Jacob Steven Petricka (born June 5, 1988) is an American former professional baseball pitcher He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago White Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, Milwaukee Brewers, and Los Angeles Angels.

Jake Petricka
Petricka with the Chicago White Sox
Pitcher
Born: (1988-06-05) June 5, 1988 (age 36)
Northfield, Minnesota, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
August 22, 2013, for the Chicago White Sox
Last MLB appearance
September 21, 2021, for the Los Angeles Angels
MLB statistics
Win–loss record10–13
Earned run average4.24
Strikeouts183
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams

Career

edit

Chicago White Sox

edit

Petricka played college baseball at Iowa Western Community College from 2006 to 2008 and Indiana State University before he was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 2nd round of the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft. He started his career in 2010 with the Rookie Level Bristol White Sox and Single–A Kannapolis Intimidators. He finished the 2010 season with a combined record of 2–5 in 17 games (8 starts), 44 13 innings, 3.05 ERA, 38 hits, 15 walks and 48 strikeouts. In 2011, Petricka split time between Bristol, Kannapolis and High–A Winston-Salem Dash. He finished the 2011 season with a combined record of 7–8 in 23 games (22 starts), 113 13 innings, 3.65 ERA, 114 hits, 39 walks and 99 strikeouts.

Petricka suffered a back injury that forced him to miss time during the 2011 and struggle in 2012. In 2012, he started the season with Winston-Salem but was later promoted to Double-A Birmingham Barons. He finished the 2012 season with a combined record of 8–8 in 29 games (29 starts), 140 13 innings, 5.39 ERA, 156 hits, 81 walks and 111 strikeouts. Before the start of the 2013 season, he was ranked the White Sox #20 prospect.[1]

Petricka is no longer a starter, having been moved to the bullpen for the 2013 season. He started the season at Birmingham pitching 21 games (1 start) with a record of 3–0. In 39 13 innings of work at Birmingham, Petricka had a 2.06 ERA, 36 hits, 18 walks and 41 strikeouts. He was then promoted to the Triple-A Charlotte Knights.

The White Sox promoted Petricka on August 17, 2013.[2] On August 22, he made his Major League debut against the Kansas City Royals. He pitched two-thirds of an inning and earned his first career Major League victory during the 4–3 Sox win in 12 innings. He finished the 2013 season with a 3.26 ERA in 16 games. From 2014 to 2015, Petricka was a major asset for the White Sox' bullpen, posting an ERA of 2.96 and 3.62 respectively in each year. He also recorded 14 saves in 2014. On July 6, 2016, he was moved to the 60-day disabled list.

Toronto Blue Jays

edit

On February 8, 2018, Petricka signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays that included an invitation to spring training.[3] He was added to the 40-man roster and activated on May 4. He was optioned to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons the next day, and recalled again on May 8 when Roberto Osuna was placed on administrative leave.[4] Petricka split time between the Blue Jays bullpen and the Bisons, logging 45 23 innings for the Blue Jays in 41 appearances. On November 2, 2018, he cleared waivers and entered free agency.[5]

Milwaukee Brewers

edit

On January 12, 2019, Petricka signed with the Milwaukee Brewers.[6] He was designated for assignment on April 27, 2019, and outrighted on May 1.

Texas Rangers

edit

Petricka was traded to the Texas Rangers for cash considerations or a player to be named later on June 14, 2019.[7] In 24 relief outings for the Triple–A Nashville Sounds, he compiled a 5.06 ERA with 29 strikeouts and 4 saves. Petricka elected free agency following the season on November 4.[8]

Toronto Blue Jays (second stint)

edit

On February 7, 2020, Petricka signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. He did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[9] Petricka was released by the Blue Jays organization on September 9.[10]

High Point Rockers

edit

On March 16, 2021, Petricka signed with the High Point Rockers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.[11][12] He recorded one scoreless inning in his only appearance for High Point.

Los Angeles Angels

edit

On June 1, 2021, Petricka's contract was purchased by the Los Angeles Angels organization.[13][14] He was then assigned to the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees. After appearing in 19 games for Salt Lake, posting a 3.69 ERA with 32 strikeouts, Petricka's contract was selected by the Angels on August 25.[15] In 7 games for the Angels, he struggled to a 15.00 ERA with 8 strikeouts across 6 innings of work. On September 16, Petricka was designated for assignment following the activation of Alex Cobb from the injured list.[16] He was released by the organization on September 21.

Minnesota Twins

edit

On March 31, 2022, Petricka signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins.[17] In 21 appearances for the Triple–A St. Paul Saints, he compiled a 4.18 ERA with 22 strikeouts and 2 saves across 23 23 innings pitched. On July 29, Petricka was released by the Twins organization.[18]

References

edit
  1. ^ "White Sox 2013 Prospect Watch". Archived from the original on April 20, 2019. Retrieved August 19, 2013.
  2. ^ "White Sox place Troncoso on DL, call up Petricka - chicagotribune.com". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on August 18, 2013.
  3. ^ Nicholson-Smith, Ben (February 8, 2018). "Blue Jays agree to minor-league deal with reliever Jake Petricka". Sportsnet. Retrieved February 8, 2018.
  4. ^ "Fantasy Player News & Updates". MLB.com. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  5. ^ "Blue Jays create 40-man flexibility by clearing five pitchers off roster - Sportsnet.ca".
  6. ^ McCalvy, Adam (January 12, 2019). "Petricka joins Brewers' bullpen with 1-year deal". MLB.com. MLB. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
  7. ^ Todd, Jeff (June 14, 2019). "Rangers Acquire Jake Petricka". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved June 15, 2019.
  8. ^ Matt Eddy (November 7, 2019). "Minor League Free Agents 2019". Baseball America. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
  9. ^ "2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled". mlb.com. Retrieved June 8, 2024.
  10. ^ "Jays release P Petricka, add Martinez to pool". tsn.ca. September 11, 2020. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  11. ^ "High Point Rockers Find Closer in Jake Petricka - OurSports Central". March 16, 2021.
  12. ^ "Jake Petricka To Pitch For Atlantic League's High Point Rockers - MLB Trade Rumors". May 18, 2021.
  13. ^ "Atlantic League Professional Baseball: News".
  14. ^ "Angels Sign Jake Petricka To Minors Contract - MLB Trade Rumors". June 5, 2021.
  15. ^ "Angels Select Jake Petricka, Elvis Peguero - MLB Trade Rumors". August 25, 2021.
  16. ^ "Angels Designate Jake Petricka For Assignment". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved June 8, 2024.
  17. ^ Adams, Steve (March 31, 2022). "Twins Sign Jake Petricka To Minor League Deal". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  18. ^ "Jake Petricka: Let go by Twins". cbssports.com. Retrieved June 8, 2024.
edit