Carlos Carrasco
Carrasco with the Cleveland Indians in 2020
Free agent
Pitcher
Born: (1987-03-21) March 21, 1987
Barquisimeto, Venezuela
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
September 1, 2009, for the Cleveland Indians
MLB statistics
(through 2023 season)
Win–loss record107–93
Earned run average4.04
Strikeouts1,573
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Carlos Luis Carrasco (born March 21, 1987), nicknamed "Cookie", is a Venezuelan-American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut with the Cleveland Indians in 2009 and has also played for the New York Mets. Listed at 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m) and 224 pounds (102 kg),[1] he throws and bats right-handed.

Early life

Carrasco was born in 1987 in Barquisimeto, Venezuela.[2] By age 10 he was playing baseball, initially as a third baseman.[3] He was discovered by a baseball scout in Venezuela at age 16, and threw for Sal Agostinelli, international scouting director for the Philadelphia Phillies, demonstrating a 91 mph (146 km/h) fastball.[4] At a young age, Carrasco learned to throw left-handed, in addition to his natural right-handed delivery, but he does not consider himself ambidextrous.[3]

Career

Philadelphia Phillies

Carrasco was signed by the Phillies as an undrafted free agent on November 25, 2003. In 2006, Carrasco spent the entire season at the Single-A level with the Lakewood BlueClaws, compiling a 2.26 ERA in 159+1⁄3 innings pitched. He split time in 2007 between the Single-A Clearwater Threshers and the Double-A Reading Phillies. Carrasco compiled a 2.84 ERA in 69+2⁄3 innings pitched at Clearwater and a 4.86 ERA in 70+1⁄3 innings pitched with Reading. Carrasco threw his first no-hitter on August 21, 2007. He was on the World roster of the 2006,[5] 2007,[6] and 2008[7] All-Star Futures Games.

Entering the 2007 season, Carrasco was ranked as the top prospect in the Phillies organization[8][9] and the 41st-best prospect in baseball.[10] He was still ranked as the top prospect in the Phillies system entering 2008,[11] and was listed as having the organization's best fastball and changeup.

Cleveland Indians

On July 29, 2009, the Phillies traded Carrasco, along with Jason Donald, Lou Marson, and Jason Knapp to the Cleveland Indians for Cliff Lee and Ben Francisco.[12] Carrasco made his major league debut on September 1. In five starts with the Indians, he had a 0–4 record with 8.87 ERA. During the 2010 season, Carrasco had a 2–2 record and 3.83 ERA in seven starts for Cleveland.[13]

Carrasco pitching for the Indians in 2011

On July 29, 2011, against the Kansas City Royals, Carrasco surrendered a season-high 7 runs over 3+1⁄3 innings highlighted by a grand slam by outfielder Melky Cabrera. Carrasco took out his frustration by throwing a pitch at the head of Kansas City Royals' designated hitter Billy Butler. This resulted in his immediate ejection by home plate umpire Scott Barry. Because of this action, MLB suspended Carrasco for 6 games and levied an undisclosed fine.[14][15] According to Carrasco, the pitch was not intentional, but he was upset because Cabrera had admired his homer.[15] Carrasco made 21 starts for Cleveland, pitching to an 8–9 record with 4.62 ERA and striking out 86 batters in 124+2⁄3 innings. In September 2011, Carrasco underwent Tommy John surgery and eventually missed the entire 2012 season as a result.

On April 9, 2013, Carrasco made his first start since his Tommy John surgery and suspension. His season began with a rather poor outing against the New York Yankees during which he surrendered seven runs in 3+2⁄3 innings. After giving up a 2-run homer to Robinson Cano, on the next pitch Carrasco hit batter Kevin Youkilis. This resulted in Carrasco's ejection by home plate umpire Jordan Baker.[16] Major League Baseball eventually suspended Carrasco eight games and fined him $5,000 for "intentionally throwing" at Youkilis.[17][18] This punishment appeared to take into account Carrasco's history and past actions.[17] After the game, Indians manager Terry Francona said that Carrasco's actions "didn't look good."[19] On April 10, 2013, Carrasco was optioned to the Triple-A Columbus Clippers. Carrasco was recalled to the majors on June 8, and then sent back down to Triple-A on June 24. He was recalled on July 6, and then designated for assignment on July 7.[20] He was then optioned to Columbus on July 9. Carrasco's record for the 2013 season with Cleveland was 1–4 with a 6.75 ERA.

For the 2014 season, Carrasco appeared in 40 games for Cleveland (14 starts) and had an 8–7 record with 2.55 ERA while striking out 140 batters in 134 innings.

On April 7, 2015, Carrasco signed a 4-year extension worth $22 million that also includes club options for 2019 and 2020.[21] During a game against the Chicago White Sox on April 14, Carrasco was struck in the face by a line drive off the bat of Melky Cabrera. He left the game as he was carted off on a motor stretcher.[22][23] Carrasco had a bruise on his jaw while X-rays were negative.[24] On July 1, Carrasco took a no-hitter into the ninth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays, only to surrender a two-out, two-strike single to Joey Butler before retiring the side. It would have been the first no-hitter by an Indians pitcher since Len Barker's perfect game on May 15, 1981.[25] On July 19, Carrasco hit the first single of his major league career against the Cincinnati Reds' Johnny Cueto in the top of the second inning.[26] Carrasco went six innings giving up four hits and one earned run with a no decision.[26] In 30 starts during the 2015 season, Carrasco compiled a 14–12 record with a 3.63 ERA, and struck out 216 batters in 183+2⁄3 innings.

Carrasco made two trips to the disabled list in 2016, the second of which resulted from a line drive to his right hand on September 17 that fractured the fifth metacarpal bone. This injury forced Carrasco to miss the entire postseason.[27] Carrasco finished the 2016 season with an 11–8 record and 3.32 ERA in 25 starts, recording 150 strikeouts in 146+1⁄3 innings.

Carrasco with the Indians in 2017

In the fifth inning of a July 7, 2017, game against the Detroit Tigers, Carrasco pitched an immaculate inning, striking out the side on the minimum nine pitches. He became only the second pitcher in Indians history to do so, following Justin Masterson in 2014, and the 84th in Major League history.[28] Carrasco struck out 14 Minnesota Twins batters on September 28, in a 5–2 game to give Cleveland their 100th win of the season.[29] For the 2017 season, Carrasco was 18–6 with a 3.29 ERA, striking out 226 in 200 innings.

During 2018, Carrasco struck out 231 batters in 192 innings, pitching to a record of 17–10 with a 3.38 ERA. On December 6, 2018, Carrasco signed a contract extension through the 2022 season with a club option for the 2023 season.[30]

On June 5, 2019, Carrasco was placed on the 10-day injured list, with the team stating that he had been "diagnosed with a blood condition."[31] He subsequently spent the remainder of June on the injured list.[32] On July 6, 2019, Carrasco revealed that he had been diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia, a treatable form of leukemia.[33] On August 28, 2019, Carrasco was activated from the IL. On September 1, he made his first appearance since his diagnosis, pitching an inning in relief against the Tampa Bay Rays.[34] Carrasco was named the 2019 AL Comeback Player of the Year.[35]

With the 2020 Cleveland Indians, Carrasco appeared in 12 games, compiling a 3–4 record with 2.91 ERA and 82 strikeouts in 68 innings pitched.[1]

New York Mets

On January 7, 2021, the Indians traded Carrasco and Francisco Lindor to the New York Mets for Amed Rosario, Andrés Giménez, Josh Wolf, and Isaiah Greene.[36][37] During spring training, Carrasco tore his hamstring during a running drill and was expected be out for six to eight weeks.[38] As of late April, he was expected to join the Mets rotation in the second week of May.[39] On May 6, Carrasco was placed on the 60-day injured list as he continued to recover from the injury.[40]

He was activated by the Mets in late July, and made his first appearance with the team on July 30, receiving a no decision in a start against the Cincinnati Reds.[41] The first pitch Carrasco threw for the Mets was hit for a home run by Jonathan India.[42] Carrasco's first season with the Mets was described as "discouraging"[43] and "frustrating."[44] He finished the year with a 6.04 ERA in 12 starts.[45]

After the season, Carrasco revealed that he had been pitching with a bone fragment in his elbow which was repaired with surgery in October.[45] Carrasco began the 2022 season with a 4 - 1 record in his first eight appearances for the Mets. On July 30, 2022, he earned his 100th career win after a 4–0 shutout against the Miami Marlins.[46]

On November 10, 2022, the Mets exercised Carrasco's $14 million option for the 2023 season.[47] On August 29, 2023, Carrasco was placed on waivers by the Mets, but was not claimed and remained with the club.[48] He became a free agent following the season.

