Anthony Russell Vasquez (born September 19, 1986) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Seattle Mariners.

Anthony Vasquez
Pitcher
Born: (1986-09-19) September 19, 1986 (age 38)
San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
Batted: Left
Threw: Left
MLB debut
August 23, 2011, for the Seattle Mariners
Last appearance
September 28, 2011, for the Seattle Mariners
MLB statistics
Win–loss record1–6
Earned run average8.90
Strikeouts13
Teams
Medals
Men's baseball
Representing  United States
WBSC Premier12
Silver medal – second place 2015 Tokyo Team

Career

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Vasquez attended Ronald Reagan High School in San Antonio, Texas, Texas A&M University, and the University of Southern California (USC). He played college baseball for the Texas A&M Aggies and the USC Trojans.[citation needed]

Seattle Mariners

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The Seattle Mariners selected Vasquez in the 18th round of the 2009 MLB draft. He made his professional debut with the rookie ball Pulaski Mariners. He spent the 2010 season playing for three Mariners affiliates, the Single-A Clinton LumberKings, the High-A High Desert Mavericks, and the Double-A West Tenn Diamond Jaxx, recording a cumulative 11–9 record and 2.46 ERA in 28 games for the clubs. He made his MLB debut on August 23, 2011. He recorded his first MLB strikeout against the second batter he faced. On November 3, 2011, Vasquez was outrighted off of the 40-man roster after struggling to a 8.90 ERA in 29.1 innings for the Mariners.[1][2] Vasquez spent the 2012 season in Triple-A with the Tacoma Rainiers, pitching to a 6.53 ERA and 6–5 record. He split the 2013 season between the Double-A Jackson Generals and Clinton, accumulating a 2–6 record and 4.08 ERA in 15 appearances.[3] On March 27, 2014, Vasquez was released by the Mariners.

Baltimore Orioles

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Vasquez signed a minor league deal with the Baltimore Orioles on April 8, 2014.[4] He split the season between the Triple-A Norfolk Tides and the Double-A Bowie Baysox, pitching to an 8–8 record and 4.95 ERA before electing free agency after the season on November 4, 2014.

Philadelphia Phillies

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Vasquez signed a minor league deal with the Philadelphia Phillies on February 3, 2015.[5] He split the year between the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs and the Double-A Reading Fightin Phils, recording a 9–8 record and 4.10 ERA. He elected free agency after the season and re-signed with the Phillies on January 12, 2016.[6] In 2016 with Lehigh Valley and Reading, Vasquez pitched to a 12–4 record and 3.08 ERA with 119 strikeouts. He elected free agency following the season on November 7.[7]

Detroit Tigers

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On January 10, 2017, Vasquez signed a minor-league contract with the Detroit Tigers.[8] Vasquez made 27 starts split between the Double–A Erie SeaWolves and Triple–A Toledo Mud Hens, registering a cumulative 12–10 record and 3.83 ERA with 104 strikeouts in 164+23 innings pitched. He elected free agency following the season on November 6.[9]

Arizona Diamondbacks

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On February 23, 2018, Vasquez signed a minor league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He was released by the organization on August 2, 2018.

Sultanes de Monterrey

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On August 7, 2018, Vasquez signed with the Sultanes de Monterrey of the Mexican League. On January 16, 2019, Vasquez signed a minor league deal with the Diamondbacks.[citation needed] He was released on July 25, 2019.

On July 30, 2019, Vasquez again signed with the Sultanes de Monterrey of the Mexican League. After the 2019 season, he played for Tomateros de Culiacán of the Mexican Pacific League(LVMP). He has also played for Mexico in the 2020 Caribbean Series.

Vasquez did not play any LMB games in 2020 due to cancellation of the LMB season during the COVID-19 pandemic.[10] In July 2020, Vasquez signed on to play for the Eastern Reyes del Tigre of the Constellation Energy League (a makeshift four-team independent league created as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic) for the 2020 season.[11] He was subsequently named to the league's all-star team.[12] After the 2020 season, Vasquez played for Tomateros of the LVMP. He has also played for Mexico in the 2021 Caribbean Series.

Mariachis de Guadalajara

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On May 20, 2021, Vasquez signed with the Mariachis de Guadalajara of the Mexican League. He made 10 starts for Guadalajara in 2021, registering a 5–1 record and 4.39 ERA with 24 strikeouts across 53+13 innings of work. Vasquez was released by the Mariachis on September 23, 2022.

After retiring from baseball, he became a financial planner.[13]

Scouting report

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Vasquez throws a fastball around 85 miles per hour (137 km/h), a changeup at around 76 miles per hour (122 km/h), and a curveball that sits around 70 miles per hour (110 km/h).[14]

Personal life

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Vasquez's father, Rudy, works as a scout for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. In November 2012, Vasquez underwent surgery to repair a cerebral arteriovenous malformation after a blood vessel in his brain ruptured. His relative, Chris Beene, is a major influence in his life.[15]

References

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  1. ^ "Outrighted to Triple-A: Johnson, Vasquez, Blue Jays".
  2. ^ "Mariners Ink 3, Will add Wilson, Big Unit to HOF". Sportspress Northwest. Archived from the original on January 22, 2012. Retrieved February 4, 2015.
  3. ^ "Anthony Vasquez Minor, Winter, Mexican & Independent Leagues Statistics & History".
  4. ^ "Minor Moves: Eric Berger, Anthony Vasquez".
  5. ^ "Minor Moves: Herrera, Dominguez, Vasquez, Feliciano".
  6. ^ "Minor MLB Transactions: 1/11/16".
  7. ^ "Minor League Free Agents 2016". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  8. ^ Beck, Jason (January 10, 2017). "Tigers sign Minors contracts with 22 players". MLB.com. Archived from the original on August 3, 2017. Retrieved January 10, 2017.
  9. ^ "Minor League Free Agents 2017". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  10. ^ "Mexican League Cancels 2020 Season".
  11. ^ Dunsmore, Ryan (July 9, 2020). "Skeeters set rosters for summer league". Fort Bend Herald. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  12. ^ "Constellation Energy League All-Star Team". Sugar Land Skeeters. September 3, 2020. Archived from the original on September 21, 2020 – via Wayback Machine.
  13. ^ "Anthony Vásquez - San Antonio, Texas, United States". linkedin.com. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  14. ^ "Vasquez to get spot start in Tuesday's nightcap". Seattle Mariners. Retrieved February 4, 2015.
  15. ^ "Vasquez recovering from emergency brain surgery". Seattle Mariners. Archived from the original on February 4, 2015. Retrieved February 4, 2015.
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