Jake Diekman

Last updated

41+2⁄3 innings.

Oakland Athletics

On July 27, 2019, the Royals traded Diekman to the Oakland Athletics for Ismael Aquino and Dairon Blanco. [28] On September 6, Diekman pitched in a suspended game between the Athletics and Detroit Tigers that originally started on May 19, allowing a double in a scoreless inning. This appearance was recorded on the original game date of May 19, when Diekman threw an inning of relief for the Royals against the Los Angeles Angels. Diekman thus accomplished the rare feat of having pitched for two different teams on the same day, statistically. For the 2019 season, he tied for the major league lead in holds (31). [29] In 28 games for the A's, Diekman struck out 21 in 20+1⁄3 innings.

Diekman became a free agent following the 2019 season after the Athletics declined his contract option. On December 3, 2019, Diekman re-signed with Oakland on a two-year contract. [30] In the 2020 shortened season, Diekman only allowed 2 runs in 21+1⁄3 innings.

Boston Red Sox

On March 16, 2022, Diekman signed a two-year contract with a club option for 2024 with the Boston Red Sox. [31] In 44 relief appearances through the end of July, he compiled a 5–1 record and a 4.23 ERA while striking out 51 batters in 38+1⁄3 innings. [32] [33]

Chicago White Sox

On August 1, 2022, Diekman was traded to the Chicago White Sox for catcher Reese McGuire and Taylor Broadway. [34] In 26 relief appearances through the end of the season, Diekman compiled an 0–3 record with a 6.52 ERA while striking out 28 batters in 19+1⁄3 innings. [33]

In 2023, Diekman made 13 appearances for the White Sox, struggling immensely to a 7.94 ERA with 11 strikeouts in 11+1⁄3 innings pitched. On May 2, 2023, Diekman was designated for assignment by Chicago. [35] He was released by the team on May 6. [36]

Tampa Bay Rays

On May 10, 2023, Diekman signed a one-year, major league deal with the Tampa Bay Rays. [37] In 50 relief appearances for the Rays, he recorded a 2.18 ERA with 53 strikeouts across 45+1⁄3 innings of work. He became a free agent following the season.

New York Mets

On February 6, 2024, Diekman signed a one-year, $4 million contract with the New York Mets. [38] [39] The deal included a vesting option for the 2025 season. [39] In 43 appearances for the Mets, he compiled a 5.63 ERA with 40 strikeouts and 4 saves over 32 innings of work. On July 29, Diekman was designated for assignment by the Mets. [40] He was then released by the team on August 3. [41]

Pitching style

"Diekman's rise in the Phillies system commenced once he adjusted his mechanics to throw side-arm. His 96.3-m.p.h. average fastball velocity this season ranks among the fastest of all relievers. His 27 strikeouts were fourth entering the weekend. His skill-set - a funky lefthanded delivery with dominant stuff - could create a lengthy career."

"Phillies' Diekman Holds Memory of His Mother Close", by Matt Gelb, The Philadelphia Inquirer, May 11, 2014 [2]

A lefty specialist, Diekman throws a fastball in the mid-90s, a slider at 78–81, and an occasional changeup to right-handed hitters. [42] [43] His fastball is among the fastest of left-handed relievers in the major leagues. [2] Like most left-handed pitchers, particularly those who throw out of an arm angle similar to Diekman's, he is tough on left-handed hitters. In 2013, he held lefties to just a .368 OPS, though allowed a .765 OPS to right-handed hitters. Despite suggestions he remain a lefty specialist, [44] he emerged in 2014 as a favorite middle reliever for manager Ryne Sandberg against both righties and lefties. [45] In 2020, Diekman credited Rob Friedman with helping improve his slider grip through Twitter, increasing the horizontal break on his slider substantially. [46]

Personal life

Diekman's mother died at age 57 just months before the Phillies drafted him. Diekman describes his father as his "best friend", and one who has helped him cope with his mother's death. [2] His mother, Billie, was Diekman's "biggest fan" and had to order her husband, Paul, to stop pacing and watch Diekman pitch. Diekman has sought therapy to cope with the loss of his mother, and meditates and thinks about her during "The Star-Spangled Banner" prior to each game. [2]

"(After his mother's death) Diekman started to appreciate the little things. The game slowed down when he had fun. He invoked his mother's spirit rather than avoiding it. 'The drive and determination she had for all the projects she did, how hard she worked, the dedication she had for her job,' Diekman said. 'It really paid off. It really came to me. I thought, 'If I have a job, I want to put in the time and dedication like she did.' ' That is how Billie Diekman's legacy perseveres. It is why a young man from tiny Wymore, Neb., will cherish Sunday's rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" at a baseball stadium..."

— Excerpt from "Phillies' Diekman Holds Memory of His Mother Close", by Matt Gelb, The Philadelphia Inquirer, May 11, 2014 [2]

Away from baseball, Diekman holds an associate's degree in business administration from Cloud County Community College. He enjoys listening to music, working out, playing golf, and long walks on the beach. He resides in Beatrice, Nebraska, during the offseason. [4] Because of his struggles with ulcerative colitis, he started a non-profit association called Gut It Out to benefit others who struggle with the disease. [47]

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References

  1. 1 2 Christopherson, Brian (June 2, 2012). "A pitcher's journey: From Wymore to The Show". Lincoln Journal Star . Retrieved December 1, 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Gelb, Matt (May 10, 2014). "Phillies' Diekman holds memory of his mother close". The Philadelphia Inquirer . Philadelphia Media Network. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
  3. ↑ "Jake Diekman Stats, Bio, Photos, Highlights". MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved December 1, 2013.
  4. 1 2 3 Clark, Bonnie, ed. (March 2014). 2014 Philadelphia Phillies Media Guide. Philadelphia, PA: The Phillies. pp. 82–83.
  5. ↑ Gelb, Matt (February 23, 2011). "How Phils spell relief: C-o-n-v-e-r-t a s-t-a-r-t-e-r". The Philadelphia Inquirer . Archived from the original on December 1, 2013. Retrieved December 1, 2013.
  6. ↑ Hagen, Paul (May 11, 2012). "Diekman key cog in bullpen shakeup". phillies.com: News. MLB Advanced Media. Archived from the original on May 17, 2012. Retrieved December 1, 2013.
  7. ↑ Zolecki, Todd (November 18, 2011). "Philadelphia Phillies add four players to 40-man roster". phillies.com: News. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved December 1, 2013.
  8. ↑ Gelb, Matt (March 27, 2012). "Dubee in love with Diekman". The Philadelphia Inquirer . Retrieved December 1, 2013.
  9. ↑ Treyhorn, Dash (February 25, 2013). "What to Expect: Jake Diekman". NBC 10 Philadelphia. NBCUniversal Media. Retrieved December 1, 2013.
  10. ↑ Cole, Henry (October 30, 2012). "2012 Phillies Exit Interview: Jake Diekman". The Good Phight. Vox Media. Retrieved December 1, 2013.
  11. ↑ Riccaboni, Ian (September 30, 2013). "Phillies Player Review: Jake Diekman". Phillies Nation. Retrieved December 1, 2013.
  12. ↑ Hall, Jordan (March 29, 2014). "Phillies announce 25-man opening day roster". CSNPhilly.com. Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia. Retrieved August 15, 2014.
  13. ↑ Gelb, Matt (April 6, 2014). "Jake Diekman's importance in Phillies bullpen grows". The Philadelphia Inquirer . Retrieved October 5, 2014.
  14. ↑ Gelb, Matt (July 5, 2014). "Phillies Notes: Diekman can't hold Marlins righties". The Philadelphia Inquirer . Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
  15. ↑ Baumann, Michael (September 2, 2014). "The Phillies' combined no-hitter, and finding fun during the dark days". Grantland.com . ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
  16. ↑ Montemurro, Meghan (August 13, 2014). "Phillies bullpen could be solid for many seasons". The News Journal . Wilmington, Delaware . Retrieved October 5, 2014.
  17. ↑ Nisula, Jonathan (September 11, 2014). "The Phillies bullpen is really good". Analysis - Phillies Nation. Phillies Nation. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
  18. ↑ Baer, Bill (September 9, 2014). "What got into the Phillies' bullpen?". Crashburn Alley. SweetSpot Network, an ESPN affiliate. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
  19. ↑ Zolecki, Todd (July 8, 2014). "Giles, Diekman give Phillies late-game bullpen depth". phillies.com: News. MLB Advanced Media. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
  20. ↑ Dembowitz, Adam (October 6, 2014). "2014 Phillies Report Card: Jake Diekman". Crashburn Alley. SweetSpot Network, an ESPN affiliate. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  21. ↑ Zolecki, Todd (July 31, 2015). "Hamels' trade to Texas is complete". MLB.com. Archived from the original on August 3, 2015. Retrieved July 31, 2015.
