MLB Player Profile: Jonathan Papelbon
Jonathan Robert Papelbon plays as starting pitcher for Boston Red Sox in Major League Baseball. He was initially picked by the Oakland Athletics in the 40th round of the 2002 Draft but he decided not to accept the offer with the aim of reaching
the College World Series.
Papelbon’s team did not manage to reach the World Series that year and the Philadelphia Phillies were quick to offer him a selection but the player refused to sign that year. In 2003, Papelbon was finally drafted in the fourth round by the Boston Red Sox
and this time, the right-handed pitcher had no second thoughts.
Papelbon impressed in the Minor Leagues with a 13-10 win-loss record with Class-A teams Lowell Spinners and Sarasota Red Sox. He was quickly promoted to Triple-A Pawtucket where he managed a 1-2 record in four starts at an ERA of 3.57. He bagged 21 strike-outs
in 22.1 innings which were enough for him to get a call-up to the Majors.
The 6ft 4in made his debut for the Red Sox on July 31, 2005 against the Minnesota Twins which ended without a decision for the debutant. Papelbon could not become a regular starter for the Red Sox as he started in just three of the 17 games he played that
season. He pitched 34 innings to strike-out 34 batters at an ERA of 2.65. Papelbon’s win-loss record remained prominent at 3-1 with four holds to his credit. Red Sox closer Keith Foulke failed to make a comeback after sustaining injury in 2005 which led to
Papelbon becoming a regular feature on the mound as a closer.
He played his first complete season for the Red Sox in 2006 and impressed everyone as a rookie. He made a record in the first month of the season when he completed ten saves in a single month. No rookie has ever achieved this feat in the history of MLB.
2006 marked a phenomenal start for Papelbon who finished with 75 strike-outs in 68 innings at an ERA of just 0.92. He conceded just eight runs in the entire season and his performance was enough to get him selected in the American League All-Star roster.
This All-Star spot remained with him for five consecutive years till 2010.
2007 brought more joy for the relief pitcher as his immaculate performance from the mound helped the Red Sox to the American League East title followed by American league Championship Series victory. Boston went one step ahead that year and clinched the
World Series that year, a wish that Papelbon had since College. This year too, the Red Sox are again strong contenders for the AL East, ALCS and the World Series titles.
Papelbon’s domination at the end of the game continues to date and he made history when he became the first pitcher to record 30 or more saves in each of his first five years in MLB. He accumulated 188 saves from 2006 to 2010. His ERA of 1.27 in 2010 was
his highest in the stretch from 2006 to 2010 with 0.77 in 2007 being the lowest.
This year too, like his career, has been scintillating for the 30-year-old. He has already struck-out 62 batters in 45.2 innings and is just 16 shy of completing 500 career strike-outs. His form has been amazing this season with a win-loss record of 4-0
at an ERA of 3.35. He has accumulated 24 saves already and is yet again in line to complete more than 30 saves this season.
Papelbon has been an elegant player throughout his career and has the entire arsenal to become a name remembered forever.
Tags: