Eric O'Flaherty

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1+1⁄3 scoreless innings and allowing one hit. He spent the entire 2009 season on the active roster and finished the year with a 3.04 ERA, a 1.243 WHIP, and a 39-to-18 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 56+1⁄3 innings. O'Flaherty was particularly effective against left-handed batters, who hit only .215 and posted a .270 on base average and a .290 slugging average off of him.

O'Flaherty served as an important part of the Braves bullpen during the 2011 season where he pitched primarily during the 7th inning. Along with Craig Kimbrel and Jonny Venters, the three formed the back end of the Braves bullpen. As of August 21, 2011 the trio had three of the six lowest ERAs in the NL. [6] In fact, O'Flaherty became the first pitcher ever to post a sub-1.00 ERA in 70 or more appearances.

In January 2012, the Braves and O'Flaherty agreed on a 1-year deal worth $2.49 million, that nearly tripled O'Flaherty's previous salary of $895,000. [7] O'Flaherty performed well in the 2012 season playing 64 games with a 3-0 and a 1.73 ERA.

O'Flaherty was placed on the disabled list on May 18, 2013, due to a left elbow strain. [8] An MRI revealed that there was a torn UCL in his left elbow. [9] O'Flaherty underwent Tommy John surgery on May 21, 2013, and was knocked out for the rest of the 2013 season. [10] [11]

Oakland Athletics

O'Flaherty signed a two-year contract with the Oakland Athletics on January 22, 2014. [12]

In 2015, O'Flaherty spent time on the 15-day disabled list.[ why? ] He was activated from the DL on June 2. [13] After struggling to a 5.91 ERA for the A's, O'Flaherty was designated for assignment on August 1. [14]

New York Mets

O'Flaherty with the New York Mets in 2015 Eric O'Flaherty on August 10, 2015.jpg
O'Flaherty with the New York Mets in 2015

The New York Mets acquired O'Flaherty and cash considerations for a player to be named later, minor league pitcher Darwin Frias, on August 4, 2015. [15] [16] He pitched in many relief appearances throughout the regular season, and made the postseason roster. He subsequently became a free agent.

Second stint with Braves

O'Flaherty pitching for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2016 Spring Training Eric O'Flaherty Pittsburgh Pirates (Cropped).jpg
O'Flaherty pitching for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2016 Spring Training

O'Flaherty signed a minor league deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates on February 11, 2016. [17] On March 27, he was traded to the Atlanta Braves. [18] O'Flaherty pitched to a 6.91 ERA in 39 games, and spent two stints on the disabled list, the first time for a strained knee. He returned to the DL for on August 19 with neuritis, ending his season. [19] The Braves resigned O'Flaherty to a minor league contract in December. [20] He was released on July 21, 2017, to create room for Anthony Recker who had his contract purchased. [21]

Pitching style

O'Flaherty's main weapon was a sinker in the low 90s that he threw about half the time. He complemented the sinker with a four-seam fastball, a slider in the mid 80s, and a changeup in the mid 80s. His pitch selection did not vary greatly between right-handed and left-handed hitters, although lefties tended to see fewer sinkers and more sliders. O'Flaherty often favored the slider when he was ahead in the count. [22]

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References

  1. ↑ Mark Bowman (January 17, 2012). "Braves, O'Flaherty agree to one-year dea". mlb.com . Retrieved February 2, 2012.
  2. ↑ "Haren's 10-game win streak ends as Beltre blasts boost M's". ESPN.com . Associated Press. July 6, 2007. Retrieved June 26, 2010.
  3. ↑ "Mariners select the contract of LHP Eric O'Flaherty from Triple-A Tacoma". MLB.com . August 16, 2006. Retrieved June 26, 2010.
  4. ↑ O'Neil, Danny (August 16, 2006). "M's Notes: O'Flaherty here and gone". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on May 24, 2011. Retrieved June 26, 2010.
  5. ↑ "Braves add four players to 40-man roster". MLB.com . November 20, 2008. Retrieved June 26, 2010.
  6. ↑ "Braves' hitting turnaround is more than just Uggla | Atlanta Braves". Archived from the original on August 26, 2014. Retrieved November 14, 2015.
  7. ↑ Bowman, Mark (January 17, 2012). "Braves, O'Flaherty agree to one-year deal". MLB.com. Retrieved March 27, 2016.
  8. ↑ Bowman, Mark (May 18, 2013). "O'Flaherty lands on DL, slated to see Dr. Andrews". MLB.com. Retrieved March 27, 2016.
  9. ↑ Bauman, Mike (May 18, 2013). "Braves call on pitching depth after injuries". MLB.com. Retrieved March 27, 2016.
  10. ↑ Bowman, Mark (May 20, 2013). "O'Flaherty to undergo Tommy John surgery". MLB.com. Retrieved March 27, 2016.
  11. ↑ Bowman, Mark (May 23, 2013). "Braves' workload examined with elbow issues". MLB.com. Retrieved March 27, 2016.
  12. ↑ Fox Sports. "MLB". FOX Sports. Archived from the original on July 8, 2014. Retrieved August 5, 2015.
  13. ↑ Koo, Jeremy (June 2, 2015). "Oakland A's activate Eric O'Flaherty from disabled list, option Angel Castro". athleticsnation.com. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
  14. ↑ "Athletics designate Eric O'Flaherty for assignment - HardballTalk". nbcsports.com. August 2, 2015. Retrieved August 5, 2015.
  15. ↑ "Mets acquire Eric O'Flaherty, designate Alex Torres for assignment". ESPN.com. August 5, 2015. Retrieved August 5, 2015.
  16. ↑ "A's acquire minor leaguer Frias from Mets to complete trade". ESPN.com. Associated Press. August 7, 2015. Retrieved August 7, 2015.
  17. ↑ "Pirates sign Eric O'Flaherty to minor league contract". MLB.com. February 11, 2016. Retrieved March 27, 2016.
  18. ↑ Bowman, Mark (March 27, 2016). "Needing lefty, Braves bring back O'Flaherty". MLB.com. Retrieved March 27, 2016.
  19. ↑ O'Brien, David (December 6, 2016). "O'Flaherty returns to Braves on minor-league contract". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved December 6, 2016.
  20. ↑ Bowman, Mark (December 6, 2016). "Teheran fit to handle WBC, season prep" . Retrieved December 6, 2016.
  21. ↑ "Transactions".
  22. ↑ "PITCHf/x Player Card: Eric O'Flaherty". BrooksBaseball.net. Retrieved April 26, 2012.
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Eric O'Flaherty
MG 4793 Eric O'Flaherty.jpg
O'Flaherty with the Atlanta Braves
Pitcher
Born: (1985-02-05) February 5, 1985 (age 39)
Walla Walla, Washington, U.S.
Batted: Left
Threw: Left
MLB debut
August 16, 2006, for the Seattle Mariners
Last MLB appearance
June 10, 2017, for the Atlanta Braves