| Neftali Feliz | |
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| Texas Rangers – No. 30 | |
| Starting pitcher | |
| Born: May 2, 1988 Azua, Dominican Republic |
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| Bats: Right | Throws: Right |
| MLB debut | |
| August 3, 2009 for the Texas Rangers | |
| Career statistics (through 2012 season) |
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| Win-loss | 10–7 |
| Earned run average | 2.67 |
| Strikeouts | 201 |
| Saves | 74 |
| Teams | |
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| Career highlights and awards | |
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Neftalí Feliz Antonio (English pronunciation: /nɛfˈtɑːli fɛˈliːs/; born May 2, 1988) is a Dominican right-handed starting pitcher for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball. Feliz was the Rangers best prospect according to Baseball America, and one of the top five pitching prospects in baseball at the start of 2010.[1] His best pitch is his fastball, which consistently hits the upper-90s and can reach triple digits.[2]
Contents |
Baseball career [edit]
Feliz was signed by the Atlanta Braves as a free agent out of the Dominican Republic in 2005. On July 31, 2007 he was traded from the Braves to the Texas Rangers along with Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Matt Harrison, Beau Jones, and Elvis Andrus for Mark Teixeira and Ron Mahay.
2009 [edit]
Feliz was called up to the majors for the first time on August 2, 2009.[3] He made his debut on August 3, striking out four in two scoreless innings.[4] He finished the season with a 1–0 record and a 1.74 earned run average in 20 games, with 39 strikeouts and two saves in 31 innings pitched.
2010 [edit]
After two blown saves by Frank Francisco to start the 2010 baseball season, Feliz was promoted to closer to replace Francisco.[5]
On July 4, 2010, Feliz was named to his first MLB All-Star Game. He was accompanied by teammates Vladimir Guerrero, Josh Hamilton, Ian Kinsler, Elvis Andrus, and the newly acquired Cliff Lee. However, Feliz did not pitch during the game.
On September 1, 2010, Feliz threw a fastball recorded at 103.4 mph, currently the 3rd fastest any pitcher has ever thrown (behind Aroldis Chapman and Joel Zumaya).[6]
On September 25, 2010, Feliz earned his 38th save of the season, breaking the single-season record for saves by a rookie. He would go on to finish the season with 40. The previous record was held by Kazuhiro Sasaki of the Seattle Mariners, with 37 in in 2000.
During Game 6 of the 2010 American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees, Feliz got the final three outs in the 9th inning and sent the Rangers to the World Series for the first time in franchise history. On October 30, 2010, Feliz went three up, three down to close a 4–2 Rangers win in Game 3 of the World Series, making him the second youngest player to record a save in the World Series.[7] The Texas Rangers lost the World Series to the San Francisco Giants in 5 games.
On November 15, 2010, Feliz was awarded the 2010 American League Rookie of the Year Award, the first Ranger to win the award since Mike Hargrove in 1974. He beat out Tigers' center fielder Austin Jackson, and Twins' third baseman Danny Valencia.[8]
He was also named the closer on Baseball America's 2010 All-Rookie Team and the Topps Major League Rookie All-Star Team.[9][10]
2011 [edit]
In 2011, he was 2–3 with a 2.74 ERA, and 32 saves (5th in the American League, and tied for 9th-most in Rangers history).[11][12] During Game 6 of the 2011 World Series, with two outs, two strikes, and two runners on, Neftali Feliz blew a two run lead in the bottom of the 9th inning when he gave up a two-run triple to David Freese, driving in both Albert Pujols and Lance Berkman. The Cardinals would go on to win Game 6 after David Freese homered in extra innings. The Rangers lost their second straight chance of getting a World Series title, as the St. Louis Cardinals would win the series in 7 games.[13]
2012 [edit]
With the addition of veteran closer Joe Nathan, the Texas Rangers bumped Feliz into the starting rotation for the 2012 season. His first start came on April 10 against the Seattle Mariners. He pitched 7 shutout innings, only giving up 4 hits and 2 walks with 4 strikeouts in a 1-0 victory. On May 21, 2012, Feliz was placed on the 60-day disabled list due to right elbow inflammation. He was then placed on injured reserve after having a torn UCL in his right elbow which underwent Tommy John surgery on August 1, 2012.[14]
2013 [edit]
Feliz began the 2013 season on the 60-day disabled list due to still recovering from the Tommy John surgery he previously had. He is expected to be out at least until July.
References [edit]
- ^ Fitt, Aaron (January 25, 2010). "Texas Rangers Organization Top 10 Prospects". Baseball America. Retrieved October 25, 2010.
- ^ "Neftali Feliz » Statistics » Pitching". Fangraphs. Retrieved October 18, 2010.
- ^ "Texas Rangers' Feliz gets call to majors". Dallasnews.com. August 2, 2009. Retrieved October 25, 2010.
- ^ T.R. Sullivan. "Rangers' Feliz makes statement in debut". Mlb.com. Retrieved October 25, 2010.
- ^ Caplan, Jeff (April 12, 2010). "Feliz takes struggling Francisco's role". ESPN. Retrieved April 23, 2010.
- ^ "The Fastest Pitcher in Baseball History". Baseball-Almanac.com. Retrieved October 10, 2011.
- ^ "Mitch Moreland, Josh Hamilton power Rangers to win in World Series Game 3". ESPN.com. Retrieved April 6, 2011.
- ^ "Feliz wins AL Rookie of the Year Award". Mlb.com. Retrieved November 16, 2010.
- ^ Eddy, Matt (October 19, 2010). "Future Big League Stars Highlight All-Rookie Team". Baseball America. Retrieved October 21, 2010.
- ^ "Valencia awarded with rookie honor". Mlb.com. November 29, 2010. Retrieved December 11, 2010.
- ^ "Neftali Feliz Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 4, 2011.
- ^ "Texas Rangers Top 10 Pitching Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 15, 2011.
- ^ "Neftali Feliz Speechless After Game 6". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 28, 2011.
- ^ "Report: Rangers may bring Neftali Feliz back as a reliever in 2013". CBSsports.com. Retrieved October 5, 2012.
External links [edit]
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)
- MILB.com Profile
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