Matt Purke

Last updated

Matt Purke
Matt Purke 4.jpg
Purke pitching for TCU
Pitcher
Born: (1990-07-17) July 17, 1990 (age 32)
Spring, Texas, U.S.
Batted: Left
Threw: Left
MLB debut
May 20, 2016, for the Chicago White Sox
Last MLB appearance
June 29, 2016, for the Chicago White Sox
Men's baseball
Representing Flag of the United States.svg  United States
World Junior Baseball Championship
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2008 Edmonton Team

Matthew Taylor Purke (born July 17, 1990) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut and played his only MLB season with the Chicago White Sox in 2016.

Contents

Amateur career

Purke attended Klein High School in Klein, Texas. He was considered one of the best high school pitchers in baseball. His junior year was his best as he had a 12–1 win–loss record with a 0.37 earned run average (ERA). In his senior season he went 4–2 with a 1.18 ERA. He also carried a 4.5 GPA. He came out as a flamethrower throwing an average of 92 miles per hour (148 km/h).[ citation needed ] In 2009, ESPN projected that he would be the next Johan Santana. [1]

The Texas Rangers selected Purke in the first round, with the 14th overall selection, of the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft. [2] He did not sign, and instead enrolled at Texas Christian University (TCU), where he played college baseball for the TCU Horned Frogs. While there, he earned 2nd Team All American as a Freshman, and was named the Freshman of the year while going 16–0 with a 3.02 ERA. His sophomore year he went 5–1 with a 1.71 ERA in 11 starts. [3]

Professional career

Washington Nationals

Purke was drafted by the Washington Nationals in the third round of the 2011 Major League Baseball Draft. [4] He signed with the Nationals on August 15, 2011. [5] Purke was added to the 40-man roster in 2012 and made 3 starts for the Single-A Hagerstown Suns. He then had shoulder debridement surgery and missed the remainder of the 2012 season. He returned with Hagerstown in 2013, and posted a 6-4 record and 3.80 ERA in 18 games between the High-A Potomac Nationals and Hagerstown.

Pitching for the Double-A Harrisburg Senators of the Eastern League in 2014, Purke struggled with a 1–6 record and an 8.04 ERA. Purke later underwent Tommy John surgery. [6] On November 13, 2014, the Nationals released Purke, [7] and re-signed him to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training on November 18. [8] He split the 2015 season between Harrisburg, Potomac, and Hagerstown, accumulating a 3-6 record and 4.36 ERA with 43 strikeouts in 64.0 innings of work between the three teams. On November 6, 2015, he elected free agency.

Chicago White Sox

On November 21, 2015, Purke signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox organization that included an invitation to Spring Training. He was assigned to the Triple-A Charlotte Knights to begin the 2016 season.

The White Sox promoted Purke to the major leagues for the first time on May 13, 2016. [9] He made his MLB debut on May 20, pitching an inning and a third of scoreless ball against the Kansas City Royals. He finished his rookie season with a 5.50 ERA in 12 major league games with Chicago. On December 14, 2016, Purke was designated for assignment by the White Sox, [10] and was outrighted to the minors on December 21. [11] Purke spent the 2017 season in Triple-A with Charlotte, and posted a 4-5 record and 3.84 ERA in 48 appearances with the team. He elected free agency on November 6, 2017.

New York Mets

On November 17, 2017, Purke signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets organization. [12] Purke spent the year with the Triple-A Las Vegas 51s, recording a 2-2 record and 7.14 ERA with 42 strikeouts in 46.2 innings of work. On November 2, 2018, he elected free agency. [13]

Sugar Land Skeeters

On May 10, 2019, Purke signed with the Sugar Land Skeeters of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He was released on August 16. He re-signed with the Skeeters on August 19, and finished the year with a 5-8 record and 5.62 ERA in 31 appearances. Purke became a free agent following the season.

High Point Rockers

On March 10, 2020, Purke signed with the High Point Rockers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. [14] On May 4, Purke was released by the team without playing in a game, as the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Coaching career

On August 11, 2020, Purke announced his retirement of professional baseball and returned to his alma mater, Texas Christian University, to serve as a student assistant on the coaching staff as he completed his undergraduate degree. [15]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Thornton (baseball)</span> American baseball pitcher

Matthew J. Thornton, is an American former professional baseball pitcher. Born in Three Rivers, Michigan he grew up and attended high school in Centreville. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Seattle Mariners, Chicago White Sox, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Washington Nationals, and San Diego Padres. Thornton is second all-time in American League history in holds (182).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Albers</span> American baseball player (born 1983)

Matthew James Albers is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Houston Astros, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Arizona Diamondbacks, Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, Washington Nationals, and Milwaukee Brewers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nick Masset</span> American baseball player (born 1982)

Nicholas Allen Masset is an American former professional baseball pitcher, who played for the Texas Rangers, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Colorado Rockies, Miami Marlins, and Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB). He attended Pinellas Park High School.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brent Lillibridge</span> American baseball player (born 1983)

Brent Stuart Lillibridge is an American former professional baseball utility player. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Atlanta Braves, Chicago White Sox, Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees. He was known for his versatile playing skills and defensive prowess in the outfield. As a utility player, he started at every position except pitcher and catcher in his career.

