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Joe Savery

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Joe Savery
Savery pitching for the Phillies, 2012
Pitcher
Born:(1985-11-04)November 4, 1985(age 38)
Houston, Texas,U.S.
Batted:Left
Threw:Left
MLB debut
September 20, 2011, for the Philadelphia Phillies
Last MLB appearance
May 18, 2014, for the Oakland Athletics
MLB statistics
Win–loss record3–2
Earned run average3.83
Strikeouts32
Teams

Joseph Cain Savery(born November 4, 1985) is an American formerprofessional baseballpitcher.He played inMajor League Baseball(MLB) for thePhiladelphia Philliesfrom 2011 through 2013 andOakland Athleticsin 2014. Before playing professionally, Savery attendedRice University,and playedcollege baseballfor theRice Owls.

Amateur career[edit]

A 2004 graduate ofLamar High School,Savery was a four-year starter and letterman for the Lamar Redskins. During his tenure at Lamar, he earned first team all-state and first team all-greater Houston. He was a three-time first team all-district 18-5a honoree, and was voted the most valuable player in the district in 2004. Joe was named the 2004 Proline player of the year after hitting.556 with 7 home runs and 40 RBI as a senior. He also went 11–0 on the mound with 93 strikeouts, posting a 0.53 ERA. Joe lead the Redskins to be nationally ranked in 3 different polls during his senior year.[1]

Savery matriculated toRice Universityin August 2004, where he played for theRice Owls baseballteam. Savery concentrated on baseball, starting at first base and in the outfield when not pitching.[citation needed]

As afreshmanin 2005, Savery stepped into the starting lineup as opening-day pitcher and a regular in the batting lineup. Savery earned second- and third-team all-America honors while being named National Freshman of the Year andWestern Athletic ConferencePlayer of the Year. He was named first-team all-WAC at pitcher andfirst baseafter leading the conference with a.382 batting average and finishing second with a 2.49 ERA. In the postseason, Savery helped Rice to an upsetNCAAregional win overLSUat formidableAlex Box StadiuminBaton Rouge.In the NCAA super regional against top-rankedTulane,Savery broke his right hand in the opening game while making a sliding catch against theTurchin Stadiumfence. The injury prevented Savery from hitting, but he pitched into the seventh inning and allowed only one run in Rice's Game 2 loss. Tulane advanced to the2005 College World Serieswith a win in Game 3.[citation needed]

As asophomorein 2006, Savery again earned third-team all-America status despite making only 11 pitching starts due to injury. At the plate, Savery hit.335 and was one of Rice's most dangerous postseason hitters, earning MVP honors inthat year's conference tournament[2]and making the all-regional team. He also hit a three-run home run in the decisive third game of the NCAA super regional againstOklahoma,helping the Owls to the2006 College World Series.At the College World Series, Savery went 3-for-3 in Rice's opening-game win againstGeorgiabut was just 1-for-9 after that.[citation needed]

As ajuniorin 2007, Savery spent much of the season trying to recover his form on the mound after offseason surgery. He continued to dominate at the plate, leading the Owls in hitting, but struggled with control and efficiency on the mound while posting a sub-3.00 ERA. Savery was named a first-team all-America as a two-way player and earned his second conference Player of the Year award in three seasons. He saved his best for the postseason, leading Rice through the NCAA regional with a Most Outstanding Player performance that included a dominant mound performance in the Sunday clincher againstTCU.[citation needed]

Four days after the regional, during an emotional pre-super-regional press conference, Savery was selected in the first round of the2007 Major League Baseball Draft.Rice then sweptTexas A&Min a tense super regional to advance to the2007 College World Series.After hitting a homer in the first game againstLouisville,Savery finally got to pitch in Omaha and earned the win in a 14–4 defeat ofNorth Carolina.[citation needed]

Professional career[edit]

Philadelphia Phillies[edit]

Savery, pitching for the Class-A advancedClearwater Threshers

Savery was the Phillies' first-rounddraftpick out of Rice in 2007 as the 19th overall pick. After signing with thePhiladelphia Phillies,Savery was assigned to theWilliamsport Crosscuttersof the New York-Penn League (Class A Short Season). In 7 starts, he compiled a 2–3 W-L record with a 2.73 ERA. He struck out 22 and walked 13. He played in the 2007Arizona Fall Leaguewith thePeoria Saguaros.

In 2008 Savery skipped over Class A Lakewood and was assigned to Class A Advanced Clearwater. There he went 9–10 with a 4.13 ERA over 27 games (24 starts). He compiled 122 Ks in 150.1 innings while giving up 60 walks. He allowed 10 home runs as well.

