Jake Odorizzi

Jacob Todd Odorizzi (born March 27, 1990) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Kansas City Royals, Tampa Bay Rays, Minnesota Twins, Houston Astros, and Atlanta Braves. The Milwaukee Brewers selected Odorizzi in the first round, with the 32nd overall choice, of the 2008 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut in 2012 with the Royals.

Odorizzi attended Highland High School in Highland, Illinois, where he helped lead the Highland Bulldogs to the Illinois state championship.

The Milwaukee Brewers selected Odorizzi in the first round, with the 32nd overall choice, of the 2008 Major League Baseball draft. He had a 9–9 record, a 3.68 earned run average (ERA), and 197 strikeouts in the three years in the Brewers farm system. He played for the Arizona Brewers in 2008, Helena Brewers in 2009, and the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in 2010.

On December 17, 2010, the Brewers traded Odorizzi, Alcides Escobar, Jeremy Jeffress, and Lorenzo Cain to the Kansas City Royals for Zack Greinke and Yuniesky Betancourt. Baseball America ranked Odorizzi as the 69th best prospect in baseball prior to the 2011 season and the 23rd best prospect at midseason. After the 2011 season, he was named the fifth best prospect in the Double-A Texas League. He was named to appear in the 2012 All-Star Futures Game.

Odorizzi split time in 2012 between the Double-A Northwest Arkansas Naturals and the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers, posting an overall record of 15–5 and a 3.03 ERA. On September 16, 2012, the Royals purchased Odorizzi's contract from Omaha. He made two starts for the team before season's end. He earned the loss in his MLB debut against Cleveland. In two games, both against Cleveland, he pitched 7+1⁄3 innings

On December 9, 2012, the Royals traded Odorizzi along with Mike Montgomery, Patrick Leonard, and Wil Myers to the Tampa Bay Rays for pitchers James Shields and Wade Davis. He was optioned to the Triple-A Durham Bulls on March 12. In early May, he threw a combined no-hitter for the Bulls against the Pawtucket Red Sox. He was recalled by the Rays on May 20 to start in Toronto against the Blue Jays. He was sent back to the Bulls on May 29. He was recalled on August 29 for a start against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and optioned back to Durham the next day. He was recalled on September 20. Odorizzi spent majority of the 2013 season in the minor leagues posting a 9–6 with a 3.33 ERA in 22 Starts with the Durham Bulls. He got a late call up at the end of 2013, playing in 7 games (4 starts) and had a 3.94 ERA.

In 2014, Odorizzi was the fourth pitcher in the rotation for most of the season. He pitched moderately well, posting an 11–13 won–loss record, and a 4.13 ERA in 33 starts, pitching 168 innings with 174 strikeouts. He came in 8th for AL Rookie of the Year receiving one third place vote.

In the 2015 season, Odorizzi posted a record of 9–9 with an ERA of 3.25 and FIP of 3.16 in 169.1 innings, despite only making 28 starts. He led all major league pitchers in changeup percentage (30.0%).