Personal life

Carrasco shared in a Players' Tribune article some rather unusual experiences during his early time in the United States. In his first spring training, he ate Domino's Pizza every day for 90 consecutive days, because "it was the only thing I knew how to order." Domino's awarded him one month of free pizza for being their "best customer." He added, he did little outside of baseball in his first few years in the U.S., including not speaking with his teammates. "Not because I didn’t want to, but because I didn’t know how." After being traded to the Indians, he dedicated his efforts to learning English. In August 2016, he became a US citizen.[49][50]

Carrasco has five children with his wife, Karelis.[51] In 2010, Carrasco and his daughter Camila, then four years old, visited children at a hospital, which inspired Camila to start to cut her hair with scissors to give to the cancer patients.[52]

Carrasco is heavily involved in community development and charity work; he has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars, time, and supplies to organizations located in his native Venezuela along with Colombia, the United States, Africa, and more. He was the 2019 recipient of the Roberto Clemente Award, given annually to an MLB player who "best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual's contribution to his team."[53][54]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Carlos Carrasco Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  2. ↑ Jackson, Felesia M. (March 31, 2013). "Carlos Carrasco: Cleveland Indians pitcher 2013". Cleveland.com. Cleveland: Advance Publications. Archived from the original on July 7, 2019. Retrieved July 7, 2019.
  3. 1 2 Ocker, Sheldon (August 5, 2011). "Tribe's Carrasco not bad as lefty". Akron Beacon Journal. p. C5. Retrieved February 6, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ Salisbury, Jim (March 16, 2005). "The Arms of Youth". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. E10. Retrieved February 6, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
  5. ↑ "2006 Futures Game Rosters". Baseball America. Durham, North Carolina: Baseball America Enterprises. June 21, 2006. Retrieved June 21, 2006.
  6. ↑ "Futures Game World Roster". Baseball America. Durham, North Carolina: Baseball America Enterprises. July 3, 2007. Retrieved July 3, 2007.
  7. ↑ "World Futures Game Roster". Baseball America. Durham, North Carolina: Baseball America Enterprises. July 11, 2008. Retrieved July 11, 2008.
  8. ↑ Sickels, John (December 18, 2006). "2007 Philadelphia Phillies Prospects". Minor League Ball. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  9. ↑ "Top 10 Prospects: Philadelphia Phillies". January 10, 2007. Archived from the original on March 25, 2009. Retrieved November 19, 2007.
  10. ↑ "1007 Top 100 Prospects". Baseball America. Durham, North Carolina: Baseball America Enterprises. February 28, 2007. Archived from the original on April 5, 2007. Retrieved February 28, 2007.
  11. ↑ "Top 10 Prospects: Philadelphia Phillies". Baseball America. Durham, North Carolina: Baseball America Enterprises. November 13, 2007. Archived from the original on August 27, 2009. Retrieved November 13, 2007.
  12. ↑ Hoynes, Paul (July 29, 2009). "Cleveland Indians trade Cliff Lee, Ben Francisco to Philadelphia Phillies for four prospects". Cleveand.com. Cleveland: Advance Publications. Archived from the original on July 6, 2019. Retrieved July 6, 2019.
  13. ↑ "Carlos Carrasco". Retrosheet. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
  14. ↑ Clarke, Patrick. "Carlos Carrasco Suspended 8 Games for Throwing at Yankees' Kevin Youkilis". Bleacher Report. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  15. 1 2 "Indians' Carrasco suspended six games, fined". ESPN.com. August 1, 2011. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  16. ↑ Bastian, Jordan (April 9, 2013). "After homer, Indians starter Carlos Carrasco ejected for plunking Kevin Youkilis". MLB.com. Manhattan: MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved April 10, 2013.
  17. 1 2 "Indians' Carrasco hit with 8-game suspension". ESPN.com. April 12, 2013. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  18. ↑ "Apologetic Indians pitcher ejected for hitting Kevin Youkilis". USA Today. McLean, Virginia: Gannett Company. Associated Press. April 10, 2013. Archived from the original on April 11, 2013. Retrieved April 12, 2013.
  19. ↑ "MLB: Indians pitcher Carlos Carrasco suspended again". The Toronto Star. April 12, 2013. ISSN 0319-0781. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  20. ↑ Emery, Mark (July 7, 2013). "Indians designate Carrasco, promote Guilmet". MLB.com. Manhattan: MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved July 7, 2013.
  21. ↑ Miesel, Zack (April 7, 2015). "Carrasco signs 4-year extension worth $22 million feat. club options for 2019 and 2020". Cleveand.com. Cleveland: Advance Publications. Retrieved April 7, 2015.
  22. ↑ "Indians pitcher Carlos Carrasco hit in face with liner". USA Today. McLean, Virginia: Gannett Company. Associated Press. April 14, 2015. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
  23. ↑ Hoynes, Paul. "Carrasco struck by line drive, leaves game". Cleveand.com. Cleveland: Advance Publications. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