  22. ↑ Badler, Ben (July 31, 2015). "Trade Central: Phillies Get Impact Talent, Depth In Hamels Deal". Baseball America. Retrieved July 31, 2015.
  23. ↑ "Rangers agree with Diekman at $1,255,000, add Steve Johnson". ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 29, 2016. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
  24. ↑ "Jake Diekman Stats | Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved January 13, 2017.
  25. ↑ "Rangers' Jake Diekman to miss first half of 2017 after surgery to remove colon". CBSSports.com. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  26. ↑ Drake, Tyler (July 31, 2018). "D-backs acquire LHP Jake Diekman, designate De La Rosa for assignment". Arizona Sports. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  27. ↑ "Diekman signs 1-year deal with Royals". MLB.com. MLB. February 13, 2019. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  28. ↑ Gallegos, Martin (July 27, 2019). "Jake Diekman trade Athletics". MLB.com. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
  29. ↑ "Major League Leaderboards » 2019 » Pitchers » Standard Statistics | FanGraphs Baseball". Fangraphs.com. January 1, 2019. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
  30. ↑ Thomas Harrigan (December 3, 2019). "A's, Diekman agree to 2-year deal". MLB.com . Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  31. ↑ "Red Sox agree to two-year contract with LHP Jake Diekman". MLB.com. March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  32. ↑ Speier, Alex (August 1, 2022). "Christian Vázquez, Jake Diekman dealt as Red Sox make trio of Monday moves" . The Boston Globe . Retrieved August 1, 2022.
  33. 1 2 "Jake Diekman Stats". Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved November 11, 2022.
  34. ↑ Stebbins, Tim (August 1, 2022). "White Sox add bullpen help, acquire Diekman from Red Sox" . Retrieved August 1, 2022.
  35. ↑ "White Sox's Jake Diekman: Designated for assignment". cbssports.com. May 2, 2023. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  36. ↑ "Jake Diekman: Released by White Sox". cbssports.com. May 6, 2023. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
  37. ↑ McDonald, Darragh (May 10, 2023). "Rays Sign Jake Diekman To Major League Deal". mlbtraderumors. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  38. ↑ "Mets To Sign Jake Diekman". MLB Trade Rumors. February 2, 2024. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  39. 1 2 Wells, Adam. "MLB Rumors: Mets, Jake Diekman Agree to 1-Year, $4M Contract in Free Agency". Bleacher Report. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  40. ↑ "Mets cut reliever Jake Diekman, promote fellow lefty Matt Gage". ESPN.com. Associated Press. July 29, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  41. ↑ "Mets Release Jake Diekman". MLB Trade Rumors. August 3, 2024. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
  42. ↑ "Brooks Baseball · Home of the PitchFX Tool - Player Card: Jacob Diekman". Brooks Baseball. Retrieved May 15, 2012.
  43. ↑ "Jake Diekman >> Statistics >> Pitching". FanGraphs Baseball. FanGraphs. Retrieved December 1, 2013.
  44. ↑ Treyhorn, Dash (October 11, 2013). "Jake Diekman's impressive season". NBC10 Philadelphia. NBCUniversal Media. Retrieved December 1, 2013.
  45. ↑ Gelb, Matt (April 6, 2014). "Jake Diekman's importance in Phillies bullpen grows". The Philadelphia Inquirer . Retrieved May 11, 2014.
  46. ↑ "Pitcher got a nasty new slider ... from Twitter". MLB.com. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  47. ↑ "Rangers' Jake Diekman launches foundation". Major League Baseball. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
Jake Diekman
Jake Diekman on June 9, 2012.jpg
Diekman with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2012
Free agent
Pitcher
Born: (1987-01-21) January 21, 1987 (age 37)
Wymore, Nebraska, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Left
MLB debut
May 15, 2012, for the Philadelphia Phillies
Preceded by No-hit game
September 1, 2014
(with Hamels, Giles, & Papelbon)		Succeeded by
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