Matt Albers
Albers pitching for the Chicago White Sox in 2016
Pitcher
Born: (1983-01-20) January 20, 1983 (age 41)
Houston, Texas, U.S.
Batted: Left
Threw: Right
MLB debut
July 25, 2006, for the Houston Astros
Last MLB appearance
September 28, 2019, for the Milwaukee Brewers
MLB statistics
Win–loss record47–48
Earned run average4.35
Strikeouts571
Teams

Matthew James Albers (born January 20, 1983) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Houston Astros, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Arizona Diamondbacks, Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, Washington Nationals, and Milwaukee Brewers.

High school career

In 2001, Albers graduated from William P. Clements High School in Sugar Land, Texas. That year, the Houston Astros selected him in the 23rd round (686th overall) of the 2001 MLB Draft.[1]

Professional career

Minor leagues

Albers made his professional debut in 2002 with the Rookie-level Martinsville Astros, going 2–3 with a 5.13 earned run average (ERA) in 13 starts.[2] He then spent the next three seasons climbing up the Single-A ranks, spending a season each with the Tri-City ValleyCats, Lexington Legends and Salem Avalanche.[2] Albers started the 2006 season with the Corpus Christi Hooks of the Class AA Texas League, posting a 10–2 win–loss record with a 2.17 ERA in 19 starts.[2]

Houston Astros

On July 20, 2006, the Astros called him up to the major leagues.[3] Albers pitched a few games in relief, then made his first Major League start against the San Diego Padres on August 3, 2006, allowing five runs on eight hits in five-plus innings.[4] The Astros then sent Albers to the Round Rock Express of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League two days later.[5] The Astros promoted Albers back to the major leagues when rosters expanded in September.[6] In 2006, Albers was named Texas League Pitcher of the Year.[7]

Albers got his first Major League win on May 5, 2007, against the St. Louis Cardinals, when he pitched 7+1⁄3 innings without giving up a run.[8]

Baltimore Orioles

Albers pitching for the Baltimore Orioles in 2009

After being a starting pitcher for two years, Albers was traded to the Baltimore Orioles on December 12, 2007, as part of the Miguel Tejada trade.[9] In the middle of the 2008 season, he was placed on the disabled list due to a torn labrum in his right shoulder.[10]

Boston Red Sox

Albers with the Red Sox in 2011

On December 16, 2010, Albers signed a one-year contract with the Boston Red Sox.[11] With the 2011 Red Sox, he made 56 relief appearances, compiling a 4–4 record with 4.73 ERA, 68 strikeouts, and 31 walks in 64+2⁄3 innings pitched.[12]

On December 12, 2011, Albers signed a one-year deal to return to Boston, thus avoiding arbitration.[13] During his time with the 2012 Red Sox, he made 40 relief appearances and posted a 2–0 record with a 2.29 ERA, 25 strikeouts and 15 walks in 39+1⁄3 innings pitched.[12]

Arizona Diamondbacks

On July 31, 2012, the Red Sox traded Albers and outfielder Scott Podsednik to the Arizona Diamondbacks for relief pitcher Craig Breslow.[14] In 23 relief appearances with Arizona, Albers went 1–1 with a 2.57 ERA.[12]

Cleveland Indians

On December 11, 2012, Albers was traded along with relief pitcher Bryan Shaw and starting pitcher Trevor Bauer to the Cleveland Indians as part of a three-way deal involving the Diamondbacks and Cincinnati Reds. Drew Stubbs went from the Reds to the Indians, the Arizona Diamondbacks received relief pitcher Tony Sipp and first baseman Lars Anderson from the Indians, and shortstop Didi Gregorius from the Reds. The Cincinnati Reds received right fielder Shin-Soo Choo, infielder Jason Donald, and $3.5 million from Cleveland.[15]

Houston Astros (second stint)

On December 16, 2013, Albers signed a one-year contract worth $2.45 million that came with a club option for 2015.[16] Houston declined his 2015 option on October 9, 2014, making him a free agent.[17]

Chicago White Sox

On February 13, 2015, he signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox.[18][19] On April 22, 2015, Albers was involved in a bench-clearing brawl against the Kansas City Royals.[20] Albers suffered a fractured finger trying to escape the fracas, which placed him on the 15-day disabled list.[21]

On January 21, 2016, Albers signed a one-year, $2.25 million contract.[22] On June 1, 2016, Albers hit a double in the 13th inning, advanced on a wild pitch, and scored on a sacrifice fly.[23] It proved to be the winning run as the White Sox won against the Mets 2–1.[24]

Washington Nationals

Albers signed a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training with the Washington Nationals for the 2017 season.[25] He was released on March 27, 2017, despite giving up no earned runs over 11+2⁄3 innings.[26] The Nationals re-signed Albers, and promoted him to the major leagues on April 9.[27] On May 5, 2017, Albers recorded his first career save in a 4–2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.[28]

Milwaukee Brewers

Albers signed a two-year, $5 million deal, with the Milwaukee Brewers on January 30, 2018.[29] He elected free agency on October 31, 2019.

Pitching style

Albers is mainly a sinkerball pitcher, throwing it in the 93–96 mph range. He complements the sinker with a hard slider and an occasional curveball.[30]

Personal life

As of 2017, Albers and his family reside in The Woodlands, Texas, a suburb of Houston.[31]

Albers' wife Tara was eight months pregnant with the couple's second child when Hurricane Harvey hit the region in August 2017.[32] She and their son evacuated to Dallas as a result of the storm.[31] Albers partnered with Washington Nationals teammate Anthony Rendon, a fellow Houstonian, to set up a YouCaring fundraiser page to raise money for donations to the Houston Food Bank in the wake of the hurricane.[33][34][35]

References

  1. ^ "MLB Draft History". MLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
  2. ^ a b c "Matt Albers Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  3. ^ Footer, Alyson (July 20, 2006). "Albers recalled, Rodriguez sent down". Houston Astros. MLB.com. Archived from the original on October 17, 2006. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  4. ^ "Padres snap three-game losing skid with Gonzalez's help". ESPN. Associated Press. August 3, 2006. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  5. ^ Footer, Alyson (August 5, 2006). "Astros recall Nieve as Albers departs". Houston Astros. MLB.com. Archived from the original on August 9, 2006. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  6. ^ "Houston Astros Transactions". MLB.com. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  7. ^ "Albers, Pence to receive honors". Minor League Baseball. January 12, 2007. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  8. ^ Footer, Alyson (May 5, 2007). "Albers, Astros shut down Cards". Houston Astros. MLB.com. Archived from the original on May 15, 2007. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  9. ^ "Tejada traded to Astros, Orioles to receive five players for former AL MVP". Sports Illustrated. CNN. Associated Press. December 12, 2007. Archived from the original on December 14, 2007. Retrieved December 12, 2007.
  10. ^ Cornak, Amanda (June 27, 2008). "Albers' status not encouraging to O's". Baltimore Orioles. MLB.com. Archived from the original on June 29, 2008. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  11. ^ Abraham, Peter (December 16, 2010). "Red Sox sign Albers". The Boston Globe. Retrieved December 16, 2010.
  12. ^ a b c "Matt Albers Stats". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  13. ^ "Red Sox sign Albers to one-year contract". Boston Red Sox. MLB.com. December 12, 2011. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 22, 2015.
  14. ^ "Red Sox trade Podsednik, Albers, Anderson". Bangor Daily News. Associated Press. July 31, 2012. Retrieved August 1, 2012.
  15. ^ Meisel, Zack (December 11, 2012). "Tribe, D-backs, Reds complete nine-player deal". MLB.com. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  16. ^ Hoynes, Paul (December 17, 2013). "Cleveland Indians reach 1-year deal with John Axford; Matt Albers signs with Astros". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved February 23, 2014.
  17. ^ "Astros decline option on Albers". Associated Press. October 10, 2014. Archived from the original on February 15, 2015. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  18. ^ "White Sox, Albers agree to minor league deal". ESPN. Associated Press. February 13, 2015. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  19. ^ Merkin, Scott (February 13, 2015). "White Sox add Albers to 'pen mix with Minor League deal". Chicago White Sox. MLB.com. Archived from the original on February 14, 2015. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  20. ^ Padilla, Doug (April 23, 2015). "Tempers flare at Chicago, five ejected". ESPN. Retrieved April 23, 2015.
  21. ^ Merkin, Scott (April 25, 2015). "Albers placed on DL with fractured finger". MLB.com. Archived from the original on April 27, 2015. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
  22. ^ "White Sox re-sign Matt Albers for one-year, $2.25-million". South Side Sox. SB Nation. January 21, 2016. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  23. ^ Joseph, Andrew (June 1, 2016). "White Sox reliever Matt Albers had the best day ever". USA Today. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  24. ^ Pinto, David (June 1, 2016). "The Albers Game : baseballmusings.com". Baseball Musings. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  25. ^ Janes, Chelsea (January 31, 2017). "Nationals sign righties Joe Nathan and Matt Albers to minor league deals". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 31, 2017.
  26. ^ Reddington, Patrick (March 27, 2017). "Washington Nationals announce Joe Nathan and Matt Albers have been unconditionally released..." Federal Baseball. SB Nation. Retrieved March 27, 2017.
  27. ^ MLBRosterMoves [@MLBRosterMoves] (April 9, 2017). ".@Nationals select RHP Matt Albers from Triple-A Syracuse, designate RHP Jeremy Guthrie for assignment" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  28. ^ Clair, Michael; Collier, Jamal (May 5, 2017). "After 12 years and 102 games finished, Matt Albers finally recorded his very first save". MLB.com. Cut4. Retrieved September 8, 2017.
  29. ^ "Brewers, reliever Albers agree to 2-year deal". ESPN. January 29, 2018. Retrieved January 29, 2018.
  30. ^ "PITCHf/x Player Card: Matt Albers". Brooks Baseball. Archived from the original on August 24, 2012. Retrieved April 26, 2012.
  31. ^ a b Janes, Chelsea (August 28, 2017). "Houston natives Anthony Rendon, Matt Albers struggle with Hurricane Harvey from afar". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
  32. ^ Zuckerman, Mark (August 30, 2017). "Albers, Rendon try to balance baseball with families in Houston". MASN. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
  33. ^ Newman, Mark; Thornburg, Chad (August 31, 2017). "Victims receiving donations from across MLB". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved November 15, 2017.
  34. ^ Tinsman, Brian (August 29, 2017). "D.C. Athletes Donate, Raise Money for Harvey Relief". WUSA. Archived from the original on August 30, 2017. Retrieved November 15, 2017.
  35. ^ Tufts, Abigail (August 30, 2017). "Houston natives Rendon and Albers set up relief fund for victims of Hurricane Harvey". MASN. Nationals Buzz. Retrieved November 15, 2017.

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