21, 2018). "Braves Prospect Primer: Rebuild blooms". MiLB.com. Retrieved January 10, 2020.
  26. ^ O'Brien, David (March 10, 2019). "On Pache's ascent, McCann's impact and the bullpen situation". The Athletic. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  27. ^ O'Brien, David (February 23, 2018). "Some say Pache is best defensive outfielder in Braves system". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  28. ^ Sawchik, Travis (March 29, 2018). "Let's Dream on Cristian Pache". fangraphs.com. FanGraphs. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  29. ^ a b Bowman, Mark (March 9, 2019). "Pache's stock rises with power potential". MLB.com. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  30. ^ Boor, William (October 24, 2018). "Defensive wiz Pache relishing challenge of AFL". MLB.com. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  31. ^ Mayo, Jonathan (January 13, 2019). "MLB Pipeline's 2019 All-Defense Team". MLB.com. Archived from the original on March 1, 2020. Retrieved January 9, 2020.((cite news)): CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  32. ^ Harris, Chris (April 2, 2019). "Mississippi Braves announce 2019 Opening Day roster". MiLB.com. Archived from the original on April 21, 2019. Retrieved July 1, 2019. Alt URL
  33. ^ Langs, Sarah (June 29, 2019). "Pache, Anderson to rep Braves at Futures Game". MLB.com. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
  34. ^ Lezotte, Dave (August 5, 2019). "Four Top Prospects Join Stripers for Playoff Push l". MiLB.com. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
  35. ^ "Braves prospects Waters, Pache make Triple-A debuts". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. August 6, 2019. Retrieved August 7, 2019.
  36. ^ "Pache rakes but Gwinnett's playoff run ends". MLB.com. September 9, 2019. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  37. ^ Avallone, Michael (October 9, 2019). "Pache, Waters next in line for Atlanta". MiLB.com. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  38. ^ Burns, Gabriel (November 19, 2019). "Braves protect Pache, 4 others from Rule 5 draft". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
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  40. ^ Avallone, Michael (October 9, 2019). "Pache, Waters next in line for Atlanta". MiLB.com. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
  41. ^ Bowman, Mark (March 11, 2020). "Notes: Pache among cuts; Fried shows poise". MLB.com. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
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  43. ^ "Nick Markakis placed on injured list by Braves after potentially being exposed to COVID-19". ESPN. August 18, 2020. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
  44. ^ "Ozuna hits 2 HRs, Braves rough up Nola, Phillies 11-2". ESPN. Associated Press. August 21, 2020. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
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  46. ^ "2020 National League Wild Card Series (NLWC) Game 1, Reds at Braves". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. September 30, 2020. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
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  48. ^ "2020 National League Championship Series (NLCS) Game 2, Atlanta Braves at Los Angeles Dodgers". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. October 13, 2020. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
  49. ^ "2020 National League Championship Series (NLCS) Game 3, Los Angeles Dodgers at Atlanta Braves". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. October 14, 2020. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
  50. ^ "Notes: Fried's efficient debut; new No. 25". MLB.com. March 10, 2021. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  51. ^ Bright, Sterling (May 2, 2021). "Pache hits slam for 1st regular-season HR". MLB.com. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
  52. ^ Tucker, Tim (May 2, 2021). "Braves' Pache thinks demotion helped him". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
  53. ^ Burns, Gabriel (May 30, 2021). "Braves OF Cristian Pache rehab assignment on hold after discomfort". Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  54. ^ Perry, Collin (September 23, 2021). "Getting Back on Track: Cristian Pache Making Strides in Triple-A". Retrieved February 15, 2023. Alternate URL
  55. ^ Bowman, Mark (October 12, 2021). "Soler replaced on NLDS roster; Pache added". MLB.com. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  56. ^ "Atlanta Braves' Jorge Soler tests positive for COVID-19 prior to NLDS Game 4 vs. Milwaukee Brewers". ESPN.com. October 12, 2021. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  57. ^ "Atlanta Braves win 2021 World Series". MLB. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  58. ^ "Atlanta Braves acquire slugging 1B Matt Olson from Oakland Athletics". ESPN.com. Associated Press. March 14, 2022.
  59. ^ "A's get Braves' top prospect Pache, 3 others in trade of Olson". MLB.com. March 14, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  60. ^ "A's demote Opening Day CF Pache in flurry of roster moves". July 2022.
  61. ^ Martin, Angelina (March 28, 2023). "Pache doesn't make A's Opening Day roster, could be traded". NBC Sports. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  62. ^ Kawahara, Matt (March 28, 2023). "Outfielder Cristian Pache, out of minor-league options, will not make A's roster". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  63. ^ Casella, Paul (March 29, 2023). "Phils deal for defensive whiz Pache from A's". MLB.com. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  64. ^ "Phillies trade for Cristian Pache, put Rhys Hoskins on 60-day IL". ESPN.com. Reuters. March 29, 2023. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  65. ^ Lauber, Scott (March 29, 2023). "Phillies trade for A's outfielder Cristian Pache; place Rhys Hoskins on 60-day IL". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  66. ^ Seidman, Corey (April 29, 2023). "Phillies lose another player as Cristian Pache needs meniscus surgery". NBC Sports Philadelphia. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  67. ^ "Phillies put Cristian Pache on 10-day IL with torn meniscus". ESPN.com. Associated Press. April 29, 2023. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  68. ^ Coffey, Alex (April 29, 2023). "Phillies' Cristian Pache out with a knee injury that will require surgery". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  69. ^ Seidman, Corey (May 1, 2023). "Phillies provide timetable for Cristian Pache's return after meniscus surgery". NBC Sports Philadelphia. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  70. ^ "Philadelphia Phillies Outfielder to Have Elbow Surgery on Monday". si.com. Retrieved July 17, 2023.

External links

Philadelphia Phillies current roster
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