{{short description|American baseball player (born 1981)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}} {{Infobox baseball biography | image = Clay Rapada 2012.jpg | image_size = 240px | caption = Rapada in 2012 with the Yankees | name = Clay Rapada | position = Relief pitcher | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1981|3|9}} | birth_place = Chesapeake, Virginia, U.S. | bats = Right | throws = Left | debutleague = MLB | debutdate = June 14 | debutyear = 2007 | debutteam = Chicago Cubs | finalleague = MLB | finaldate = September 22 | finalyear = 2013 | finalteam = Cleveland Indians | statleague = MLB | stat1label = Win–loss record | stat1value = 8–0 | stat2label = Earned run average | stat2value = 4.09 | stat3label = Strikeouts | stat3value = 82 | teams = * Chicago Cubs ({{mlby|2007}}) * Detroit Tigers ({{mlby|2007}}–{{mlby|2009}}) * Texas Rangers ({{mlby|2010}}) * Baltimore Orioles ({{mlby|2011}}) * New York Yankees ({{mlby|2012}}) * Cleveland Indians ({{mlby|2013}}) }} '''Clayton Anthony Rapada''' (born March 9, 1981) is an American former professional baseball relief pitcher and coach. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers, Texas Rangers, Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees, and Cleveland Indians.

He has appeared in 152 major league games (none of which he started), but has pitched only 93 innings in that time, averaging about {{frac|2|3}} of an inning per appearance. He does, however, hold a unique major league record; he has a career win-loss record of 8–0 for a winning percentage of 1.000. This marks the most wins for a pitcher without ever being charged with a loss.

Rapada coached in the San Francisco Giants minor league system from 2016 to 2021.

==Early life== Rapada was born in Chesapeake, Virginia to an American mother and a Filipino father, whose roots traces to Cabangan, Zambales.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Espejo |first1=Edwin |date=April 5, 2012 |title=Clay Rapada: This Yankee is a Filipino |publisher=Asian Correspondent |url=https://asiancorrespondent.com/2012/04/clay-rapada-this-yankee-is-a-filipino/ |accessdate=February 11, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160222055718/https://asiancorrespondent.com/2012/04/clay-rapada-this-yankee-is-a-filipino/ |archive-date=February 22, 2016}}</ref> He graduated from Deep Creek High School of Chesapeake, Virginia in 1999 and was a fan of the Chicago Cubs.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://richmond.com/sports/professional/former-virginia-state-pitcher-major-leaguer-clay-rapada-making-stop-in-richmond-as-giants-staffer/article_d98a1256-1b40-5680-a3f6-37f6c635d2ad.html|title=Former Virginia State pitcher, major leaguer Clay Rapada making stop in Richmond as Giants staffer|first=Wayne|last=Epps Jr.|website=Richmond Times-Dispatch|date=June 8, 2021 }}</ref> He then attended Virginia State University and played on the NCAA Division II Trojans baseball team.<ref>{{cite web | title =Q&A with Norfolk Tides pitcher Clay Rapada | url =https://www.camdenchat.com/2014/7/23/5921215/norfolk-tides-clay-rapada-interview | website =camdenchat.com | date = July 23, 2014 | access-date = June 7, 2021}} </ref> As a freshman, Rapada went 7–1 and was planning on transferring to Old Dominion before he was approached by a Chicago Cubs scout. <ref name="auto"/>

==Playing career== ===Chicago Cubs=== Rapada signed with the Chicago Cubs as an undrafted free agent in 2002.<ref name="auto"/> Rapada made his professional debut with the Single-A Boise Hawks in 2002 and spent part of the 2003 season with the team as well. He was promoted to the Single-A Lansing Lugnuts, where he posted a 4.96 earned run average (ERA) and recorded 27 strikeouts over {{frac|45|1|3}} innings pitched, primarily in relief.

In 2004, Cubs coaches suggested that Rapada try a sidearm delivery.<ref>{{cite web |last=Aber |first=Ryan |date=August 13, 2010 |title=RedHawks' sidearm relievers excelling |url=http://newsok.com/redhawks-sidearm-relievers-excelling/article/3484733 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100828175936/http://newsok.com/redhawks-sidearm-relievers-excelling/article/3484733 |archive-date=August 28, 2010 |accessdate=May 11, 2013 |website=NewsOK |publisher=}}</ref> Rapada showed improvement that season for the Lugnuts, going 6–6 with an ERA of 2.33 in 57 appearances. He was a Midwest League Post-Season All-Star.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hook |first=Larry |date=June 8, 2012 |title=Lugnuts clinch playoff berth with dramatic 11-inning win over Bowling Green |url=https://www.mlive.com/lansing-sports/2012/06/lugnuts_clinch_playoff_berth_w.html |access-date=December 28, 2023 |website=mlive |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Clay Rapada Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News |url=https://www.mlb.com/player/clay-rapada-449060 |access-date=December 28, 2023 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}</ref>

