Joe Saunders

Last updated

82+23 innings pitched.

Saunders made 33 starts for the Diamondbacks during the 2011 campaign, compiling a 12-13 record and 3.69 ERA with 108 strikeouts over 212 innings of work. On December 12, 2011, Saunders was non-tendered and became a free agent. [8]

On January 17, 2012, Saunders re-signed with the Diamondbacks on a one-year, $6 million contract. [9] In 21 starts for Arizona, he posted a 6-10 record and 4.22 ERA with 89 strikeouts over 130 innings of work.

Baltimore Orioles

Joe Saunders in 2012. Joe Saunders on August 29, 2012.jpg
Joe Saunders in 2012.

On August 26, 2012, Saunders was traded to the Baltimore Orioles for Matt Lindstrom. [10] He finished 3–3 in seven starts for the O's. Saunders was the winning pitcher when the Orioles defeated the Texas Rangers in the inaugural Wild Card Game, pitching 5+23 innings with four strikeouts. He became a free agent following the season.

Seattle Mariners

Saunders with the Mariners Saunders Mariners.jpg
Saunders with the Mariners

On February 12, 2013, Saunders agreed to a one-year contract with the Seattle Mariners. [11] Over his first six weeks of the season, he pitched very well at home in Safeco Field and extremely poorly in his road outings. This pattern coupled with previous good numbers at Safeco Field earned him the slightly pejorative sobriquet "Safeco Joe." [12] Although he pitched slightly better at home than on the road, his home ERA was at 4.99 in 13 starts, while on the road his ERA was 5.45 in 19 starts. Saunders finished with a record of 11-16 and a 5.26 ERA for the M's.

Texas Rangers

On March 4, 2014, Saunders signed a one-year contract with the Texas Rangers. [13] He was designated for assignment on July 1, 2014. [14] Saunders was released on July 4. [15]

Kansas City Royals

On July 8, 2014, Saunders signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals and was assigned to the Triple-A Omaha Royals. [16] After four starts and an ERA of 6.75 at Triple-A, he was released by the team on July 30.

Baltimore Orioles (second stint)

On August 5, 2014, Saunders returned to the Baltimore Orioles, signing a minor league contract with the club. He was called up to the big leagues on September 1 as part of the September roster expansion [17] He became a free agent following the season.

Seattle Mariners (second stint)

On February 20, 2015, Saunders signed a minor league deal with the Seattle Mariners. He opted out of his minor league deal with the Mariners on May 1, 2015. [18]

Scouting report

Saunders has never been a strikeout pitcher, having a K/9 of less than 6. He has been durable throughout his career. Saunders relies on a fastball at around 89 to 91 MPH with sink to it, a curveball, a slider and his best pitch, a changeup. [19]

Personal life

Saunders is married to his Virginia Tech classmate and former Hokie softball player, the former Shanel Garofalo. The couple has three daughters. He described himself in an interview, "My personality is laid back and very low key. I like to have fun, and I like to hang out and be with family and friends. Then, once I get on the field, everything changes. I don’t think about any family, any friends, any babies, or anyone at all. Once I’m out there on that mound, I’m all business. I don’t think about anything except getting that hitter out any way I can." [20]

References

  1. "Major League Baseball Players From the Cape Cod League" (PDF). capecodbaseball.org. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  2. "2001 Harwich Mariners". thebaseballcube.com. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  3. "East Division All Stars". capecodbaseball.org. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  4. Bump, Larry. "Joe Saunders – No. 37 MLN FAB50 Baseball 2006 Mid-Season Rankings". Minor League News. Archived from the original on October 16, 2006. Retrieved April 21, 2007.
  5. Brand, Richie (April 21, 2007). "Former Hokie Saunders takes down M's". MLB.com. Archived from the original on May 3, 2007. Retrieved April 21, 2007.
  6. Piecoro, Nick (July 25, 2010). "Arizona Diamondbacks trade Dan Haren to Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim". The Arizona Republic . Retrieved July 5, 2014.
  7. DiGiovanna, Mike (July 25, 2010). "Angels trade Joe Saunders for Diamondbacks' Dan Haren". Los Angeles Times . Archived from the original on December 5, 2013. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
  8. "National League Non-Tenders". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved April 15, 2025.
  9. "Joe Saunders stays with D-backs for $6 million". ESPN.com . Associated Press. January 17, 2012. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
  10. "O's get Joe Saunders from D-backs". ESPN.com. Associated Press. August 26, 2012. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
  11. Johns, Greg (February 12, 2013). "Mariners finalize Saunders deal, designate Carp". MLB.com . Archived from the original on March 6, 2014. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
  12. Withers, Bud (May 12, 2013). "Safeco Joe eager to break pattern on road". The Seattle Times . Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
  13. Durrett, Richard (March 4, 2014). "Joe Saunders headed to Rangers". ESPN.com . Archived from the original on April 3, 2014. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
  14. "Rangers designate LHP Saunders for assignment". Associated Press. July 1, 2014. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved July 3, 2014.
  15. "Rangers recall ex-closer Neftali Feliz from minors". ESPN.com. Associated Press. July 4, 2014. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
  16. "Royals sign Saunders to minor league deal". ESPN.com . Associated Press. July 8, 2014. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
  17. "Orioles signs Saunders to minor league deal". ESPN.com. Associated Press. August 1, 2014. Retrieved August 2, 2014.
  18. Todd, Jeff (May 1, 2015). "Joe Saunders Opts Out Of Mariners Deal". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved December 26, 2015.
  19. "Scouting Report Joe Saunders". April 22, 2011.
  20. Laurila, David (October 17, 2009). "Prospectus Q&A: Joe Saunders". Baseball Prospectus. Archived from the original on July 29, 2012. Retrieved October 28, 2009.
Joe Saunders
Joe Saunders with the Texas Rangers.jpg
Saunders with the Texas Rangers
Pitcher
Born: (1981-06-16) June 16, 1981 (age 44)
Fairfax, Virginia, U.S.
Batted: Left
Threw: Left
MLB debut
August 16, 2005, for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Last MLB appearance
September 26, 2014, for the Baltimore Orioles