Jake Arrieta

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Jacob J. Arrieta

Bats Right, Throws Right
Height 6' 4", Weight 225 lb.

Schools Texas Christian University, Weatherford Junior College
High School Plano East High School

Born March 6, 1986 in Farmington, MD USA

Minors.BR page

Jake Arrieta is in his first minor league season in 2008; he also appeared in the Olympics that year.

[edit] Amateur Career

Arrieta was 6-1 with a 1.61 ERA as a high school junior and had a 5-4, 1.30 record as a senior. The Cincinnati Reds chose him in the 31st round of the 2004 amateur draft but he opted for college. He went 6-2 with a 3.43 ERA as a freshman at Weatherford junior college. The Milwaukee Brewers picked him in the 26th round of the 2005 amateur draft. He spent the summer with the McKinney Marshalls and had a 1.87 ERA, going 4-3 with 38 hits allowed in 62 2/3 IP. Baseball America rated him one of the top 10 prospects in the Texas Collegiate League. Transferring to Texas Christian University for his sophomore season, he went 14-4 with a 2.35 ERA. He tied Lauren Gagnier for the NCAA Division I lead in victories. He was second in the Mountain West Conference in ERA, .11 behind Danny Herrera. Arrieta and Herrera split MWC Pitcher of the Year honors. Arrieta was named a second-team All-American by Baseball America and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.

Arrieta joined Team USA in 2006, the first TCU player ever selected. He went 4-0 with a 0.27 ERA, giving up only 10 hits in 35 innings (but walking a team-high 23). Only David Price was relied on to pitch more innings for the team. Arrieta shut out Taiwan, Nevada and the Czech Republic. He helped the US win the 2006 World University Championship.

In 2007, the junior posted a 9-3, 3.01 record and led the MWC with 93 strikeouts. He was second to Jesse Craig in ERA. Arrieta was named to the All-Conference team. The Baltimore Orioles drafted him in the 5th round of the 2007 amateur draft and set a record for signing bonus for a 5th-round pick at $1.1 million.

[edit] Professional Career

Arrieta signed too late to debut in the minors in 2007. Instead, he made his pro debut in winter ball, tossing 16 scoreless innings for the Phoenix Desert Dogs, allowing 8 hits and 7 walks while striking out 16; he was 1-0 in 14 games. He led the Arizona Fall League in ERA. Baseball America rated him the #14 prospect in the AFL, right after Jeff Clement; he was the third-rated pitcher after Adam Miller and Anthony Swarzak and ahead of Max Scherzer.

Arrieta made his minor league debut with the Frederick Keys. He was 5-4 with a 3.02 ERA after his first 16 starts with 91 strikeouts in 89 1/3 IP and 64 hits allowed. He made the US roster for the 2008 Futures Game. Jake pitched one game for Team USA in the 2008 Olympics, when they won Bronze. He allowed two hits in 6 scoreless innings in a win over the host Chinese national team.