Wilfredo Ledezma
Encyclopedia
Wilfredo Jose Ledezma is a Venezuela
n professional baseball
pitcher
who is with the Los Angeles Dodgers
organization. He has previously played for the Detroit Tigers
, Atlanta Braves
, San Diego Padres
, Arizona Diamondbacks
, Washington Nationals
, and Pittsburgh Pirates
. He bats and throws left-handed
.
as am amateur free agent in 1998. After playing in the Dominican Summer League
in 1998, he was with the Gulf Coast Red Sox in 1999 and the Augusta Greenjackets
in 2000. He missed the entire 2001 season due to a stress fracture in his left elbow. In 2002 he returned to Augusta but was shut down for the season on May 22 due to lower back strain.
in the 2002 Rule 5 draft
on December 16, 2002 and made his Major League debut on April 2, 2003 for the Tigers, working two scoreless innings against the Minnesota Twins
. His first win came in a two-inning relief appearance on June 4 against the San Diego Padres
. He made his first start on July 8 against the Chicago White Sox
. Overall, he was in 34 games (8 starts) during his rookie season and finished 3-7 with a 5.79 ERA.
Between 2004 and 2007, he alternated between pitching for the Tigers and for the AA Erie Seawolves
and AAA Toledo Mud Hens
. In 2004 with Erie, he was named the Tigers "minor league pitcher of the year" and selected to the Eastern League mid-season all-star team. He pitched in 106 games for Detroit, with a 15-18 record and 5.15 ERA. Ledezma was also the winning pitcher in game 4 of the 2006 American League Championship Series
.
One of the most bizarre moments of the 2006 season occurred when Ledezma started on September 8. After giving up five earned run
s in 4.1 innings, an obviously distressed Ledezma returned to the dugout and proceeded to dismantle and, literally, eat his hat.
for Macay McBride
on June 20, 2007. On July 13, 2007, he was placed on the restricted list. He had gone home to Venezuela
during the All-Star break, during which he accidentally damaged his visa
and passport
in the washing machine. The Braves activated him from the restricted list on July 19, 2007. Ledezma was designated for assignment
on July 29 by the Braves. He was 0-2 with a 7.71 ERA in 12 appearances for Atlanta.
for reliever Royce Ring
. He appeared in 9 games with the Padres, with an ERA of 6.28 and also appeared in 11 games for the AAA Portland Beavers
, where his ERA was 4.41.
and appeared in 3 games for them before he was non-tendered following the season, becoming a free agent.
. He appeared in only 5 games for the Nationals, spending most of his time with the Syracuse Chiefs. He was released on July 6, 2009.
on August 5, 2009 and pitched in 8 games for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats
and 3 for the Dunedin Blue Jays
but was never called up to the Majors. In October 2009, he was granted free agency.
, with an invite to Spring Training.
On July 27, 2010, he was called up with Steven Jackson
to replace Brad Lincoln
and Brendan Donnelly
. The Pirates designated Ledezma for assignment on December 24, 2010 to clear roster space after signing free agent pitcher Aaron Thompson
. He was in 27 games for the Pirates, with an 0-3 record and 6.86 ERA.
. He began the 2011 season with the Triple-A Las Vegas 51s
before having his contract purchased on July 23. Jo-Jo Reyes
was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for Ledezma.
Following a 12-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays
on August 28 (during which Ledezma pitched the ninth inning and surrendered 6 earned runs on five hits and 3 walks), Ledezma was designated for assignment. Brian Tallet
was called up to replace Ledezma. After the 2011 season, he elected for free agency.
that contained an invitation to spring training.
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
n professional baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
pitcher
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...
who is with the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
organization. He has previously played for the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
, Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
, San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
, Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
, Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
, and Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
. He bats and throws left-handed
Left-handed
Left-handedness is the preference for the left hand over the right for everyday activities such as writing. In ancient times it was seen as a sign of the devil, and was abhorred in many cultures...
.
Career
Boston Red Sox
Ledezma was originally signed by the Boston Red SoxBoston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
as am amateur free agent in 1998. After playing in the Dominican Summer League
Dominican Summer League
The Dominican Summer League is a branch of affiliated minor league baseball which is played in the Dominican Republic. The league was founded in 1985. The 2011 72-game season begins May 28 and ends August 20...
in 1998, he was with the Gulf Coast Red Sox in 1999 and the Augusta Greenjackets
Augusta GreenJackets
The Augusta GreenJackets are a minor league baseball team that plays in Augusta, Georgia, as a Class A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. Lake Olmstead Stadium has been the home of the GreenJackets since the 1995 season, although Augusta has fielded a team in the South Atlantic League since 1988...
in 2000. He missed the entire 2001 season due to a stress fracture in his left elbow. In 2002 he returned to Augusta but was shut down for the season on May 22 due to lower back strain.
Detroit Tigers
Ledezma was drafted by the Detroit TigersDetroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
in the 2002 Rule 5 draft
Rule 5 draft
The Rule 5 draft is a Major League Baseball player draft that occurs each year in December, at the annual Winter Meeting of general managers. The Rule 5 draft aims to prevent teams from stockpiling too many young players on their minor league affiliate teams when other teams would be willing to...
on December 16, 2002 and made his Major League debut on April 2, 2003 for the Tigers, working two scoreless innings against the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
. His first win came in a two-inning relief appearance on June 4 against the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
. He made his first start on July 8 against the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
. Overall, he was in 34 games (8 starts) during his rookie season and finished 3-7 with a 5.79 ERA.
Between 2004 and 2007, he alternated between pitching for the Tigers and for the AA Erie Seawolves
Erie SeaWolves
The Erie SeaWolves are a minor league baseball team based in Erie, Pennsylvania. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers Major League Baseball club....
and AAA Toledo Mud Hens
Toledo Mud Hens
The Toledo Mud Hens are a minor league baseball team located in Toledo, Ohio. The Mud Hens play in the International League, and are affiliated with the major league baseball team the Detroit Tigers, based approximately 50 miles to the north of Toledo. The current team is one of several...
. In 2004 with Erie, he was named the Tigers "minor league pitcher of the year" and selected to the Eastern League mid-season all-star team. He pitched in 106 games for Detroit, with a 15-18 record and 5.15 ERA. Ledezma was also the winning pitcher in game 4 of the 2006 American League Championship Series
2006 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 10, 2006 at McAfee Coliseum in Oakland, CaliforniaOakland was 0-for-13 with runners in scoring position, while Detroit turned four double plays...
.
One of the most bizarre moments of the 2006 season occurred when Ledezma started on September 8. After giving up five earned run
Earned run
In baseball, an earned run is any run for which the pitcher is held accountable . Any runner who tags his base and reaches home plate is scored against the pitcher as an earned run...
s in 4.1 innings, an obviously distressed Ledezma returned to the dugout and proceeded to dismantle and, literally, eat his hat.
Atlanta Braves
Ledezma was traded from the Tigers to the Atlanta BravesAtlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
for Macay McBride
Macay McBride
Joseph Macay McBride is a former Major League baseball relief pitcher.- High school :McBride attended Screven County High School in Sylvania, Georgia, and made his mark as a power pitcher with a fastball in the low 90s...
on June 20, 2007. On July 13, 2007, he was placed on the restricted list. He had gone home to Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
during the All-Star break, during which he accidentally damaged his visa
Visa (document)
A visa is a document showing that a person is authorized to enter the territory for which it was issued, subject to permission of an immigration official at the time of actual entry. The authorization may be a document, but more commonly it is a stamp endorsed in the applicant's passport...
and passport
Passport
A passport is a document, issued by a national government, which certifies, for the purpose of international travel, the identity and nationality of its holder. The elements of identity are name, date of birth, sex, and place of birth....
in the washing machine. The Braves activated him from the restricted list on July 19, 2007. Ledezma was designated for assignment
Designated for assignment
Designated for assignment is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball. When a player is designated for assignment, he is immediately removed from the club's 40-man roster. This gives the club 10 days to decide what to do with the player while freeing up a roster spot for another...
on July 29 by the Braves. He was 0-2 with a 7.71 ERA in 12 appearances for Atlanta.
