Jake Odorizzi is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for several teams during his career. He was born on March 27, 1990, in Breese, Illinois, and attended Highland High School. Odorizzi was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the first round of the 2008 MLB draft, but he was traded to the Kansas City Royals in 2010.
Odorizzi made his MLB debut with the Royals in 2012, and he spent two seasons with the team before being traded to the Tampa Bay Rays in 2014. He had his best season with the Rays in 2019, when he posted a 3.51 ERA and 178 strikeouts in 159 innings pitched. Odorizzi was named to the American League All-Star team that year.
After the 2019 season, Odorizzi became a free agent and signed a one-year deal with the Minnesota Twins. He struggled with injuries during the 2020 season, making just four starts and posting a 6.59 ERA. Odorizzi became a free agent again after the season and signed a two-year deal with the Houston Astros.
Odorizzi's career statistics include a 62-56 record, a 3.92 ERA, and 1,054 strikeouts in 1,054 innings pitched. He was known for his fastball, which he could throw in the mid-90s, as well as his slider and splitter.
Off the field, Odorizzi was involved in several charitable endeavors. He and his wife, Carissa, started the "Jake Odorizzi Foundation" in 2015 to support children and families affected by autism. Odorizzi also participated in the "Players for the Planet" initiative, which promotes environmental sustainability in sports.
In March 2021, Odorizzi suffered a forearm strain during spring training with the Astros. He was placed on the injured list and did not make his season debut until May. Odorizzi struggled in his first few starts with the team, posting a 10.13 ERA in his first four outings. He was eventually moved to the bullpen, where he made several appearances before being released by the Astros in August.
Odorizzi announced his retirement from baseball on September 22, 2021, at the age of 31. He cited a desire to spend more time with his family and pursue other interests outside of baseball.
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