In 2005, the Cubs moved Rapada up to the High-A Daytona Cubs, where he went 1–3 with an ERA 3.83 in 27 appearances. In 2006, he pitched for both the Double-A West Tenn Diamond Jaxx and the Triple-A Iowa Cubs. Between the two teams, he appeared in 61 games and posted an ERA of 1.59.<ref name="bbref-minors">{{cite web |title=Clay Rapada Statistics (Minor Leagues) |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=rapada001cla |work=Baseball Reference}}</ref> He was selected as a Southern League All-Star while with the Diamond Jaxx.<ref name=":0" />

Rapada made his major league debut with the Chicago Cubs on June 14, 2007, against the Seattle Mariners. He faced one batter, Raúl Ibañez, who lined out to Cubs right fielder Cliff Floyd.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN200706140.shtml |title=June 14, 2007 Seattle Mariners at Chicago Cubs Box Score and Play by Play – |publisher=Baseball-reference.com |date=June 14, 2007 |accessdate=May 11, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Vorva |first=Jeff |date=June 15, 2007 |title=Cubs notebook: Jones gets some time to 'get the cobwebs out' |url=https://www.bentoneveningnews.com/x983396986 |access-date=December 28, 2023 |website=Carbondale Times |language=en-US}}</ref> Rapada was sent back to Iowa without making another appearance.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yellon |first=Al |date=December 8, 2020 |title=One-game Cubs, 1970-2009 |url=https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2020/12/8/22159942/one-game-cubs-1970-2009-tony-la-russa-adam-greenberg |access-date=December 28, 2023 |website=Bleed Cubbie Blue |language=en}}</ref>

===Detroit Tigers=== On August 30, 2007, Rapada was announced as the player to be named later in the trade between the Tigers and Cubs involving outfielder Craig Monroe. He was assigned to Triple-A Toledo.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=August 31, 2007 |title=AL Notes: Tigers option Miller, acquire Rapada |url=https://www.seattlepi.com/sports/baseball/article/al-notes-tigers-option-miller-acquire-rapada-1248250.php |access-date=December 28, 2023 |website=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Vorva |first=Jeff |title=Cubs notebook: GM wants to put Ohman's troubles behind him |url=https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/2007/08/31/cubs-notebook-gm-wants-to/46372296007/ |access-date=December 28, 2023 |website=Canton Repository |language=en-US}}</ref>

Rapada made his Tigers debut on September 9.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Slagter |first=Josh |date=September 9, 2007 |title=Granderson closes in on more history |url=https://www.mlive.com/tigers/2007/09/granderson_one_steal_from_more.html |access-date=December 28, 2023 |website=MLive |language=en}}</ref> In a coincidence, he faced Ibáñez again, giving up a three-run home run. He was pulled immediately after, without getting an out, giving him the distinction of facing the same batter (and only that batter) twice in his first two major league appearances.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mariners 14-7 Tigers (Sep 9, 2007) Box Score |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/boxscore/_/gameId/270909106 |access-date=December 28, 2023 |website=ESPN |language=en}}</ref> He pitched in four games for the Tigers.

Rapada earned his first major league victory on April 15, 2008, as the Tigers beat the Minnesota Twins 6–5.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/DET/DET200804150.shtml |title=April 15, 2008 Minnesota Twins at Detroit Tigers Play by Play and Box Score – |publisher=Baseball-reference.com |date=April 15, 2008 |accessdate=May 11, 2013}}</ref> He did not make the Tigers 25-man roster and began the 2009 season playing for the Toledo Mud Hens.

===Texas Rangers=== thumb|upright|Rapada with the Orioles in 2011 On December 7, 2009, Rapada was traded to the Texas Rangers for a player to be named later or cash considerations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091207&content_id=7767556&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb|title=Tigers sign Thomas, deal Rapada|accessdate=December 7, 2009|author=Beck|date=December 7, 2009|work=MLB.com|first=Jason|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103201331/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091207&content_id=7767556&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb|archive-date=2012-11-03|url-status=dead}}</ref> On December 16, Rapada was outrighted off the 40-man roster to Triple-A.

Rapada played most of the 2010 season with the Triple-A Oklahoma City RedHawks. On September 3, Texas called up Rapada to the major league roster.<ref>{{cite news | title = Rangers activate Nippert, recall Teagarden and bring up Rapada. After the Texas Ranger's first postseason series clinch in franchise history, the team announced that Clay should be in the bullpen in the ALCS against the Yankees. | first = Evan | last = Grant | url = http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/baseball/rangers/stories/090410dnsporangadds.ba9fb1a0.html | newspaper = The Dallas Morning News | accessdate = September 3, 2010 }}</ref>

Rapada was listed as an alternative during the postseason when the Rangers would make it to the World Series for the first time in franchise history. The Rangers would eventually lose the World Series to the San Francisco Giants.

On January 14, 2011, Rapada was placed on release waivers by the Rangers.

===Baltimore Orioles=== On January 25, 2011, Rapada was signed by the Baltimore Orioles and invited to spring training to compete for a roster spot. After being sent to the minors after spring training, Rapada was called up by Baltimore on April 17.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/playerbreakingnews.asp?sport=MLB&id=4867&line=319425&spln=1 |title=Clay Rapada: Rapada to be promoted from AAA on Monday |publisher=Rotoworld.com |date= |accessdate=May 11, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140415121524/http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/playerbreakingnews.asp?sport=MLB&id=4867&line=319425&spln=1 |archive-date=April 15, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He made his Orioles debut on April 18 with two outs in the seventh inning against the Minnesota Twins.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2011_04_18_minmlb_balmlb_1&mode=gameday |title=Minnesota Twins at Baltimore Orioles - April 18, 2011 |publisher=Mlb.mlb.com |date= |accessdate=May 11, 2013}}</ref> He was designated for assignment on June 29. In {{frac|16|1|3}} innings with Baltimore, Rapada had a 6.06 ERA.<ref>{{cite web|last=Nicholson-Smith|first=Ben|title=Orioles To Designate Clay Rapada For Assignment|url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/06/orioles-to-designate-clay-rapada-for-assignment.html|work=MLBTradeRumors.com|accessdate=June 29, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110701100834/http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/06/orioles-to-designate-clay-rapada-for-assignment.html|archive-date=July 1, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>

After being designated for assignment on February 6, Rapada was released by the Orioles on February 15. He led the major leagues in left-handers' batting average who face him since 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.masnsports.com/steve_melewski/2012/02/the-orioles-have-released-clay-rapada.html |title=The Orioles have released Clay Rapada |work=MASN Sports |first=Steve |last=Melewski |date=February 15, 2012}}</ref>

===New York Yankees=== Rapada signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees on February 18, 2012, with an invitation to spring training. Rapada made the Yankees Opening Day roster. He had a 2.82 ERA in 70 appearances. After 2013 spring training, he was designated for assignment. He cleared waivers and was released on April 3.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/mlb/news/yankees-release-clay-rapada |title=Yankees release Clay Rapada &#124; HardballTalk |publisher=NBC Sports |date= April 3, 2013|accessdate=May 11, 2013|last=Gleeman|first=Aaron|author-link=Aaron Gleeman}}</ref> He was re-signed to a minor league deal on April 9<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/yankees/index.ssf/2013/04/yankees_re-sign_clay_rapada.html |title=Yankees re-sign lefty reliever Clay Rapada to minor-league deal |publisher=Nj.com |date= April 10, 2013|accessdate=May 11, 2013}}</ref> and released on June 3.<ref name=released63>{{cite news|title=Ichiro even with Williams on all-time hits list|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130604&content_id=49592684&notebook_id=49606576&vkey=notebook_nyy&c_id=nyy|accessdate=June 4, 2013|newspaper=MLB.com|date=June 4, 2013|author=Vitale, Josh|author2=Hoch, Bryan}}</ref>

===Cleveland Indians=== Rapada signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians on June 13, 2013. After spending most of the season with the Triple-A Columbus Clippers, he was added to the Indians' major league roster as a September call-up.<ref>{{cite news |first=Jim |last=Massie |title=Tribe call-ups require Clippers to pare down |url=http://www.dispatch.com/content/blogs/minor-details/2013/09/tribe-call-ups-require-clippers-pare-down.html |work=The Columbus Dispatch |date= September 1, 2013 |accessdate=October 3, 2013}}</ref> He was designated for assignment on October 2. After an outright assignment on October 7, Rapada elected free agency on October 16.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Todd |first=Jeff |title=Minor Moves: Ramirez, Bernadina, Wells, Rapada, Manship |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/10/minor-moves-ramirez-bernadina-wells-rapada-manship.html |website=MLB Trade Rumors}}</ref>

===Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim=== Rapada signed a minor league deal with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in December 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-12-05 |title=Angels sign Clay Rapada to minor-league deal |url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/angels-sign-clay-rapada-to-minor-league-deal/ |access-date=2026-02-25 |website=CBS Sports |language=en}}</ref> He was released before the end of spring training.