Below is a partial list of minor league baseball players in the Chicago White Sox organizations and rosters of their affiliates:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthony Ranaudo</span> American baseball player (born 1989)

Anthony Ronald Ranaudo is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Boston Red Sox, Texas Rangers, and Chicago White Sox. Prior to playing professionally, Ranaudo attended Louisiana State University and played college baseball for the LSU Tigers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bryan Holaday</span> American baseball player (born 1987)

John Bryan Holaday is a former American professional baseball catcher. He made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut on June 6, 2012, with the Detroit Tigers. He also played in MLB for the Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox, Miami Marlins, Baltimore Orioles, and Arizona Diamondbacks. Prior to his professional career, Holaday played college baseball at Texas Christian University (TCU) for the TCU Horned Frogs. In his senior season at TCU, Holaday won the Johnny Bench Award, given to the best collegiate catcher for the season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nate Jones (baseball)</span> American baseball player (born 1986)

Nathan Andrew Jones is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Atlanta Braves, and Los Angeles Dodgers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Olt</span> American baseball player (born 1988)

Michael George Olt is an American former professional baseball third baseman. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Texas Rangers, Chicago Cubs, and Chicago White Sox. He played college baseball at the University of Connecticut.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lucas Giolito</span> American baseball pitcher (born 1994)

Lucas Frost Giolito is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kyle Crick</span> American baseball player (born 1992)

Kyle Daniel Crick is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Francisco Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago White Sox.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adrián Nieto</span> Cuban baseball player (born 1989)

Adrián Nieto is a Cuban former professional baseball catcher. He played one season in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago White Sox.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Skole</span> American baseball player

Matthew Thomas Skole is an American former professional baseball first baseman who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago White Sox in 2018 and 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jake Thompson</span> American baseball player (born 1994)

Jacob Keith Thompson is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Leones de Yucatán of the Mexican League. He previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Phillies and for the Lotte Giants of the KBO League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brandon Finnegan</span> American baseball player (born 1993)

Brandon Kyle Finnegan is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Kansas City Monarchs of the American Association of Professional Baseball. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Kansas City Royals and the Cincinnati Reds.

Jimmy Gerard Cordero is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Washington Nationals, Toronto Blue Jays, and Chicago White Sox.

Jason Leavell Coats is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago White Sox.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dane Dunning</span> American baseball pitcher (born 1994)

Dane Anthony Dunning is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut with the Chicago White Sox in 2020.

Evan Nicholas Skoug is an American professional baseball catcher in the Chicago White Sox organization. He attended Texas Christian University (TCU) and played college baseball for the TCU Horned Frogs.

Matthew James Foster is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2020.

References

  1. ↑ "Who's the next David Ortiz?". ESPN.com. January 26, 2009. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
  2. ↑ "MLB Draft Profiles: Matt Purke". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  3. ↑ "Matt Purke Minor League Statistics & History - Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  4. ↑ "Nationals get aggressive, take TCU's Matt Purke in the third round". Washington Post. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  5. ↑ "Nationals agree to terms with LHP Matt Purke, third-round Draft selection". Washington Nationals. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  6. ↑ "Washington Nationals prospect Matt Purke needs Tommy John surgery – MiLB.com News – The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Washington drops former Texas Rangers top pick from major-league roster". Texas Rangers Blog. Archived from the original on November 20, 2014. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Nationals sign Matt Purke to a minor league deal". Washington Post. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Friday's recap: White Sox 7, Yankees 1 - Chicago Tribune". Chicago Tribune .
  10. ↑ Merkin, Scott (December 14, 2016). "White Sox strike 1-year deal with Holland". MLB.com. Retrieved December 14, 2016.
  11. ↑ Wilmoth, Charlie (December 21, 2016). "Minor MLB Transactions: 12/21/16". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved December 21, 2016.
  12. ↑ Adams, Steve (November 17, 2017). "Minor MLB Transactions: 11/17/17". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  13. ↑ Eddy, Matt (November 6, 2018). "Minor League Free Agents 2018". Baseball America. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
  14. ↑ "Rockers Add Versatile Pitcher Matt Purke". March 18, 2020.
  15. ↑ "Matt Purke Returns to Program".
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.