  24. ↑ Sargent, Scott. "Carrasco treated for bruised jaw, X-rays negative". ABC News. New York City: ABC. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
  25. ↑ Gatto, Tom (July 1, 2015). "One strike away, Indians' Carlos Carrasco loses no-hitter in ninth inning vs. Rays". Sporting News. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
  26. 1 2 "Cleveland vs Cincinnati". ESPN.com. ESPN Inc. (The Walt Disney Company, 80% Hearst Corporation, 20%). July 19, 2015. Retrieved July 21, 2015.
  27. ↑ "Indians' Carlos Carrasco out for season with fractured bone in hand". Sports Illustrated. United States: Meredith Corporation. September 17, 2016. Retrieved July 8, 2017.
  28. ↑ Stats AP (July 7, 2017). "Carrasco has 'immaculate inning' as Indians roll Tigers 11−2". CBSsports.com. Retrieved July 8, 2017.
  29. ↑ Withers, Tom (September 28, 2017). "Carrasco strikes out 14; Indians beat Twins for 100th win". The News-Herald. Associated Press. Archived from the original on October 18, 2017. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  30. ↑ "Indians & RHP Carlos Carrasco agree to contract extension". Indians.com. December 6, 2018.
  31. ↑ "Indians Place RHP Carlos Carrasco on 10-Day Injured List". ESPN.com. United States: ESPN Internet Ventures. June 5, 2019.
  32. ↑ Noga, Joe (June 5, 2019). "Cleveland Indians place Carlos Carrasco on injured list after discovery of blood condition". Cleveand.com. Advance Publications. Archived from the original on June 6, 2019. Retrieved July 6, 2019.
  33. ↑ "Carlos Carrasco reveals he's battling leukemia". MLB.com. July 7, 2019. Archived from the original on July 6, 2019. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  34. ↑ Klemish, Dawn (September 1, 2019). "Carrasco receives standing ovation at Tropicana". MLB.com. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
  35. ↑ "Carrasco, Donaldson win MLB Comeback Player of Year awards". USA Today. December 4, 2019. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
  36. ↑ "Mets acquire four-time All-Star Francisco Lindor & RHP Carlos Carrasco from Cleveland". MLB.com. January 7, 2021. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  37. ↑ "Cleveland & New York Mets complete six-player trade". Indians.com. January 7, 2021.
  38. ↑ DiComo, Anthony (March 18, 2021). "Carrasco has torn hamstring, headed to IL". mlb.com. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
  39. ↑ "Mets' Carlos Carrasco on track to make season debut second week of May". CBS Sports. April 24, 2021. Retrieved April 27, 2021 – via MSN.com.
  40. ↑ "Mets Select Tommy Hunter, Transfer Carlos Carrasco To 60-Day IL". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  41. ↑ "Reds vs. Mets - Box Score". ESPN.com. July 30, 2021. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  42. ↑ Rieber, Anthony (July 30, 2021). "Carlos Carrasco shakes off first-pitch home run in Mets debut". Newsday. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  43. ↑ Zemek, Haley (October 3, 2021). "Carlos Carrasco Ends 2021 Campaign With Another Rough Outing". Metsmerized Online. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  44. ↑ Puma, Mike (September 26, 2021). "Mets clinch another losing season as Carlos Carrasco's maddening woes continue". New York Post. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  45. 1 2 DiComo, Anthony (October 20, 2020). "Carrasco has surgery, expected ready for ST". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  46. ↑ "Mets enter Deadline in unique position: with hot rotation". MLB.com. Retrieved July 31, 2022.
  47. ↑ "New York Mets Make Option Decisions on Carlos Carrasco, John Curtiss". si.com. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
  48. ↑ "MLB waiver claims: Yankees' Harrison Bader scooped up by Reds, Lucas Giolito lands back in AL Central". cbssports.com. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  49. ↑ Carrasco, Carlos (March 21, 2017). "The American dream". The Players' Tribune. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  50. ↑ Tsuji, Alysha (March 21, 2017). "Carlos Carrasco explains why he ate pizza for 90 days straight during his first spring training". USA Today. McLean, Virginia: Gannett Company. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  51. ↑ Glasier, David (June 5, 2019). "Wishing only the best for Carlos Carrasco, the man – Opinion". The News-Herald. Willoughby, Ohio: Digital First Media. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
  52. ↑ Meisel, Zack (October 25, 2019). "The inspirational tale behind Carlos Carrasco's humanitarian efforts". The Athletic. San Francisco: The Athletic Media Company. Archived from the original on October 26, 2019. Retrieved October 26, 2019.
  53. ↑ Cross, Ian (October 25, 2019). "Indians pitcher Carlos 'Cookie' Carrasco wins Roberto Clemente award". WEWS. Cleveland: E. W. Scripps Company. Archived from the original on October 25, 2019. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
  54. ↑ "Indians' Carlos Carrasco wins MLB's Roberto Clemente Award". WJW. Cleveland: Nexstar Media Group. Fox 8. October 25, 2019. Archived from the original on October 25, 2019. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
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