Pat Neshek is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for several teams during his career. He was born on September 4, 1980, in Madison, Wisconsin, and attended Park Center Senior High School in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. Neshek was not highly recruited out of high school and ended up playing college baseball at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana.
After college, Neshek was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the sixth round of the 2002 MLB draft. He spent several years in the minor leagues before making his major league debut on July 7, 2006. Neshek quickly became known for his unique sidearm delivery and his ability to strike out batters.
Neshek played for the Twins from 2006 to 2010, appearing in 147 games and posting a 3.05 ERA. He was then traded to the San Diego Padres in 2011, but he struggled with injuries and was limited to just 11 appearances that season.
In 2012, Neshek signed with the Baltimore Orioles but was released during spring training. He then signed a minor league contract with the Oakland Athletics and was called up to the majors in June. Neshek had a strong season with the A's, posting a 1.37 ERA in 24 appearances.
Neshek continued to pitch well for the A's in 2013, but he was traded to the Detroit Tigers in August. He struggled with the Tigers, however, and was released after the season.
Neshek signed with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2014 and had a career year, posting a 1.87 ERA in 71 appearances and earning his first All-Star selection. He continued to pitch well for the Cardinals in 2015, but he was traded to the Houston Astros in July.
Neshek pitched for the Astros in 2015 and 2016, appearing in 126 games and posting a 2.10 ERA. He then signed with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2017 and had another strong season, posting a 1.59 ERA in 62 appearances.
Neshek struggled with injuries in 2018 and was limited to just 30 appearances for the Phillies. He signed with the Phillies again in 2019 but was traded to the Oakland Athletics in August. Neshek appeared in just seven games for the A's before being released in September.
Overall, Neshek had a successful career as a relief pitcher, appearing in 507 games and posting a 2.86 ERA. He was known for his unique sidearm delivery and his ability to strike out batters. Neshek was also a two-time All-Star and a member of the 2015 Houston Astros team that won the American League pennant.
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