Joe Savery
Encyclopedia
Joseph Cain Savery is a pitcher
for Philadelphia Phillies
of Major League Baseball
.
, Savery was a 4 year starter and letterman for the Lamar Redskins under Jorge Garza. During his tenure at Lamar, he earned first team all-state and first team all-greater Houston. He was a 3 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 homeruns and 40 RBI as a senior. He also went 11-0 on the mound with 93 strikeouts, posting a .53 ERA. Joe lead the Redskins to be nationally ranked in 3 different polls during his senior year.
Savery matriculated to Rice University
in August 2004, where he played for the Rice Owls baseball
team. Savery concentrated on baseball, starting at first base and in the outfield when not pitching.
As a freshman
in 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 and Western Athletic Conference
Player of the Year. He was named first-team all-WAC at pitcher and first base after leading the conference with a .382 batting average and finishing second with a 2.49 ERA. In the postseason, Savery helped Rice to an upset NCAA regional win over LSU
at formidable Alex Box Stadium
in Baton Rouge
. In the NCAA super regional against top-ranked Tulane
, Savery broke his right hand in the opening game while making a sliding catch against the Turchin Stadium
fence. 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 the 2005 College World Series
with a win in Game 3.
As a sophomore
in 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 Conference USA
Tournament MVP honors and making the all-regional team. He also hit a three-run home run in the decisive third game of the NCAA super regional against Oklahoma
, helping the Owls to the 2006 College World Series
. At the College World Series, Savery went 3-for-3 in Rice's opening-game win against Georgia
but was just 1-for-9 after that. The television clip of Savery slamming his helmet in the dugout during Rice's 23-inning scoreless drought that led to its elimination by eventual champion Oregon State
was one of the lasting images of the 2006 CWS.
As a junior
in 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 against TCU
.
Four days after the regional, during an emotional pre-super-regional press conference, Savery was selected in the first round of the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft
. Rice then swept Texas A&M
in a tense super regional to advance to the 2007 College World Series
. After hitting a homer in the first game against Louisville
, Savery finally got to pitch in Omaha and earned the win in a 14-4 defeat of North Carolina
.
, Savery was assigned to the Williamsport Crosscutters
of 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 2007 Arizona Fall League
with the Peoria 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, respectiely. 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.
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 AAA Leigh Valley Iron Pigs the Phillies were quite optimistic about Joe's chances of becoming a force in their Major League Lineup. After a successful spring training in 2011, Joe was sent to Clearwater 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 Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs.
Savery was called up to the Philadelphia Phillies on September 16, 2011, after spending most of the 2011 season with the Phillies' AAA affiliate, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs
. 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.
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
for Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
of Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
.
Amateur career
A 2004 graduate of Lamar High SchoolLamar High School (Houston)
Mirabeau B. Lamar Senior High School is a secondary school located at 3325 Westheimer Road in Houston, Texas, United States, with a zip code of 77098...
, Savery was a 4 year starter and letterman for the Lamar Redskins under Jorge Garza. During his tenure at Lamar, he earned first team all-state and first team all-greater Houston. He was a 3 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 homeruns and 40 RBI as a senior. He also went 11-0 on the mound with 93 strikeouts, posting a .53 ERA. Joe lead the Redskins to be nationally ranked in 3 different polls during his senior year.
Savery matriculated to Rice University
Rice University
William Marsh Rice University, commonly referred to as Rice University or Rice, is a private research university located on a heavily wooded campus in Houston, Texas, United States...
in August 2004, where he played for the Rice Owls baseball
Rice Owls baseball
The Rice Owls baseball team is the interscholastic baseball team representing Rice University in Houston, Texas. The Rice Owls have been a regular fixture in the NCAA Tournament, participating in every tournament since 1995 including a victory in the 2003 College World Series, the first national...
team. Savery concentrated on baseball, starting at first base and in the outfield when not pitching.
As a freshman
Freshman
A freshman or fresher is a first-year student in secondary school, high school, or college. The term first year can also be used as a noun, to describe the students themselves A freshman (US) or fresher (UK, India) (or sometimes fish, freshie, fresher; slang plural frosh or freshmeat) is a...
in 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 and Western Athletic Conference
Western Athletic Conference
The Western Athletic Conference is an American collegiate athletic conference, which was formed on July 27, 1962, making it the sixth oldest of the 11 college athletic conferences currently participating in the NCAA's Division I FBS...
Player of the Year. He was named first-team all-WAC at pitcher and first base after leading the conference with a .382 batting average and finishing second with a 2.49 ERA. In the postseason, Savery helped Rice to an upset NCAA regional win over LSU
LSU Tigers
The LSU Tigers are the athletic teams of Louisiana State University. They participate in the NCAA's Division I, in the Southeastern Conference. It fields teams in 14 varsity sports . Its official team nickname is the Fighting Tigers and the school mascot is Mike the Tiger...
at formidable Alex Box Stadium
Alex Box Stadium
Alex Box Stadium, sometimes pronounced as "Elec" or "Alec" Box, is a baseball stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It is the home field of the Louisiana State University Tigers college baseball team...
in Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge is the capital of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is located in East Baton Rouge Parish and is the second-largest city in the state.Baton Rouge is a major industrial, petrochemical, medical, and research center of the American South...
. In the NCAA super regional against top-ranked Tulane
Tulane Green Wave
Green Wave, the nickname of the sports teams of Tulane University, was adopted during the 1920 season, after a song titled The Rolling Green Wave was published in Tulane's student newspaper in 1920. From 1893 to 1919, the athletic teams of Tulane were known as the Olive and Blue for the official...