In 2009 Savery split time between Reading and Lehigh Valley, the AA and AAA affiliates of the Phillies, respectively. In Reading he had one of his best seasons. He went 12–4 with a 4.41 ERA struck out 77 in 112.1 innings pitched while walking 53, and giving up 13 home runs. He earned a mid-season call-up to AAA Lehigh Valley. There he went 4–2 in 7 starts with an ERA of 4.38. In 39 innings he walked 24 while striking out only 19, indicating some issues with his control.

In 2010 Savery was assigned to Lehigh Valley where his stats and his control got worse. He went 1–12 with his worst ERA of his professional career at 4.66, striking out 67 and giving up 51 walks in 127.1 innings.

During the off-season of 2010 it was announced that Savery would be converted into a hitter, with the hope he can recapture his collegiate success. He participated in the FIL after the season to learn first base which is where he will play in 2011.[citation needed]

During the off-season Joe worked on his strength and conditioning. He switched some of his training techniques from being a pitcher, and began training more like a hitter. After hitting.348 for the AAALehigh Valley IronPigs[3]the Phillies were quite optimistic about Joe's chances of becoming a force in their Major League Lineup.[citation needed]After a successful spring training in 2011, Joe was sent toClearwater Threshers.As of April 15, 2011, Joe is hitting.621, with 4 doubles and 1 home-run. He finished the season batting.307 with 2 home runs for Clearwater. He was later promoted to AA Reading and AAA Lehigh Valley where he was once again converted to a pitcher, but this time a relief pitcher. He compiled a 1.80 ERA, 2 saves, 25/6 k/BB ratio, in 25 innings pitched for the IronPigs.[3]

Savery was called up to the Philadelphia Phillies on September 16,2011,after spending most of the 2011 season with the Phillies' AAA affiliate, theLehigh Valley IronPigs.[4]He made his debut on September 20, 2011, against the Washington Nationals. In his first four appearances, Savery faced nine batters, giving up one hit, recording two strike-outs and no walks.

Savery opened the2012season with the Phillies, appearing on an Opening Day roster for the first time in his career.[5]He was optioned to the IronPigs on April 15 to accommodateJosé Contreras's return to the active roster, but returned to the Phillies less than a week later afterCliff Leelanded on the 15-day Disabled List.[6]

Savery started the 2013 season with Lehigh Valley. He was recalled on April 19 and made one appearance before being optioned. He was recalled again by the Phillies on May 6 whenRoy Halladaywent on the disabled list,[7]but didn't make an appearance before being optioned. He was recalled on May 31 when the strugglingChad Durbinwas released.[8]On July 23, Savery was placed on the disabled list with elbow stiffness,[9]and returned as a September call-up on September 3. In 18 games with the Phillies in 2013, Savery went 2–0 with 1 hold and a 3.15 ERA, striking out 14 in 20 innings.

Savery was designated for assignment on February 16, 2014.

Oakland Athletics[edit]

Savery was claimed off waivers by theOakland Athleticson February 17, 2014.[10]He was designated for assignment on September 1, 2014.

Chicago White Sox[edit]

Savery signed a minor league deal with theChicago White Soxon January 22, 2015.[11]He was released on March 30.

Retirement[edit]

On April 8, 2015, Savery announced his retirement from professional baseball.[12]

References[edit]

  1. ^"Player Bio: Joe Savery - RICE OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE".riceowls.Archived fromthe originalon March 11, 2010.
  2. ^"2012 Conference USA Baseball Media Guide"(PDF).p. 93. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on November 12, 2012.RetrievedJune 21,2012.
  3. ^ab"Joe Savery Fall & Minor Leagues Statistics & History".
  4. ^"Ryne Sandberg and five Lehigh Valley IronPigs called up to Philadelphia Phillies".September 17, 2011.
  5. ^Murphy, David (April 3, 2012)."Savery gets final bullpen spot as Phillies finalize Opening Day roster".Philadelphia Daily News.RetrievedApril 4,2012.
  6. ^"Cliff Lee Injury: Phils' Ace Goes on DL with Left Oblique Strain".SB Nation. April 21, 2012.RetrievedApril 21,2012.
  7. ^"Joe Savery recalled -- decision on starter will wait".May 6, 2013.RetrievedMay 6,2013.
  8. ^Seidman, Corey (May 31, 2013)."Phillies release Chad Durbin, recall Joe Savery".CSN Philadelphia.Archived fromthe originalon June 8, 2013.
  9. ^Cannon, Jeremy David (July 24, 2013)."Phillies' Joe Savery hits DL; Raul Valdes recalled".MLB Injury News.Archived fromthe originalon October 19, 2013.
  10. ^"Home".
  11. ^"Soto, Penny get minors deals".ESPN.Associated Press. January 22, 2015.RetrievedJanuary 23,2015.
  12. ^"Former Phillies pitcher/first baseman/designated hitter Joe Savery announces retirement".Philadelphia. Philadelphia. April 8, 2015.RetrievedJune 9,2016.

External links[edit]

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