Randy Wolf
| Randy Wolf | |
|---|---|
 Wolf warming up with the Brewers during 2011 Spring Training | |
| Free agent | |
| Starting pitcher | |
|
Born: August 22, 1976 Canoga Park, California | |
| Bats: Left | Throws: Left |
| MLB debut | |
| June 11, 1999 for the Philadelphia Phillies | |
| Career statistics (through 2012 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 132–117 |
| Earned run average | 4.20 |
| Strikeouts | 1,767 |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Randall Christopher Wolf (born August 22, 1976) is a professional baseball left-handed pitcher who is currently a free agent.
Early life
Wolf was born on August 22, 1976 in Canoga Park, California.[1] He played PONY League Baseball in West Hills, California. He played high school baseball at El Camino Real in Woodland Hills, California, where he was named High School "Pitcher of the Year" by the Los Angeles Times in 1993, and "Player of the Year" in 1994. Wolf continued his amateur career at Pepperdine University where he was a freshman first-team All-America, West Coast Conference Pitcher of the Year, second-team college All-American, and a West Coast Conference All-Star.
Draft and minor leagues
Wolf was originally drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 25th round of the 1994 Major League Baseball Draft, but did not sign. He was then drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the second round of the 1997 Major League Baseball Draft. He rose through the minor leagues quickly, including stops with Single-A Batavia (1997, 4–0, 1.58, 7 starts), Double-A Reading (1998, 2–0, 1.44, 4 starts), and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (1998, 9–7, 4.62, 23 starts & 1999, 4–5, 3.61, 12 starts).
Major league career
Philadelphia Phillies (1999-2006)
Wolf made his major-league debut on June 11, 1999, against the Toronto Blue Jays, pitching 52⁄3 innings, giving up one run, and recording his first career victory in the Phillies 8–4 win over Toronto. In 2003, Wolf was selected to the National League All-Star team and finished the year with a career-high 16 wins. On August 11, 2004, Wolf hit two home runs while pitching the Phillies to a 15–4 win against the Colorado Rockies. On July 1, 2005, Wolf underwent Tommy John surgery, missing the remainder of the season and the first half of the 2006 season. He made his return to the Phillies' rotation on July 30, 2006. He finished the 2006 season with a 4–0 record, pitching only 55 innings. Phillies fans created a fan club known as The Wolf Pack, whose members came to games sporting wolf masks. This prompted the Phillies promotional team to have a Randy Wolf Mask giveaway night. When one member of The Wolf Pack died, Wolf attended the funeral. After the 2006 season Wolf's contract with the Phillies expired and he became a free agent.
Los Angeles Dodgers (2007)
Wolf signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Dodgers. On July 4, 2007, Wolf went on the 15-day disabled list due to left shoulder soreness. He underwent shoulder surgery and missed the rest of the season. On November 1, the Dodgers bought out his 2008 option and allowed Wolf to become a free agent.
San Diego Padres, Houston Astros (2008)
On December 1, 2007, Wolf signed a one-year contract with the San Diego Padres. On April 15, 2008, Wolf had a no-hitter through 62⁄3 innings against the Colorado Rockies at Petco Park before Brad Hawpe hit a single. On July 22, 2008, Wolf was traded to the Houston Astros for Chad Reineke.
Second stint with the Los Angeles Dodgers (2009)
On February 6, 2009, Wolf signed a one-year, $5 million contract to return to the Dodgers.[2] He turned in one of his best seasons, finishing 11–7 with a 3.23 ERA in 34 starts for the team.
Milwaukee Brewers (2010-2012)
On December 14, 2009, Wolf agreed to a three-year, $29.75 million contract with the Milwaukee Brewers.[3] In 2011, he started 33 games (4th in the National League) and was 13-10, with a 3.69 ERA.[4] Through 2011, his 9 career shutouts were 6th-most of all active pitchers.[4] On October 13 in the 2011 NLCS against the St. Louis Cardinals, Randy Wolf won his first career postseason start. With this victory, Wolf is no longer the active leader in career games started without a postseason win. The Brewers lost the NLCS against the St. Louis Cardinals in 6 games. On August 22, 2012, Wolf was given his release by the Brewers organization. Jeff Bianchi was brought up from Triple A to fill his spot on the roster.[5] A few weeks before being released Randy Wolf threw a 49mph curveball.
Baltimore Orioles (2012)
The Baltimore Orioles and Wolf reached an agreement on August 31, 2012, and was subsequently added to the team's 25-man roster as a member of the bullpen.[6][7] Wolf was also included on the Orioles postseason roster until losing the 2012 ALDS against the Yankees. Wolf was released after the season ended.
Free agency (2013)
On October 30, Wolf underwent Tommy John surgery for the second time of his career. As a result, Wolf will miss the entire 2013 season as he remains on free agency. However, he said he intends to pitch in 2014.[8]
Scouting report
Wolf has a four-seam fastball and a two-seam fastball clocked at 87–90 mph. He throws a cut fastball in the mid-80s. He also regularly throws a late breaking slider in the upper 70s, a big sweeping curveball in the upper 60s to lower 70s (although it has been clocked at under 60 miles per hour), and occasionally mixes in a changeup in the upper 70s. Wolf primarily pitches to contact for fly balls, though he is capable of racking up strikeouts in his starts. Right-handers are more likely to see his two-seamer and changeup, while lefties see more four-seamers and sliders. His pitching repertoire closely resembles former lefty teammate's, Chris Narveson.
Weeks before being released by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2012, Randy Wolf threw a 49 MPH curveball.[9]
Randy's older brother Jim is a Major League umpire.[10] To avoid a potential conflict of interests, Jim does not work behind the plate on games his brother pitches. More recently, Jim has not officiated games that includes his brother's team. If his crew is involved in games that include Randy's team, he is removed from those games and switches with another umpire.
Personal life
In 2007, Wolf purchased a house in Los Angeles' Hollywood Hills from rocker Slash.
See also
References
- ↑ "Randy Wolf, LHP, Orioles". Baseball America. Retrieved October 22, 2013.
- ↑ Gurnick, Ken (February 6, 2009). "Dodgers sign Wolf to one-year deal Return of left-hander will help bolster young rotation for LA". MLB.com. Retrieved February 7, 2009.
- ↑ By Adam McCalvy / MLB.com. "Brewers, Wolf finalize three-year deal". Milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com. Retrieved October 3, 2011.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Randy Wolf Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 3, 2011.
- ↑ http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/baseball/mlb/08/22/Randy-Wolf-Brewers.ap/index.html?eref=twitter_feed
- ↑ Nicholson-Smith, Ben (31 August 2012). "Orioles Sign Randy Wolf". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved 31 August 2012.
- ↑ Simon, Andrew (31 August 2012). "O's add veteran Wolf to bullpen for playoff push". Mlb.com (Major League Baseball Advanced Media). Retrieved 31 August 2012.
- ↑ Connolly, Dan (October 23, 2012). "Randy Wolf will have Tommy John surgery and miss 2013 season". Baltimore Sun.
- ↑ Doyle, Ricky. "Randy Wolf Lobs 49-MPH Curveball to Brandon Phillips". NESN.
- ↑ Jim Wolf's official MLB.com profile MLB.com
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Randy Wolf. |
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)