, Savery broke his right hand in the opening game while making a sliding catch against the Turchin Stadium
Turchin Stadium
Greer Field at Turchin Stadium is a baseball stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana. It is the on-campus home the Tulane University Green Wave college baseball team. The stadium was named for Robert Turchin, a World War II veteran and 1943 graduate of Tulane, and his wife, Lillian Turchin, who headed...
fence. 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 the 2005 College World Series
2005 College World Series
The 2005 College World Series was held June 17 through 27, 2005 in Omaha, Nebraska. Eight NCAA Division I college baseball teams met after having played their way through a 64-team bracket to play at historic Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium. It was won by Texas, which defeated Florida in the championship...
with a win in Game 3.
As a sophomore
Sophomore
Sophomore is a term used in the United States to describe a student in the second year of study at high school or university.The word is also used as a synonym for "second", for the second album or EP released by a musician or group, the second movie of a director, or the second season of a...
in 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 Conference USA
Conference USA
Conference USA, officially abbreviated C-USA, is a college athletic conference whose member institutions are located within the Southern United States. The conference participates in the NCAA's Division I in all sports...
Tournament MVP honors and making the all-regional team. He also hit a three-run home run in the decisive third game of the NCAA super regional against Oklahoma
Oklahoma Sooners
The University of Oklahoma features 19 varsity sports teams. Both men's and women's teams are called the Sooners, a nickname given to the early participants in the land rushes which initially opened the Oklahoma Indian Territory to non-native settlement. They participate in the NCAA's Division I-A,...
, helping the Owls to the 2006 College World Series
2006 College World Series
The 2006 College World Series was held June 16-26 in Omaha, Nebraska; it was the 60th College World Series and the 57th series held in Omaha. Eight NCAA Division I college baseball teams met after having advanced through a 64-team bracket to play at historic Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium...
. At the College World Series, Savery went 3-for-3 in Rice's opening-game win against Georgia
Georgia Bulldogs
The Georgia Bulldogs are the athletic teams of the University of Georgia. The Bulldogs compete in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I and are members of the Southeastern Conference...
but was just 1-for-9 after that. The television clip of Savery slamming his helmet in the dugout during Rice's 23-inning scoreless drought that led to its elimination by eventual champion Oregon State
Oregon State Beavers
The Oregon State Beavers is a name shared by all sports teams at Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon. The Beavers are part of the Pacific-12 Conference . Oregon State's mascot is Benny the Beaver...
was one of the lasting images of the 2006 CWS.
As a junior
Junior (education)
"Junior" is a term used in the United States to describe a student in their 3rd year of study . A Junior is considered an upperclassman...
in 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 against TCU
TCU Horned Frogs
The TCU Horned Frogs are the athletic teams that represent Texas Christian University, consisting of 18 varsity teams. The "horned frog" nickname and mascot refer to the Texas horned lizard, as known as the "horned frog". The women's athletics teams are often referred to often as the Lady Frogs...
.
Four days after the regional, during an emotional pre-super-regional press conference, Savery was selected in the first round of the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft
2007 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2007 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft was Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft of high school and college baseball players, and was held on June 7 and June 8, 2007...
. Rice then swept Texas A&M
Texas A&M Aggies
Texas A&M Aggies refers to the students, graduates, and sports teams of Texas A&M University. The nickname "Aggie" is common at land-grant or "Ag" schools in many states. The teams compete in Division I of NCAA sports...
in a tense super regional to advance to the 2007 College World Series
2007 College World Series
The 2007 College World Series was held from June 15–24, in Omaha, Nebraska. Eight NCAA Division I college baseball teams met at Rosenblatt Stadium after having played their way through a 64-team bracket. This was the 61st College World Series overall, and the 58th to be held in Omaha.Oregon State...
. After hitting a homer in the first game against Louisville
Louisville Cardinals
The Louisville Cardinals are the athletic teams representing the University of Louisville. A member of the Big East Conference since 2005, they are known nationally as traditional powers in men's basketball, women's volleyball, and dance team...
, Savery finally got to pitch in Omaha and earned the win in a 14-4 defeat of North Carolina
North Carolina Tar Heels
The North Carolina Tar Heels are the athletic teams for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The name Tar Heel is a nickname used to refer to individuals from the state of North Carolina, the Tar Heel State...
.
Professional career
Savery was the Phillies' first-round draft pick out of Rice in 2007 as the 19th overall pick. After signing with the Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
, Savery was assigned to the Williamsport Crosscutters
Williamsport Crosscutters
The Williamsport Crosscutters are a Short-Season A classification minor league baseball team based in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, in the United States...
of 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 2007 Arizona Fall League
Arizona Fall League
The Arizona Fall League is an off-season league owned and operated by Major League Baseball which operates during the fall in Arizona, United States at five spring training complexes...
with the Peoria Saguaros
Peoria Saguaros
The Surprise Saguaros are a baseball team that plays in the West Division of the Arizona Fall League. They play their home games at Surprise Stadium in Surprise, Arizona....
.
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, respectiely. 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.
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 AAA Leigh Valley Iron Pigs the Phillies were quite optimistic about Joe's chances of becoming a force in their Major League Lineup. After a successful spring training in 2011, Joe was sent to Clearwater Threshers
Clearwater Threshers
The Clearwater Threshers are a minor league baseball team that currently plays in the Florida State League. Since 2004, the team competes in the West Division....
. 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 Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs.
Savery was called up to the Philadelphia Phillies on September 16, 2011, after spending most of the 2011 season with the Phillies' AAA affiliate, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs
Lehigh Valley IronPigs
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs are a minor league baseball team that plays in the International League. The IronPigs are the Triple-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. The team plays their home games at Coca-Cola Park, which is located in Allentown, Pennsylvania...
. 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.