Roberto Osuna
Osuna with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks.
Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks – No. 54
Pitcher
Born: (1995-02-07) February 7, 1995
Juan José Ríos, Sinaloa, Mexico
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Professional debut
MLB: April 8, 2015, for the Toronto Blue Jays
NPB: June 24, 2022, for the Chiba Lotte Marines
MLB statistics
(through 2020 season)
Win–loss record14–18
Earned run average2.74
Strikeouts348
Saves155
NPB statistics
(through 2023 season)
Win–loss record7-3
Earned run average0.92
Strikeouts74
Saves36
Teams
Career highlights and awards
MLB

NPB

Roberto Osuna Quintero Jr. (born February 7, 1995) is a Mexican professional baseball pitcher for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays and Houston Astros.

Osuna was signed by the Blue Jays out of Mexico as a 16-year-old. He made his major league debut in 2015 at 20 years old, becoming the youngest pitcher in Blue Jays history and the first player born in 1995 to play in MLB.[1] Osuna was named an All-Star in 2017. In April 2018, he became the youngest pitcher in MLB history to record 100 saves (23 years, 62 days).

A month later, Osuna was arrested for domestic violence and suspended for 75 games by MLB soon after. During his suspension, the Astros acquired him via trade. He led the American League with 38 saves the next season. In 2020, Osuna suffered an elbow injury and the Astros released him after the season. He has played overseas since.

Early life

Osuna was born in Juan José Ríos, Sinaloa, Mexico.[2] At age 11 he dropped out of school to pick vegetables to help support his family.[3] When he was 16 years old the Toronto Blue Jays signed him with a $1.5 million signing bonus.[3]

Professional career

Minor leagues

Osuna made his professional baseball debut with the Diablos Rojos del México of the Mexican League in 2011. In 13 appearances totaling 192⁄3 innings, he pitched to a 0–1 record, 5.49 earned run average (ERA), and 12 strikeouts.[4]

In August 2011, Osuna was acquired by the Blue Jays for $1.5 million.[5] He began the 2012 season with the Bluefield Blue Jays of the Appalachian League, but was promoted to the Vancouver Canadians of the Northwest League after posting a 1–0 record with a 1.50 earned run average in seven appearances (four starts).[4] He made his Canadians debut on July 28, 2012, striking out a franchise-record 13 batters over five innings pitched.[6][7] In total, Osuna pitched 432⁄3 innings in 2012, and posted a 2–0 record, 2.27 ERA, and 49 strikeouts.[4]

On January 29, 2013, Osuna was ranked 90th on MLB's Top 100 Prospects list.[8] He started the 2013 season with the Class-A Lansing Lugnuts of the Midwest League. On May 9, 2013, it was announced that Osuna had torn his ulnar collateral ligament, an injury that usually requires Tommy John surgery.[9][10] He met with Dr. James Andrews, and was advised to rest and rehab the injury, rather than undergo surgery. Osuna returned from the disabled list on June 9, and pitched five shutout innings for Lansing.[11] Despite his attempt to rehab his elbow, Osuna underwent Tommy John surgery in late June.[12] On July 26, he was ranked 58th on MLB's revised Top 100 Prospects list, and the number two prospect in the Blue Jays organization.[13][14]

Osuna made his first rehab appearance since the procedure on July 8, 2014, and pitched one inning for the Gulf Coast League Blue Jays.[15] He was then promoted to the High-A Dunedin Blue Jays and made seven starts before the end of the season, posting a 0–2 record, a 6.55 ERA, and 30 strikeouts in 22 innings pitched.[4] In the 2015 preseason prospect rankings, he was named the number six prospect in the Blue Jays organization by MLB.[16]

Toronto Blue Jays

2015

Osuna celebrates his 20th save of the 2015 season with Russell Martin

Osuna was invited to spring training in 2015 as a non-roster invitee.[17] While initially not expecting to have any chance at making the major league team out of camp, Osuna impressed Blue Jays management through the first half of the spring. On March 22, he started a game against the Tampa Bay Rays and pitched 32⁄3 scoreless innings.[18][19] After Steve Delabar was optioned to minor league camp on March 26, it was reported that Osuna would likely make the Opening Day roster as a reliever.[20] His position on the roster was confirmed on March 31.[21][22]

Osuna made his Major League debut in a game against the New York Yankees on April 8, 2015, striking out Alex Rodriguez and getting Stephen Drew to flyout.[23] In making his debut, Osuna became the youngest pitcher to appear in a Major League game for Toronto, at 20 years and 60 days old.[1] Through the first month of the season, Osuna became the most reliable arm in the bullpen for the Blue Jays, posting a 1.38 ERA through his first 10 appearances.[24] He earned his first win on May 18, pitching 12⁄3 scoreless innings in a 10–6 victory over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. In doing so, Osuna became the youngest pitcher to earn a win for the Blue Jays, at 20 years and 100 days old.[25] He earned his first career save on June 22, closing out an 8–5 win over the Tampa Bay Rays.[26] On August 7, Osuna became the youngest player in MLB history to record an extra-innings save, when he closed out a 2–1 win over the New York Yankees in the tenth inning.[27] Osuna finished the 2015 regular season with a 1–6 record, 20 saves, 2.58 ERA, and 75 strikeouts in 692⁄3 innings pitched, and was the youngest player in the AL.[28]

In the 2015 American League Division Series, Osuna recorded a five-out save in the fifth and final game, and in doing so became the youngest pitcher in American League history to record a save in the postseason, as well as the second-youngest to do so in MLB history, behind Don Gullett in 1970.[29] Osuna pitched in 4 of the 5 ALDS games, and did not allow a baserunner in 52⁄3 innings pitched.[28] He finished fourth in American League Rookie of the Year, receiving two second-place votes and two third-place votes.[30]

2016

During the offseason, the Blue Jays acquired reliever Drew Storen, who had been the Washington Nationals' closer for part of the 2015 season. After a competition between Osuna and Storen for the closer's role in spring training, manager John Gibbons announced on March 30 that Osuna would begin the season as the Blue Jays closer.[31] He earned his first save of the season on April 3 (Opening Day), sealing a 5–3 win for Marcus Stroman. At the age of 21 years, 56 days, he became the youngest pitcher in MLB history to record an Opening Day save.[32] On August 13, Osuna closed out a 4–2 win over the Houston Astros to earn the 46th save of his career, which tied the mark set by Terry Forster for saves recorded before the age of 22.[33] He would break the tie with Forster on August 17, saving a 7–4 win over the New York Yankees.[34] Osuna earned his 30th save of the 2016 season on September 4, becoming the 11th pitcher in franchise history to record 30 saves in a season. The save was also the 50th of his career, making him the youngest pitcher in MLB history to reach 50 saves.[35]

Osuna finished the 2016 regular season with a 4–3 record, 2.68 ERA, 82 strikeouts, and 36 saves (6th in the AL) in 74 innings pitched over 72 games (4th) as he finished 61 games (2nd) and was the 4th-youngest player in the AL.[28] In the postseason, he added nine innings and did not allow a run. He also earned his first career postseason win, pitching two perfect innings in the Blue Jays' decisive Game 3 victory of the ALDS[28]

On December 5, 2016, Osuna committed to play for Team Mexico at the 2017 World Baseball Classic.[36]

2017

Osuna was diagnosed with a cervical spasm late in spring training and started the 2017 season on the 10-day disabled list.[37] On June 24, it was revealed that Osuna was dealing with an anxiety issue. To that point in the season, he had recorded 19 saves and a 2.48 ERA, and had become the youngest player in MLB history to reach 75 career saves.[38] Osuna made his return to the mound the following day, pitching the final inning of the Blue Jays' 8–2 victory over the Kansas City Royals.[39] On July 7, Osuna was added to the American League roster for the 2017 Major League Baseball All-Star Game.[40] Osuna earned his 35th save of the season on August 31, and in doing so, became the first player in franchise history to have back-to-back seasons with at least 35 saves.[41] He finished the season with 39 saves (2nd in the AL) and a 3–4 record, 3.38 ERA, and 83 strikeouts in 64 innings (11.7 per 9 innings) as he finished 58 games (2nd).[28] However, he led the majors in blown saves, with 10.[42]

2018

Osuna was unable to come to an agreement on a contract with the Blue Jays for 2018, leading to salary arbitration. On February 3, he lost his case with the Blue Jays and was signed to a one-year, $5.3 million contract.[43] Osuna recorded his 100th career save in Toronto's 2–1 win over the Baltimore Orioles on April 10. In doing so, he became the youngest pitcher in MLB history to reach 100 saves.[44] On June 22, Osuna was suspended for 75 games, retroactive to May 8, due to violating the league's policy on domestic assault.[45]

Houston Astros

Osuna with the Houston Astros in 2019

On July 30, 2018, the Blue Jays traded Osuna to the Houston Astros for pitchers Ken Giles, Héctor Pérez, and David Paulino.[46] The Astros reinstated him to their active roster on August 5.[47] He was loudly booed in his first appearance in Toronto as a member of the Astros.[48] In 2018, between the two teams he was 2–2 with 21 saves and a 2.37 ERA.[49]

In 2019, Osuna led the American League with 38 saves and 56 games finished. He also recorded a 2.63 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 65 innings.[50] His 154 career saves at season's end were 10th-most among all active pitchers.[51]

On August 4, 2020, it was announced that Osuna was recommended to need Tommy John surgery.[52] However, Osuna opted not to have the surgery and take the rest-and-rehab route instead.[53] On October 29, 2020, Osuna was placed on outright waivers by the Astros and became a free agent. He was scheduled to have made roughly $10 million in arbitration in 2021.[54]

On March 12, 2021, Osuna held a showcase for interested teams in the Dominican Republic.[55]

Diablos Rojos del México (second stint)

On May 11, 2021, Osuna signed with the Diablos Rojos del México of the Mexican League.[56] He finished the season with a 3–0 record, 1.09 ERA, and 12 saves over 24.2 innings pitched. In 2022, Osuna registered a 2–0 record with a 1.35 ERA and 6 saves over 13.1 innings. On May 31, 2022, Osuna was placed on the reserve list in order to pursue an opportunity in Asia.

Chiba Lotte Marines

Osuna with the Chiba Lotte Marines.

On June 9, 2022, Osuna signed with the Chiba Lotte Marines of Nippon Professional Baseball.[57] In 2022 season, he finished the regular season with a 29 Games pitched, a 4-1 Win–loss record, a 0.91 ERA, a 9 holds, a 10 saves, and a 32 strikeouts in 292⁄3 innings.

Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks

On December 8, 2022, Osuna signed with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks.[58] In 49 games for the Hawks in 2023, Osuna pitched to an excellent 0.92 ERA with 42 strikeouts across 49.0 innings of work.

In 2023 season, he finished the regular season with a 49 Games pitched, a 3-2 Win–loss record, a 0.92 ERA, a 12 holds, a 26 saves, and a 42 strikeouts in 49 innings.

On November 11, 2023, Osuna re–signed with Fukuoka on a 4–year, $26.4 million contract.[59]

Personal life

Osuna exits the Old City Hall courthouse in Toronto.

At the age of 12, Osuna quit school to help support his family,[60] picking vegetables with his father, also named Roberto, who pitched in the Mexican League for 22 seasons and taught him to pitch while instructing him after the workday.[61][62] Osuna's uncle, Antonio, pitched in Major League Baseball for 11 seasons, mostly with the Los Angeles Dodgers.[63]

Osuna has a daughter, born in September 2017.[64]

On May 8, 2018, Osuna was arrested by Toronto police and charged with assault. He allegedly assaulted Alejandra Roman Cota, the mother of his 3-year-old son. Roman Cota was visiting Toronto with their child. She returned to Mexico shortly afterward and refused to return to Toronto. Due to Roman Cota's refusal to testify, the prosecution withdrew the charge against Osuna in exchange for a peace bond, mandating that for one year he not have contact with the alleged victim without her consent.[48][65] According to Toronto police sources Roman Cota expressed her intention to resume contact with Osuna.[66] He was placed on administrative leave by MLB commissioner Rob Manfred.[67]