San Diego Padres
On July 31, 2007, Ledezma was traded to the San Diego PadresSan Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
for reliever Royce Ring
Royce Ring
Roger Royce Ring is an American professional baseball pitcher.-Schools:Ring graduated from Monte Vista High School and attended San Diego State University where he was a star closer....
. He appeared in 9 games with the Padres, with an ERA of 6.28 and also appeared in 11 games for the AAA Portland Beavers
Portland Beavers
The Tucson Padres are a minor league baseball team, representing Tucson, Arizona, in the Pacific Coast League . They are the Triple-A affiliate for the San Diego Padres. The team was formerly known as the Portland Beavers and played its last home game at PGE Park on September 6, 2010...
, where his ERA was 4.41.
Arizona Diamondbacks
On August 29, 2008, Ledezma was claimed off waivers by the Arizona DiamondbacksArizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
and appeared in 3 games for them before he was non-tendered following the season, becoming a free agent.
Washington Nationals
In January 2009, he signed a minor league contract with the Washington NationalsWashington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
. He appeared in only 5 games for the Nationals, spending most of his time with the Syracuse Chiefs. He was released on July 6, 2009.
Toronto Blue Jays
Ledezma signed with the Toronto Blue JaysToronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
on August 5, 2009 and pitched in 8 games for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats
New Hampshire Fisher Cats
The New Hampshire Fisher Cats are a minor league baseball team based in Manchester, New Hampshire. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays major-league club....
and 3 for the Dunedin Blue Jays
Dunedin Blue Jays
The Dunedin Blue Jays are a minor league baseball team based in Dunedin, Florida. They play in the Florida State League, and are the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays Major League Baseball club...
but was never called up to the Majors. In October 2009, he was granted free agency.
Pittsburgh Pirates
On November 30, 2009, Ledezma signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
, with an invite to Spring Training.
On July 27, 2010, he was called up with Steven Jackson
Steven Jackson (baseball)
Steven Nash Jackson is an American Major League Baseball pitcher, who is in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. He is 6' 5", and throws right-handed.-Amateur Years:...
to replace Brad Lincoln
Brad Lincoln
Brad Eric Lincoln is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Pittsburgh Pirates.-Amateur career:...
and Brendan Donnelly
Brendan Donnelly
Brendan Kevin Donnelly is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. He bats and throws right-handed.-Career:Donnelly was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 27th round of the 1992 amateur draft...
. The Pirates designated Ledezma for assignment on December 24, 2010 to clear roster space after signing free agent pitcher Aaron Thompson
Aaron Thompson
Aaron M. Thompson is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball.-Early life:...
. He was in 27 games for the Pirates, with an 0-3 record and 6.86 ERA.
Toronto Blue Jays
On January 5, 2011, Ledezma was claimed off waivers by the Toronto Blue JaysToronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
. He began the 2011 season with the Triple-A Las Vegas 51s
Las Vegas 51s
The Las Vegas 51s, formerly known as the Las Vegas Stars, are a minor league baseball team. They are the Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. They play at Cashman Field in Las Vegas, Nevada. The team competes in the Pacific Coast League...
before having his contract purchased on July 23. Jo-Jo Reyes
Jo-Jo Reyes
Joseph Albert "Jo-Jo" Reyes is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles of Major League Baseball...
was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for Ledezma.
Following a 12-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
on August 28 (during which Ledezma pitched the ninth inning and surrendered 6 earned runs on five hits and 3 walks), Ledezma was designated for assignment. Brian Tallet
Brian Tallet
Brian Curtis Tallet is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He stands 6' 6" in height. Brian Tallet pitched for the LSU Tigers and won a national championship in 2000....
was called up to replace Ledezma. After the 2011 season, he elected for free agency.
Los Angeles Dodgers
In November 2011, he signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
that contained an invitation to spring training.