Jaret Wright is a former American professional baseball player who played as a pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) for over a decade. He was born on December 29, 1975, in Anaheim, California, and grew up in California. Wright was a highly touted prospect in high school and was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the first round of the 1994 MLB draft.
Wright made his MLB debut in 1997 with the Cleveland Indians and quickly established himself as a promising young pitcher. He had a strong rookie season, going 8-3 with a 4.38 ERA in 13 starts. Wright continued to improve over the next few seasons, becoming a key member of the Indians' starting rotation. In 1998, he went 12-10 with a 4.72 ERA in 30 starts, helping the Indians win the American League Central division title.
Wright's best season came in 1999 when he went 12-10 with a 4.49 ERA in 34 starts. He also pitched well in the postseason, helping the Indians reach the World Series. However, the Indians lost to the Atlanta Braves in six games, and Wright struggled in his two starts, giving up 10 runs in 7.1 innings.
After the 2002 season, Wright became a free agent and signed with the San Diego Padres. He struggled in his one season with the Padres, going 2-7 with a 6.04 ERA in 16 starts. Wright then signed with the Atlanta Braves in 2004 and had a solid season, going 15-8 with a 3.28 ERA in 32 starts. He also pitched well in the postseason, helping the Braves reach the National League Championship Series.
Wright's career was plagued by injuries, and he struggled to stay healthy in the later years of his career. He bounced around to several teams, including the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Baltimore Orioles, but was never able to recapture the success he had earlier in his career. Wright retired from baseball in 2008 with a career record of 68-60 and a 5.09 ERA in 246 games (189 starts).
Despite his injury issues, Wright was known for his electric stuff on the mound. He had a fastball that could reach the upper 90s and a devastating curveball that he used to strike out batters. Wright was also known for his competitive spirit and his ability to pitch in big games.
Overall, Jaret Wright had a solid career in MLB, but injuries prevented him from reaching his full potential. He was a key member of several playoff teams and had some memorable moments in the postseason. Despite his struggles later in his career, Wright will always be remembered as a talented pitcher with a lot of potential.
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