Vicente Padilla
From BR Bullpen
Vicente Delacruz Padilla
- Bats Both, Throws Right
- Height 6' 2", Weight 200 lb.
- Born September 27, 1977 in Chinandega, Nicaragua
[edit] Biographical Information
Vicente Padilla is is a pitcher for the Boston Red Sox. He is best known for his work in the 2002 All-Star Game played in Milwaukee, WI. Representing the Philadelphia Phillies, he was the last pitcher available for the National League squad. He pitched two scoreless frames in extra innings, but when he could not continue, Commissioner Bud Selig declared the game a tie, as there were no pitchers left to take the mound.
Originally signed by the Arizona Diamondbacks out of Nicaragua, Padilla was one of the key prospects obtained by the Phillies when they traded their ace Curt Schilling to the Diamondbacks in 2000. He pitched very well for the Phillies in both 2001 and 2002, winning 14 games both years, and appeared to be one of the best young pitchers in baseball. However, he was shut down after 20 starts in 2003, going 7-7 with a 4.53 ERA. He was mediocre in 2004, as attested by his 9-12 record and 4.71 ERA. Still, when he became a free agent after the season, the Texas Rangers offered him a large salary, as a result of the small number of pitchers available on the market that off-season.
Vicente Padilla was actually a good pitcher for the Rangers in 2006, although the favorable hitting environment in Ameriquest Field obscured that to some extent. He won a career-high 15 games, against only 10 losses, and posted a 4.50 ERA, good for a 102 ERA+. Still the Rangers' fans were looking for an ace, and his contribution was considered disappointing in light of his sizable salary. His reputation went down another notch in 2007 when injuries limited him to a 6-10 record with a career-high 5.76 ERA in 23 starts. He then made a surprising comeback in 2008, taking advantage of the Rangers' outstanding hitting to post an 8-3 record with an ERA under 4.00 in his first 14 starts. He finished the year at 14-8, 4.74, in 29 starts, pitching 171 innings. He had another good season in 2009, going 8-6 in 18 starts for Texas, and then finishing the year with the Los Angeles Dodgers, for whom he went 4-0, 3.20 in 8 games. He won a game in the NLDS that year, beating the St. Louis Cardinals with 7 shutout innings in Game 3. He had another good start in Game 2 of the NLCS against the Phillies, giving up a single run in 7 1/3 innings. However, in Game 5, he was rocked for 6 runs in 3 innings and charged with the loss as the Dodgers were eliminated.
The Dodgers liked what they had seen and re-signed Padilla for 2010, but injuries limited him to 16 starts. He pitched 95 innings, going 6-5, 4.07. He was still struggling with his health in 2011 and was limited to 9 outings, all of them out of the bullpen. He saved 3 games with a 4.15 ERA, making his last appearance on May 13th. He became a free agent after the season and was signed by the Boston Red Sox for 2012, making the team as a long reliever out of spring training.
Padilla throws an extreme change-up, a very slow curveball that will reach the plate around 60 mph. While he only uses the pitch occasionally, it is quite effective, as his fastball, thrown with the same arm speed, can reach 92 or 93 mph.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- NL All-Star (2002)
- 15 Wins Seasons: 1 (2006)
- 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 3 (2002, 2003 & 2006)
