Jonathan Albaladejo

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Albaladejo and the second or maternal family name is Santana.

Jonathan Albaladejo
Albaladejo with the New York Yankees
Lake Erie Crushers
Pitcher / Coach
Born: (1982-10-30) October 30, 1982 (age 42) San Juan, Puerto Rico
Batted: Right Threw: Right
Professional debut
MLB: September 5, 2007, for the Washington Nationals
NPB: April 14, 2011, for the Yomiuri Giants
Last MLB appearance
July 20, 2012, for the Arizona Diamondbacks
MLB statistics
Win–loss record	6–3
Earned run average	4.34
Strikeouts	56
Stats at Baseball Reference
Teams
Washington Nationals (2007) New York Yankees (2008–2010) Yomiuri Giants (2011) Arizona Diamondbacks (2012)

Jonathan Albaladejo Santana (/ˌælbələˈdeɪhoʊ/ AL-bə-lə-DAY-hoh; born October 30, 1982) is a Puerto Rican professional baseball coach and former pitcher who is currently the head coach for the Trois-Rivières Aigles of the Frontier League. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Washington Nationals, New York Yankees and Arizona Diamondbacks, as well in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Yomiuri Giants.

Career

Pittsburgh Pirates

Albaladejo was selected by the San Francisco Giants in the 34th round (1,021st overall) of the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft, but did not sign.[1] In the following year he was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 19th round (564th overall), and signed on June 6, 2001.

He spent a number of years in the minors in the Pirates system as a starting pitcher, and in 2005 was converted to a reliever. The Pirates released him on April 25, 2007.[2]

Washington Nationals

Albaladejo pitching for the Washington Nationals in 2007

On May 3, 2007, Albaladejo signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals.[2] He played most of the season for the Class-AA Harrisburg Senators, compiling a 4.17 earned run average in 21 appearances.[3] He moved up to the Class-AAA Columbus Clippers and finished the season extremely well, posting an ERA of 0.78 in 14 appearances. When rosters expanded in September, the Nationals, then leading the league in innings pitched by relievers, brought him up.[4]

On September 5, 2007, Albaladejo made his Major League debut. In the top of the third inning, in a game against the Florida Marlins, Tim Redding was injured by a batted ball and needed to be replaced. Albaladejo entered the game with two men on and one out, and allowed a ground ball (where an inherited runner scored) and a pop up. In the fourth inning, Albaladejo struck out the side, and then was relieved.[5]

New York Yankees

On December 4, 2007, he was traded to the New York Yankees for relief pitcher Tyler Clippard.[6] [7]

He made the Yankees' Opening Day roster in 2008,[8] but only pitched in seven games while recording a 3.95 ERA.[3] He suffered a stress fracture in his elbow on May 9, 2008, and was ruled out for the season in June.[9] Albaladejo again made the Yankees' major league roster to start the 2009 season.[10] After posting an ERA of 6.00 in 18 appearances through May 22, he was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to make room on the roster for pitcher Chien-Ming Wang.[11] In 17 innings at Triple-A, he compiled a 1.59 ERA and 0.65 WHIP, earning a promotion back to the majors when Wang was placed on the disabled list on July 5, 2009.[12] Albaladejo was sent back down to Scranton on July 10, 2009, to make room for Mark Melancon.[13]

Albaladejo began the 2010 season with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. After a poor spring training, Albaladejo transitioned from his two-seam fastball to his four-seam fastball, which allowed him more control.[14] He was named International League Pitcher of the Week from July 5–12, and from July 12–18,[15] and pitched in the Triple-A All-Star Game.[16] After saving 31 games in 32 chances with a 0.96 ERA, he was called up to the Yankees on July 20.[17] However, he was optioned back to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on July 24 to make room for Sergio Mitre.[18]

Albaladejo set an International League single-season record for saves in 2010 with 43 (the previous record was 38).[19][20] He was named to the International League Postseason All-Star team.[21][22] He was called up by the Yankees when the rosters expanded at the start of September and pitched 11+1⁄3 innings for the team during the 2010 season, recording a 3.97 ERA.[3] During the offseason, Albaladejo asked the Yankees to release him so he could pursue a career in Japan.[23]