===Seattle Mariners=== Rapada signed a minor league deal with the Seattle Mariners in April 2014 and was assigned to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Todd |first=Jeff |title=Minor Moves: Rapada, Gimenez, Cabrera, Taylor |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/04/raul-valdes-hiroyuki-nakajima-outrighted.html |access-date=2026-02-25 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}}</ref> He pitched in 14 games, going 4–1 with a 4.12 ERA before his release on June 16.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=l_trn&lid=112&sid=l112|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415061010/http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=l_trn&lid=112&sid=l112|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 15, 2012|title=Triple-A West Transactions|website=Triple-A West}}</ref>

===Baltimore Orioles (second stint)=== On June 16, 2014, Rapada signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/mlb/news/the-orioles-sign-clay-rapada |title=The Orioles sign Clay Rapada |work=NBC Sports |first=Craig |last=Calcaterra |date=June 17, 2014}}</ref> He reported to the Triple-A Norfolk Tides. Rapada was released by the Orioles organization on August 5.

===San Francisco Giants=== On February 5, 2015, Rapada signed a minor league deal with the San Francisco Giants.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bleedingyankeeblue.blogspot.com/2015/02/clay-rapada-signs-with-giants.html|title=Bleeding Yankee Blue: CLAY RAPADA SIGNS WITH THE GIANTS!|date=February 5, 2015}}</ref>

==Philippine national team== Due to his Filipino heritage, Rapada is eligible to play for the Philippine national team. He was to participate for the Philippines at the 2013 World Baseball Classic (WBC) qualifiers in 2012 but did not participate citing personal reasons.<ref>{{cite news|title=Fil-Ams boost lineup for World Baseball Classic qualifiers; MLB champ Lincecum to receive invite|url=http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/fil-ams-boost-lineup-for-world-baseball-classic-qualifers-mlb-champ-lincecum-to-receive-invite|accessdate=February 11, 2016|publisher=InterAKTV|date=October 31, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160215202944/http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/fil-ams-boost-lineup-for-world-baseball-classic-qualifers-mlb-champ-lincecum-to-receive-invite|archive-date=February 15, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> Rapada pitched for the Philippines at the 2017 WBC qualifiers in February 2016.<ref name="2017WBCq">{{cite news|last1=Terrado|first1=Reuben|title=Former Yankees pitcher Clay Rapada heads Philippine team vying in World Baseball Classic qualifier|url=http://www.spin.ph/baseball/news/world-baseball-classic-philippines-clay-rapada-yankees|accessdate=February 11, 2016|publisher=Sports Interactive Network Philippines|date=January 28, 2016}}</ref>

==Coaching career== After the 2015 season, Rapada was hired as a pitching coach for the San Francisco Giants Low-A affiliate Augusta GreenJackets. He served in that role until 2021, when the Giants moved him to a role as the assistant pitching coordinator.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bleedingyankeeblue.blogspot.com/2016/02/clay-rapada-is-now-pitching-coach.html|title=Clay Rapada is now a pitching coach!|date=February 8, 2016|website=Bleeding Yankee Blue}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.knbr.com/2021/02/08/plenty-of-familiar-names-as-giants-announce-player-development-and-minor-league-staffs/|title=Plenty of familiar names as Giants announce player-development and minor league staffs|first=Mark W.|last=Sanchez|date=February 8, 2021|website=KNBR}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist|2}}

==External links== {{commons category|Clay Rapada}} {{Portal|Biography|Baseball}} {{Baseballstats | mlb=449060 | espn=28807 | br=r/rapadcl01 | fangraphs=4831 |brm=rapada001cla |retro=R/Prapac001}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rapada, Clay}} Category:1981 births Category:Living people Category:American people of Filipino descent Category:Sportspeople of Filipino descent Category:Baltimore Orioles players Category:Baseball players from Chesapeake, Virginia Category:Boise Hawks players Category:Chicago Cubs players Category:Columbus Clippers players Category:Cleveland Indians players Category:Daytona Cubs players Category:Detroit Tigers players Category:Iowa Cubs players Category:Lansing Lugnuts players Category:Major League Baseball pitchers Category:Mesa Solar Sox players Category:Minor league baseball coaches Category:Navegantes del Magallanes players Category:American expatriate baseball players in Venezuela Category:New York Yankees players Category:Norfolk Tides players Category:Oklahoma City RedHawks players Category:Sacramento River Cats players Category:Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders players Category:Tacoma Rainiers players Category:Texas Rangers players Category:Toledo Mud Hens players Category:Virginia State Trojans baseball players Category:West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx players