Andrew Albers
Albers with the Canadian national team at the 2015 WBSC Premier12
Pitcher
Born: (1985-10-06) October 6, 1985
North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada
Batted: Right
Threw: Left
Professional debut
MLB: August 6, 2013, for the Minnesota Twins
KBO: April 2, 2014, for the Hanwha Eagles
NPB: April 4, 2018, for the Orix Buffaloes
Last appearance
MLB: September 15, 2021, for the Minnesota Twins
KBO: October 17, 2014, for the Hanwha Eagles
NPB: October 30, 2020, for the Orix Buffaloes
MLB statistics
Win–loss record8–8
Earned run average4.58
Strikeouts91
KBO statistics
Win–loss record6–13
Earned run average5.89
Strikeouts107
NPB statistics
Win–loss record15–16
Earned run average4.02
Strikeouts194
Teams
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Men's baseball
Representing  Canada
Baseball World Cup
Bronze medal – third place 2011 Panama City Team
Pan American Games
Gold medal – first place 2011 Guadalajara Team
Gold medal – first place 2015 Toronto Team

Andrew William Albers (born October 6, 1985) is a Canadian former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays, Minnesota Twins, and Seattle Mariners, as well as in the KBO League for the Hanwha Eagles and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Orix Buffaloes. Prior to beginning his professional career, he played college baseball at the University of Kentucky. Albers has also competed for the Canadian national baseball team.

Professional career

Albers went to high school at John Paul II Collegiate. He was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 12th round (346th overall) of the 2004 Major League Baseball draft, but did not sign. Albers enrolled at the University of Kentucky, where he played college baseball for the Kentucky Wildcats baseball team in the Southeastern Conference of the NCAA Division I. At Kentucky, Albers pitched in 81 games (fifth most in Wildcats history), recording 20 wins (fourth most in Wildcats history), and 12 saves (third most in Wildcats history).[1]

San Diego Padres

The San Diego Padres selected Albers in the 10th round (315th overall) of the 2008 Major League Baseball draft. After signing with the Padres, Albers made his professional debut with the Arizona League Padres of the Rookie-level Arizona League, making five appearances.[1] Albers missed the 2009 season after tearing an ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow during spring training, which required Tommy John surgery.[1][2]

Quebec Capitales

The Padres released Albers, and he pitched for the Québec Capitales of the independent Can-Am Association in 2010. With Québec, Albers had a 3–0 win–loss record, 17 saves and a 1.40 earned run average (ERA).[1]

Minnesota Twins

Albers tried out for teams in Arizona during spring training in 2011, and drove to Florida to try out for the Minnesota Twins.[3] The Twins signed Albers to a minor league contract, and he pitched for the Fort Myers Miracle of the Class-A Advanced Florida State League and New Britain Rock Cats of the Double-A Eastern League in 2011.[1]

Albers played for the Canadian national baseball team.[4] In 2011, he participated in the 2011 Baseball World Cup,[5] winning the bronze medal, and the Pan American Games, winning the gold medal.[6] Albers pitched 6+2⁄3 innings in the gold medal game. Along with his teammates, Albers was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2012.[1] Albers was also named Saskatchewan's male athlete of the year.[2]

Albers was called up by the Twins on August 3, 2013, to replace fellow Canadian Scott Diamond, who was optioned to Triple-A. At the time of his call-up, Albers had posted a record of 11–5 and a 2.86 ERA with the Rochester Red Wings, with an International League-leading 116 strikeouts.[7]

On August 6, 2013, Albers made his MLB debut and earned the win, pitching 81⁄3 scoreless innings against the Kansas City Royals and yielding just 4 hits and 1 walk while striking out 2.[8] In his second career start on August 12, Albers threw his first complete game and shutout, defeating the Cleveland Indians 3–0. Albers gave up 2 hits, no walks, and struck out 2 batters.[9] In 2013, Albers posted a 6–13 record with a 5.89 ERA.[10]

Hanwha Eagles

On January 30, 2014, the Twins released Albers, allowing him to sign with the Hanwha Eagles of the Korea Baseball Organization.[11]

On April 2, 2014, Albers made his KBO debut. The Eagles declined Albers' option for 2015, making him a free agent.[12]

Toronto Blue Jays

On December 16, 2014, Albers signed a minor-league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays that included an invitation to spring training.[10] He did not make the team, and was assigned to the Buffalo Bisons, their Triple-A affiliate.

In 2015, Albers was the Opening Day starter for Buffalo.[13] Albers had his contract purchased by the Blue Jays on May 1, after Daniel Norris was optioned to Buffalo and Maicer Izturis was moved to the 60-day disabled list.[14] After pitching in one game, he was optioned back to Buffalo on May 2. Albers elected free agency on November 6.[15]

Lancaster Barnstormers

On March 3, 2016, Albers signed with the Lancaster Barnstormers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.[16]

Minnesota Twins (second stint)

On April 27, 2016, Albers signed a minor league deal with the Minnesota Twins. On August 11, Albers was brought up to the Twins from the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings.[17] Pitching against the Houston Astros the same day, he made the longest relief appearance of any major league reliever in 2016 by both number of innings pitched (6) and pitches thrown (108).[18][19] He was optioned back on August 14, and recalled on August 26. He was assigned outright to Rochester on October 17.[20] He elected free agency on October 18.[21]

Atlanta Braves

In December 2016, Albers signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves.[22] He went 12–3 with a 2.61 ERA and 115 strikeouts for the Triple-A Gwinnett Braves of the International League.[23]

Seattle Mariners

On August 11, 2017, Albers was traded to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for cash considerations.[24][25] After pitching well in several starts, he was moved to the bullpen to allow pitchers who had recovered from their injuries rejoin the starting rotation. He logged his first career save on September 25, 2017.[26] On December 18, 2017, the Mariners released Albers to pursue an opportunity in Japan.[27]

Orix Buffaloes

On December 21, 2017, he signed a one-year, $900,000 contract[28] with the Orix Buffaloes of the Nippon Professional Baseball(NPB).[29]

On April 4, 2018, Albers made his NPB debut. He was selected for the 2018 NPB All-Star game.[30]

On December 20, 2019, Albers signed a 1-year extension to remain with the Buffaloes.[31]

On December 2, 2020, he became a free agent.[32]

Minnesota Twins (third stint)

On February 8, 2021, Albers signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins,[33] that also included an invitation to Spring Training, marking his third stint with the organization.[34] After posting a 3.86 ERA with 78 strikeouts through 16 appearances with the Triple-A St. Paul Saints, the Twins selected Albers' contract on August 19.[35] That night, Albers made his first Major League appearance in four years in a game against the New York Yankees.[36] Albers made 5 appearances for the Twins, going 1–2 with a 7.58 ERA and 12 strikeouts. Albers was outrighted off of the 40-man roster on October 8.[37] On October 14, Albers elected free agency.[38]

Seattle Mariners (second stint)

On March 21, 2022, Albers signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners.[39] He elected free agency on October 14.

International career

Albers participated in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.[40]

