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David Aardsma

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David Aardsma
Aardsma with the Atlanta Braves
Relief pitcher
Born:(1981-12-27)December 27, 1981(age 42)
Denver, Colorado,U.S.
Batted:Right
Threw:Right
MLB debut
April 6, 2004, for the San Francisco Giants
Last MLB appearance
August 23, 2015, for the Atlanta Braves
MLB statistics
Win–loss record16–18
Earned run average4.27
Strikeouts340
Saves69
Teams

David Allan Aardsma(/ˈɑːrdzmə/;born December 27, 1981) is an American formerprofessional baseballpitcher,currently serving in theToronto Blue Jaysfront office as a coordinator of player development. He played inMajor League Baseball(MLB) from 2004 to 2015 for theSan Francisco Giants,Chicago Cubs,Chicago White Sox,Boston Red Sox,Seattle Mariners,New York Yankees,New York Mets,andAtlanta Braves.

Amateur career

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Aardsma was born inDenver, Colorado,and attendedCherry Creek High SchoolinColorado,graduating in 2000. He subsequently attendedPennsylvania State Universityin his first year of college. He transferred toRice Universityin 2001, where he remained for the rest of his college tenure. Playing for theRice Owls baseballteam, Aardsma set school single-season and career records insavesin2003.In the2003 College World Series,he earned twowinsand a save as the Owls won their first national championship.[1][2]

In 2002, while playingcollegiate summer baseballfor theFalmouth Commodoresin theCape Cod Baseball League(CCBL), Aardsma was named a league all-star, posting a 0.68 ERA with 45 strikeouts over26+2⁄3innings.[3][4]In 2010, he was inducted into theCCBL Hall of Fame.[5]

Professional career

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San Francisco Giants

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Theright-handerwas drafted in the 1st round (22nd overall) of the2003 Major League Baseball Draftby theSan Francisco Giants.[6][7]He went to theSan Jose Giantsof the High-ACalifornia League,where he posted a 1.96ERAwhile striking out 28 in 18.1 innings. He made the major-league roster in 2004, skipping Double-A and Triple-A, and made his debut on April 6, the second game of the season. In his major league debut, in front of friends and family atMinute Maid Park,he pitched two innings, allowing threehitsandwalkingone, to earn his first MLB win.[8][9]He maintained a 1.80 ERA over his first six appearances. However, after giving up tworunsin one inning on April 20, he was sent down to Triple-AFresno.He pitched in just four more games at the Major League level that year, allowing five runs on 10 hits in 4.2 innings.[10]

Aardsma's route through professional baseball was somewhat unusual, given that after making the leap from Single-A to the Giants, he was demoted to Triple-A and then subsequently started the 2005 season in Double-A with theNorwich Navigators.

Chicago Cubs

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On May 28, 2005, Aardsma, along with pitcherJerome Williams,was traded to theChicago Cubsfor veteran pitcherLaTroy Hawkins.[11][12]He spent the 2005 season in the minor leagues before returning to the big leagues with the Cubs in 2006. That year, he posted a 3–0 record and 4.08 ERA in 45 relief appearances, finishing nine games. Aardsma was especially effective againstleft-handedhitters, holding them to a.191 (12-for-63)batting average against.[13]

Chicago White Sox

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After a solid 2006 season with the Cubs, Aardsma, along with minor leaguerCarlos Vásquez,was sent across town to theChicago White Soxin exchange for relieverNeal Cotts.[14]Aardsma started the 2007 season strong. In April, he posted a 1.72 ERA while recording 23 strikeouts in only15+2⁄3innings pitched; he struck out at least one batter in each of his first 13 appearances of the season.[15]On April 4, Aardsma matched a career high with five strikeouts against theCleveland Indians.[16]On April 11, as the White Sox visited theOakland Athletics,he recorded his firstAmerican Leaguewin.[17]In May, however, he allowed 11 runs on 16 hits and nine walks.[18]

On June 2, Aardsma allowed five runs in one inning, including a three-run home run to Blue Jays outfielderAlex Rios.[19]He was then optioned to Triple-ACharlotte.[20][21]He was recalled on June 19, but only made three more appearances that season.[18]Overall, he ended with a 6.40 ERA in 25 games.

Aardsma pitching for theBoston Red Sox in 2008

Boston Red Sox

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On January 28, 2008, theBoston Red Soxacquired Aardsma from the White Sox for pitching prospects Willy Mota andMiguel Socolovich.[22]

He pitched well for the Red Sox, maintaining a 2.75 ERA with 41 strikeouts through July 18. Aardsma then suffered a groin strain that sent him to the disabled list on two different occasions. He also saw his velocity drastically diminish after returning.[23][24]He allowed 18 runs on 20 hits in 9.1 innings to finish out the season.[25]Overall, he held a 4–2 record with a 5.55 ERA in 47 games.

Seattle Mariners

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Less than a year after joining the Red Sox, Aardsma was traded to theSeattle Marinerson January 20, 2009, for minor league pitcher Fabian Williamson.[26]On April 10, he recorded the first save of his career, pitching two innings of relief against theOakland Athletics.[27]

The Mariners gave Aardsma a chance to close a game behindBrandon Morrow.Afterward, he became the team's official closer when Morrow was hurt.[28]

Aardsma during his tenure with theSeattle Mariners in 2009

Aardsma was a projected pick for the All-Star Game, but failed to make both the starting and the reserve roster.[29]He finished the season with a 2.52 ERA and 38 saves in 71.1 innings.

He followed an outstanding 2009 season with an excellent 2010. Converting 31 of 35 save opportunities, he finished the year 19-for-20 in saves with a 1.80 ERA from June 13 to September 19.[30]He became the first pitcher to earn 30 saves for a team that lost 100 games.[31]He suffered an oblique injury in September that kept him out for the rest of the season.[32]

He underwent surgery in the offseason to repair a torn labrum in his hip.[33]While rehabbing from hip surgery, Aardsma suffered an elbow strain that ultimately requiredTommy John surgeryin July 2011.[34]He was not offered arbitration by the Mariners and became a free agent after the season.[35]

New York Yankees

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On February 22, 2012, Aardsma signed a contract with theNew York Yankeesworth one year and $500,000 with a club option for 2013. Yankees general managerBrian Cashmanwas quoted as saying, "The move could help us in 2012, but it has a lot more eyes toward 2013."[36]Aardsma was activated from the disabled list on September 25, 2012, afterSteve PearceandJustin Thomaswere designated for assignment.[37]He pitched in just one game for the Yankees, on September 27, and allowed one run in one inning.

On October 29, the Yankees elected to exercise Aardsma's incentive-laden $500,000 club option for 2013.[38]However, they designated him for assignment before the start of the 2013 season. When no other team claimed him off waivers, he was released.[39][40]

Miami Marlins

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On April 11, 2013, Aardsma signed a minor league contract with theMiami Marlinsand was assigned to the Triple-ANew Orleans Zephyrs.[41]After pitching in 10 games, he opted out of his contract on May 15, 2013.[42]

New York Mets

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Aardsma pitching for theNew York Mets in 2013

On May 20, 2013, Aardsma signed a minor league deal with theNew York Mets.[43]After pitching in eight games for the Triple-ALas Vegas 51s,he was promoted to the Mets on June 8, 2013.[44]He appeared in 43 games for the Mets with a 4.31 ERA and a 2–2 record. He became a free agent following the season.

Cleveland Indians

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On January 23, 2014, Aardsma signed a minor league deal with theCleveland Indians.[45]He was released on March 21, 2014, after not making the team in spring training.[46]

St. Louis Cardinals

[edit]

On March 26, 2014, Aardsma promptly signed a minor league deal with theSt. Louis Cardinals.[47]He played in 35 games in the Cardinals farm system, mostly with the Triple-AMemphis Redbirds,missing time after undergoing groin surgery.[48][49]He finished the season going 4–1 with a 1.46 ERA and 11 saves. He became a free agent following the season on November 2.

Los Angeles Dodgers

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On February 19, 2015, Aardsma signed a minor league contract with theLos Angeles Dodgersand was invited to spring training.[50][51]He did not make the Dodgers opening day roster, and was instead assigned to the Triple-AOklahoma City Dodgers.[1]In 20 games with Oklahoma City, he had a 2.41 ERA and 18 saves. He opted out of his contract on June 4 and became a free agent.[52]

Atlanta Braves

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On June 7, 2015, Aardsma signed a minor league contract with theAtlanta Braves.[53]He was added to the Major League roster on June 9.[54]He was designated for assignment on August 24 after compiling a 4.99 ERA in 33 games for the Braves.[55]He was released on September 1 and never pitched again in the major leagues.[56]

Toronto Blue Jays

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On February 5, 2016, Aardsma signed a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training with theToronto Blue Jays.[57]He was assigned to minor league camp on March 25.[58]On May 23, Aardsma opted out of his contract.[59]

Long Island Ducks

[edit]

On April 3, 2017, Aardsma signed with theLong Island Ducksof theAtlantic League of Professional Baseball.[60][61]He became a free agent following the season. In 23 games 22.1 innings of relief he went 1-2 with a 2.01 ERA with 31 strikeouts and 9 saves.

Retirement

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Aardsma announced his retirement on February 5, 2018, and joined the Blue Jays front office as a coordinator of player development.[62]He served as an analyst forSirius XMduring spring training before the 2023 season.[63]

Personal life

[edit]

Aardsma is of Dutch descent, with all of his great-great-grandparents coming from theNetherlands.Because of this, he was slated to play for the Netherlands in theWorld Baseball Classic,but was ruled ineligible and did not play.[64]Of allbaseballplayers in history, the surname "Aardsma" ranks first Alpha betically; his major league debut displaced Hall of FamerHank Aaron.[65][66]Aardsma's sister is American actress andbeauty pageantcontestant Amanda Aardsma.[67]

Aardsma and his wife Andrea have a son, born on June 26, 2010.[68]

References

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