Yomiuri Giants

Albaladejo signed a one-year contract with the Yomiuri Giants of Japan's Central League.[24] In 46 games in Japan, he was 2–2 with a 2.45 ERA.[3]

Arizona Diamondbacks

The Arizona Diamondbacks signed Albaladejo on December 13, 2011.[25] In 49 games with the club's AAA affiliate in Reno, Albaladejo recorded 25 saves and struck out 60 in 56+2⁄3 innings of work. He was called up by the Diamondbacks at the end of the minor league season,[26] and posted an ERA of 9.00 in three games.[3]

Miami Marlins

On December 16, 2012, Albaladejo signed a minor league deal with the Miami Marlins.[27] He spent the entirety of the 2013 season with their AAA club, the New Orleans Zephyrs, recording a 3.80 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 73+1⁄3 innings. He was granted free agency after the season.[3]

Broncos de Reynosa

On April 1, 2016, Albaladejo signed with the Broncos de Reynosa of the Mexican Baseball League.[28] He was released on April 9, 2016.[29]

Bridgeport Bluefish

On April 19, 2016, Albaladejo signed with the Bridgeport Bluefish of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He was named an All-Star and won Pitcher of the Year during the 2016 season after setting the record for most wins by a Bluefish player (15) and most strikeouts in the league (164). Albaladejo re-signed with Bridgeport for the 2017 season.[30]

New York Mets

On July 25, 2017, Albaladejo signed a minor league deal with the New York Mets.[31] He made 9 appearances (8 starts) for the Triple–A Las Vegas 51s, logging a 4.50 ERA with 36 strikeouts in 52.0 innings of work. He was named the PCL's Pitcher of the Week for the week of July 24 after throwing 11 1/3 scoreless innings.[32] Albaladejo elected free agency following the season on November 6.[33]

Lancaster Barnstormers

On November 1, 2017, Albaladejo was drafted by the Lancaster Barnstormers in the Bridgeport Bluefish dispersal draft. On February 26, 2018, he signed with the team for the 2018 season.[34] Albaladejo re-signed for the 2019 season as a player-coach.[35] He coached Bryan Harper, the older brother of Bryce Harper.[36]

Coaching career

He retired as an active player following the season and was later hired as bullpen coach for the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League.[37]

He managed the Tupper Lake Riverpigs of the independent Empire Baseball League in 2020 and 2021.[38] He was the pitching coach for the Empire State Greys during the 2022 season where they were a road team for the Frontier League.[39]

On February 12, 2024, Albaladejo was announced as the pitching coach for the Lake Erie Crushers of the Frontier League.[40]

See also

• List of Major League Baseball players from Puerto Rico

References

1. "2000 San Francisco Giants Draft Class - The Baseball Cube". TheBaseballCube.com. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
2. "Jonathan Albaladejo Trades and Transactions by Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
3. "Jonathan Albaladejo Minor, Winter, Japanese, Mexican & Independent Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
4. Heininger, Claire (December 6, 2007). "It's official: Yanks trade Clippard to Nationals". NJ.com. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
5. "September 5, 2007 Florida Marlins at Washington Nationals Box Score and Play by Play". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. September 5, 2007. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
6. Hoch, Bryan (December 4, 2007). "Clippard dealt to Nats for Albaladejo". New York Yankees. MLB.com. Archived from the original on December 5, 2007. Retrieved December 4, 2007.
7. Putterman, Alex (November 2, 2015). "Revisiting the Yankees' Tyler Clippard-for-Jonathan Albaladejo trade". Baseball Prospectus. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
8. Nekoukar, Dave (March 29, 2008). "Opening Day, 2008: The Roster". nj. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
9. "Hughes undergoes X-rays on injured rib". ESPN. June 12, 2008. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
10. "Long and short of it, Joe Girardi's bullpen plan may change". New York Daily News. March 29, 2009. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
11. "Yankees put Wang in bullpen". ESPN. May 22, 2009. Retrieved May 22, 2009.
12. "Yankees' Wang goes on DL with shoulder injury". Deseret News. July 5, 2009. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
13. Carig, Marc (July 11, 2009). "Notebook: Reliever Mark Melancon excited for second chance with New York Yankees". NJ.com. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
14. Jennings, Chad (July 20, 2010). "Pregame notes: Spring training blessing in disguise | The Lohud Yankees Blog". The LoHud Yankees Blog. Archived from the original on July 22, 2010. Retrieved July 22, 2010.
15. Jackson, Josh (July 19, 2010). "Pitchers of the Week | MiLB.com News | The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". Minor League Baseball. Archived from the original on July 22, 2010. Retrieved July 22, 2010.
16. "Albaladejo selected IL pitcher of the week | The Times Leader, Wilkes-Barre, PA". Times Leader. July 12, 2010. Archived from the original on July 17, 2010. Retrieved July 22, 2010.
17. Collins, Donnie (July 21, 2010). "Closer Albaladejo gets call to New York - Sports". The Times-Tribune. Retrieved July 22, 2010.
18. "Transactions | New York Yankees". New York Yankees. MLB.com. July 24, 2010. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
19. "Albaladejo ties IL saves record". The Scranton Times-Tribune. Scranton/Wilkes Barre Yankees Blog. August 13, 2010. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
20. "International League notebook | International League News". August 31, 2010. Archived from the original on August 31, 2010. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
21. "Durham's Johnson named 2010 IL MVP; Hellickson, Freeman & Montoyo round out award winners" (PDF). Minor League Baseball. August 31, 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 14, 2011. Retrieved August 31, 2010.
22. "Triple-A All-Star Game: IL stars slip past PCL 2-1". Deseret News. July 15, 2010. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
23. Jennings, Chad (November 19, 2010). "Yankees release Jonathan Albaladejo | The Lohud Yankees Blog". The LoHud Yankees Blog. Archived from the original on November 22, 2010. Retrieved September 25, 2011.
24. Hoch, Bryan (November 19, 2010). "Released by Yanks, Albaladejo off to Japan | MLB.com: News". MLB.com. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved September 25, 2011.
25. Benvie, Christopher (December 14, 2011). "Jonathan Albaladejo Signs with Arizona Diamondbacks". Bleacher Report. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
26. "Arizona calls up Albaladejo, sends down Bauer". Yahoo News. July 18, 2012. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
27. A., Nate (December 17, 2012). "Marlins sign 3". MLB Daily Dish. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
28. "Ex ligamayorista Albaladejo refuerza a Broncos de Reynosa". El Mañana (in Mexican Spanish). Retrieved November 27, 2023.
29. "Jonathan Albaladejo Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
30. "Atlantic League Professional Baseball: News". www.atlanticleague.com. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
31. Borek, Jesse (July 24, 2017). "Mets sign Jonathan Albaladejo to minor-league deal". FanRag Sports. Archived from the original on November 9, 2017. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
32. Review-Journal, Betsy Helfand Las Vegas (July 31, 2017). "Las Vegas 51s' Jonathan Albaladejo given PCL weekly honor | Aviators/Baseball | Sports". Retrieved November 27, 2023.
33. "Minor League Free Agents 2017". baseballamerica.com. November 7, 2017. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
34. "Former Atlantic League Pitcher of the Year Signs with Lancaster". Lancaster Barnstormers. February 26, 2018. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
35. "ALBALADEJO NAMED PLAYER/COACH, DE LA ROSA RETURNS". Lancaster Barnstormers. February 20, 2019. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
36. Brookover, Bob (May 23, 2019). "Bryce Harper's brother makes $2,000 a month playing independent ball in Lancaster. He loves it". Inquirer. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
37. "Afinará Howard Johnson bateo de Toros de Tijuana". Minor League Baseball (in Spanish). January 6, 2020. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
38. "Jonathan Albaladejo – Tupper Lake Riverpigs". Retrieved November 27, 2023.
39. "Empire State Greys – Empire State Greys". September 28, 2022. Archived from the original on September 28, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
40. "Crushers Coaching Staff Update". lakeeriecrushers.com. Retrieved April 17, 2024.

External links

• Career statistics from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)