On June 22, 2018, he received a 75-game suspension without pay for violating the league's domestic violence policy, retroactive to May 8.[68]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Fidlin, Ken (April 8, 2015). "Blue Jays manager John Gibbons sees value in young reliever Roberto Osuna". torontosun.com. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
  2. ↑ "Roberto Osuna Baseball Stats by Baseball Almanac". Baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
  3. 1 2 By mhatter106@mhatter106 May 3, 2019, 8:00am CDT (May 3, 2019). "Homecoming: Roberto Osuna Returns to Mexico a Tarnished Star". The Crawfish Boxes. Retrieved October 24, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Roberto Osuna Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  5. ↑ Matte, Kyle (August 11, 2012). "The Upheaval of Roberto Osuna". JaysJournal.com. Retrieved August 24, 2012.
  6. ↑ "Sweet 17! Roberto Osuna Stellar in Vancouver Canadians Debut". BlueBirdBanter.com. July 29, 2012. Retrieved August 24, 2012.
  7. ↑ Badler, Ben (July 28, 2012). "Roberto Osuna Strikes Out 13 In Northwest League Debut". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  8. ↑ Fordin, Spencer (January 29, 2013). "Sanchez, Osuna named to Top 100 Prospects list". MLB.com. Archived from the original on January 31, 2013. Retrieved January 30, 2013.
  9. ↑ Chisholm, Gregor (May 10, 2013). "Prospect Osuna may need Tommy John surgery". MLB.com. Retrieved May 10, 2013.
  10. ↑ "Roberto Osuna has torn UCL in right elbow, may require Tommy John surgery". BlueBirdBanter.com. May 9, 2013. Retrieved May 10, 2013.
  11. ↑ Chisholm, Gregor; Cahill, Teddy (June 10, 2013). "Top prospect Osuna returns from disabled list". MLB.com. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
  12. ↑ Torres Bujanda, Carlos (November 4, 2014). "Highly touted Blue Jays prospect Roberto Osuna bounces back from Tommy John surgery". thestar.com. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  13. ↑ Chisholm, Gregor (July 26, 2013). "Pitching remains strength in Blue Jays system". MLB.com. Archived from the original on December 14, 2013. Retrieved July 26, 2013.
  14. ↑ Mayo, Jonathan (July 26, 2013). "2013 Prospect Watch". MLB.com. Retrieved July 26, 2013.
  15. ↑ Cahill, Teddy (July 8, 2014). "Toronto's No.2 prospect returns from TJ surgery". MLB.com. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
  16. ↑ "MLB 2015 Prospect Watch". MLB.com. Archived from the original on June 14, 2021. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  17. ↑ Dakers, Tom (February 21, 2015). "Your quick guide to Blue Jays pitchers coming to spring training". bluebirdbanter.com. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  18. ↑ Chisholm, Gregor (March 22, 2015). "Osuna, Castro showing promise with scoreless spring". MLB.com. Archived from the original on March 25, 2015. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  19. ↑ "Young pitching dazzles in Blue Jays' win vs Rays". Sportsnet. March 22, 2015. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  20. ↑ Chisholm, Gregor (March 26, 2015). "Castro, Osuna likely to make team". MLB.com. Archived from the original on March 28, 2015. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  21. ↑ Chisholm, Gregor (April 1, 2015). "Blue Jays prospects Castro, Osuna earn bullpen spots". MLB.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved April 1, 2015.
  22. ↑ Nicholson-Smith, Ben (March 31, 2015). "Jays to open season with Castro, Osuna in bullpen". Sportsnet. Retrieved March 31, 2015.
  23. ↑ Davidi, Shi (April 8, 2015). "Questions surface around Jays' bullpen in loss". Sportsnet. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
  24. ↑ Elliott, Bob (May 3, 2015). "Having too many rookies hurt the Jays". torontosun.com. Retrieved May 3, 2015.
  25. ↑ Wilner, Mike (May 18, 2015). "Blue Jays' outburst covers up another tough start". Sportsnet. Retrieved May 19, 2015.
  26. ↑ "Blue Jays lean on HRs, Osuna in win over Rays". Sportsnet. June 22, 2015. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
  27. ↑ "Sportsnet Stats on Twitter". Twitter. August 7, 2015. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
  28. 1 2 3 4 5 "Roberto Osuna Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
  29. ↑ Ross, Jamie (October 14, 2015). "Youth is served: Blue Jays arms come up big". MLB.com. Archived from the original on October 17, 2015. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
  30. ↑ "2015 AL Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year". bbwaa.com. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  31. ↑ Davidi, Shi (March 30, 2016). "Roberto Osuna named closer as Blue Jays reveal opening day roster". Sportsnet. Retrieved March 30, 2016.
  32. ↑ Allison, Alexis (April 3, 2016). "Marcus Stroman shines, Blue Jays offence picks up where it left off". cbc.ca. Retrieved April 4, 2016.
  33. ↑ Nicholson-Smith, Ben (August 13, 2016). "Martin impresses on defence, at plate as Blue Jays rebound vs. Astros". Sportsnet. Retrieved August 13, 2016.
  34. ↑ Suss, Nick; Chisholm, Gregor (August 17, 2016). "Happ's MLB-best 17th win spurs Blue Jays". MLB.com. Archived from the original on August 18, 2016. Retrieved August 18, 2016.
  35. ↑ Kennedy, Brendan (September 4, 2016). "Blue Jays' Joaquin Benoit reaches 1,000 K milestone". thestar.com. Retrieved September 4, 2016.
  36. ↑ Thornburg, Chad (December 5, 2016). "Star power: 30 players confirmed for Classic". MLB.com. Retrieved December 5, 2016.
  37. ↑ Griffin, Richard (April 2, 2017). "Jays release Upton, disable Osuna on eve of opener". Toronto Star. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
  38. ↑ "Roberto Osuna dealing with anxiety issue". ESPN.com. June 24, 2017. Retrieved June 24, 2017.
  39. ↑ "Roberto Osuna back on mound, finishes off Toronto's win over KC". Sportsnet. June 25, 2017. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
  40. ↑ "Blue Jays closer Roberto Osuna named to AL all-Star team". Sportsnet. July 7, 2017. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  41. ↑ Johnston, Mike (September 1, 2017). "Roberto Osuna makes more Blue Jays history with save against Orioles". Sportsnet. Retrieved September 1, 2017.
  42. ↑ Major League Leaderboards » 2017 » Pitchers » Standard Statistics | FanGraphs Baseball
  43. ↑ Hoad, Michael (February 3, 2018). "Report: Osuna loses arbitration case with Blue Jays". Sportsnet. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
  44. ↑ "Sanchez loses no-hitter late, Granderson lifts Jays over O's". Sportsnet. April 10, 2018. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  45. ↑ "Roberto Osuna suspended unpaid for 75 games". MLB. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
  46. ↑ Kelly, Matt (July 30, 2018). "Astros acquire Osuna from Blue Jays". MLB.com. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
  47. ↑ AXSON, SCOOBY (August 5, 2018). "Astros have reinstated reliever Roberto Osuna". Sports Illustrated. Time Inc. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
  48. 1 2 "Roberto Osuna won't be tried for assault charge". Usatoday.com. September 25, 2018. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
  49. ↑ "Roberto Osuna Stats". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
  50. ↑ "Roberto Osuna Stats". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 11, 2019.
  51. ↑ "Roberto Osuna Stats". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
  52. ↑ "Roberto Osuna May Require Tommy John Surgery".
  53. ↑ "Injury Notes: Osuna, Meadows, Brewers". October 2020.
  54. ↑ "Astros Place Roberto Osuna on Outright Waivers". October 29, 2020.
  55. ↑ "Pitching Notes: Payamps, Mata, Osuna". March 6, 2021.
  56. ↑ @DiablosRojosMX (May 11, 2021). "¡Bienvenido de nuevo a tu casa, Roberto! La organización escarlata está feliz de anunciar a un nuevo refuerzo para la temporada 2021 ⚾ @RobertoOsuna1 defenderá una vez más los colores más bonitos de México #Vamo8D1ablos #NoHayExcusas" (Tweet). Retrieved May 11, 2021 – via Twitter.
  57. ↑ "オスナ投手 入団について". www.marines.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved June 9, 2022.
  58. ↑ "ホークス、オスナ獲得へ 今季ロッテでプレー、160キロに迫る剛速球".
  59. ↑ "[SoftBank] The guardian god Osuna remains, with maximum sincerity with a long-term contract that exceeds Safate for 4 billion yen in total for 4 years". news.yahoo.co.jp. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  60. ↑ Lott, John (March 27, 2015). "The unlikely rise of rookie Toronto Blue Jays pitchers Roberto Osuna and Miguel Castro". news.nationalpost.com. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
  61. ↑ Davidi, Shi (March 14, 2015). "Osuna Readies For Post-Surgery Career". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  62. ↑ Nunez, Eric (October 11, 2015). "Blue Jays' Roberto Osuna goes from picking vegetables to closer with Toronto". ctvnews.ca. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
  63. ↑ Davis, Charles (June 29, 2012). "Premature Excitation: Toronto Blue Jays RHP Roberto Osuna". RantSports.com. Retrieved August 24, 2012.
  64. ↑ Wilner, Mike (September 16, 2017). "Blue Jays Takeaways: Osuna perfect in return to lineup". Sportsnet. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
  65. ↑ Perkel, Colin (September 25, 2018). "Assault charge against former Blue Jays pitcher Roberto Osuna withdrawn". The Canadian Press.
  66. ↑ "Assault charge against former Blue Jays pitcher Roberto Osuna withdrawn". CBC News. September 25, 2018. Archived from the original on August 9, 2022.
  67. ↑ Davidi, Shi (May 8, 2018). "Blue Jays closer Roberto Osuna charged with assault by Toronto police". Sportsnet. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
  68. ↑ "MLB suspends Blue Jays reliever Roberto Osuna 75 games". Sportsnet.ca. June 22, 2018. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
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