Coaching career

On September 15, 2023, Albers was hired to serve as the pitching coach for the Saskatoon Berries of the Western Canadian Baseball League.[41]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Albers, Bisson Voted to Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame – Kentucky Wildcats Official Athletic Site". Ukathletics.com. February 9, 2012. Archived from the original on May 31, 2012. Retrieved August 8, 2013.
  2. 1 2 Albers, Christ, Holland take home honours
  3. ↑ "Kentucky baseball product Andrew Albers shines in unlikely MLB debut | The Courier-Journal". courier-journal.com. Retrieved August 8, 2013.
  4. ↑ nurun.com. "Molina gives Jays walk-off win | Bob Elliott | Columnists | Sports | London Free Press". Lfpress.com. Retrieved August 8, 2013.
  5. ↑ WATCH NOW: Live cricket – Canada vs. UAE Game 2 (October 9, 2011). "Canada advances at IBAF World Cup". sportsnet.ca. Archived from the original on January 15, 2012. Retrieved August 8, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  6. ↑ nurun.com (January 30, 2012). "Canada golden on baseball's world stage | Bob Elliott | Columnists | Sports | London Free Press". Lfpress.com. Archived from the original on April 24, 2016. Retrieved August 8, 2013.
  7. ↑ "Twins to call up Canadian southpaw Andrew Albers from triple-A Rochester". The Globe and Mail. August 3, 2013. Retrieved August 3, 2013.
  8. ↑ "Albers pitches into ninth as Twins rout Royals". Sportsnet. August 6, 2013. Retrieved August 7, 2013.
  9. ↑ "Canada's Albers pitches two-hit shutout as Twins beat Indians". TSN.ca. August 12, 2013. Retrieved August 12, 2013.
  10. 1 2 Mello, Igor (December 16, 2014). "Report: Andrew Albers signs with Blue Jays". fantasynews.cbssports.com. Retrieved December 17, 2014.
  11. ↑ Bollinger, Rhett (January 30, 2014). "Released by Twins, Albers to sign with Korean team". MLB.com. Retrieved September 9, 2015.
  12. ↑ Nicholson-Smith, Ben (November 30, 2014). "Canadian left-hander Albers hits free agency". sportsnet.ca. Retrieved November 30, 2014.
  13. ↑ Beauchemin, Craig (April 8, 2015). "Andrew Albers named Opening Day starter for AAA Buffalo". newsoptimist.ca. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
  14. ↑ Nicholson-Smith, Ben (May 1, 2015). "Blue Jays option Norris to triple-A Buffalo". Sportsnet. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
  15. ↑ "International League Transactions". milb.com. p. November 2015. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  16. ↑ "Barnstormers Nab Two Big League Lefties". oursportscentral.com. March 3, 2016. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
  17. ↑ "Twins place reliever Boshers on DL, promote Albers". August 11, 2016. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  18. ↑ "Pitching Game Finder:For 2016, as Reliever, (requiring IPouts>=15)". Retrieved August 10, 2017.
  19. ↑ "Pitching Game Finder:For 2016, as Reliever, (requiring Pitches>=100)". Retrieved August 10, 2017.
  20. ↑ "Twins' Andrew Albers: Outrighted to Triple-A on Monday". October 17, 2016. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
  21. ↑ "International League Transactions – Rochester Red Wings Stats". Rochester Red Wings.
  22. ↑ Eddy, Matt (December 24, 2016). "Minor League Transactions: Dec. 10–22". baseballamerica.com. Archived from the original on June 2, 2017. Retrieved December 24, 2016.
  23. ↑ "Andrew Albers Minor, Independent, Korean & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 11, 2017.
  24. ↑ "Mariners' Andrew Albers: Dealt to Mariners". cbssports.com. August 11, 2017. Retrieved August 11, 2017.
  25. ↑ O'Brien, David (August 11, 2017). "Braves trade veteran lefty Albers to Mariners". ajc.com. Retrieved August 11, 2017.
  26. ↑ "Andrew Albers 2017 Pitching Game Logs". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
  27. ↑ "Mariners release LHP Albers so he can pitch in Japan". December 18, 2017.
  28. ↑ "オリックス、新外国人左腕・アルバースの獲得を発表". sanspo.com (in Japanese). December 21, 2017. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
  29. ↑ "新外国人選手獲得のお知らせ". オリックスバファローズ公式サイト (in Japanese). December 21, 2019. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
  30. ↑ "マイナビオールスターゲーム2018 出場者". NPB.jp 日本野球機構 (in Japanese). August 13, 2018.
  31. ↑ "外国人選手契約締結のお知らせ". オリックスバファローズ 公式サイト (in Japanese). December 20, 2019. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
  32. ↑ "2020年度 自由契約選手". NPB.jp 日本野球機構 (in Japanese). Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  33. ↑ "Transactions February 2021". MLB.com. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  34. ↑ "Minor MLB Transactions: 2/8/21". February 8, 2021.
  35. ↑ "Twins Select Andrew Albers, Kyle Barraclough". August 19, 2021.
  36. ↑ "Box Score: Yankees 7, Twins 5". MLB.com. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  37. ↑ "Veteran RHP Kyle Barraclough among six players outrighted by Twins". October 8, 2021.
  38. ↑ "Players Recently Electing Free Agency". MLB Trade Rumors. October 16, 2021. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  39. ↑ Adams, Steve (March 21, 2022). "Mariners, Andrew Albers Agree To Minor League Deal". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  40. ↑ "Sports This Week: Andrew Albers: From Sask. To World Baseball Classic". March 11, 2023.
  41. ↑ "Albers joins Saskatoon Berries as pitching coach". battlefordsnow.com. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
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