Jonathan Albaladejo
PositionPitcher / Coach / Manager
TeamTrois-Rivières Aigles
BatsRight
ThrowsRight
Birth dateOctober 30, 1982 (age 43)
Birth placeSan Juan, Puerto Rico
DebutleagueMLB
DebutdateSeptember 5
Debutyear2007
DebutteamWashington Nationals
Debut2leagueNPB
Debut2dateApril 14
Debut2year2011
Debut2teamYomiuri Giants
FinalleagueMLB
FinaldateJuly 20
Finalyear2012
FinalteamArizona Diamondbacks
Final2leagueNPB
Final2dateOctober 16
Final2year2011
Final2teamYomiuri Giants
StatleagueMLB
Stat1labelWin–loss record
Stat1value6–3
Stat2labelEarned run average
Stat2value4.34
Stat3labelStrikeouts
Stat3value56
Stat2leagueNPB
Stat21labelWin–loss record
Stat21value2–2
Stat22labelEarned run average
Stat22value2.45
Stat23labelStrikeouts
Stat23value44
Teams

Jonathan Albaladejo Santana (/ˌælbələˈdeɪhoʊ/ AL-bə-lə-DAY-hoh; born October 30, 1982) is a Puerto Rican professional baseball coach and former pitcher who is currently the manager for the Trois-Rivières Aigles of the Frontier League. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Washington Nationals, New York Yankees, and Arizona Diamondbacks, as well in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Yomiuri Giants.

Playing career

Pittsburgh Pirates

Albaladejo was selected by the San Francisco Giants in the 34th round (1,021st overall) of the 2000 Major League Baseball draft, but did not sign.[1] In the following year he was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 19th round (564th overall), and signed on June 6, 2001.

He spent a number of years in the minors in the Pirates system as a starting pitcher, and in 2005 was converted to a reliever. The Pirates released him on April 25, 2007.[2]

Washington Nationals

On May 3, 2007, Albaladejo signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals.[2] He played most of the season for the Double-A Harrisburg Senators, compiling a 4.17 earned run average in 21 appearances.[3] He moved up to the Triple-A Columbus Clippers and finished the season extremely well, posting an ERA of 0.78 in 14 appearances. When rosters expanded in September, the Nationals, then leading the league in innings pitched by relievers, brought him up.[4]

On September 5, 2007, Albaladejo made his Major League debut. In the top of the third inning, in a game against the Florida Marlins, Tim Redding was injured by a batted ball and needed to be replaced. Albaladejo entered the game with two men on and one out, and allowed a ground ball (where an inherited runner scored) and a pop up. In the fourth inning, Albaladejo struck out the side, and then was relieved.[5]

New York Yankees

On December 4, 2007, he was traded to the New York Yankees for relief pitcher Tyler Clippard.[6][7]

He made the Yankees' Opening Day roster in 2008,[8] but only pitched in seven games while recording a 3.95 ERA.[3] He suffered a stress fracture in his elbow on May 9, 2008, and was ruled out for the season in June.[9] Albaladejo again made the Yankees' major league roster to start the 2009 season.[10] After posting an ERA of 6.00 in 18 appearances through May 22, he was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to make room on the roster for pitcher Chien-Ming Wang.[11] In 17 innings at Triple-A, he compiled a 1.59 ERA and 0.65 WHIP, earning a promotion back to the majors when Wang was placed on the disabled list on July 5, 2009.[12] Albaladejo was sent back down to Scranton on July 10, 2009, to make room for Mark Melancon.[13]

Albaladejo began the 2010 season with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. After a poor spring training, Albaladejo transitioned from his two-seam fastball to his four-seam fastball, which allowed him more control.[14] He was named International League Pitcher of the Week from July 5–12, and from July 12–18,[15] and pitched in the Triple-A All-Star Game.[16] After saving 31 games in 32 chances with a 0.96 ERA, he was called up to the Yankees on July 20.[17] However, he was optioned back to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on July 24 to make room for Sergio Mitre.[18]

Albaladejo set an International League single-season record for saves in 2010 with 43 (the previous record was 38).[19][20] He was named to the International League Postseason All-Star team.[21][22] He was called up by the Yankees when the rosters expanded at the start of September and pitched 11 1⁄3 innings for the team during the 2010 season, recording a 3.97 ERA.[3] During the offseason, Albaladejo asked the Yankees to release him so he could pursue a career in Japan.[23]

Yomiuri Giants

Albaladejo signed a one-year contract with the Yomiuri Giants of Japan's Central League.[24] In 46 games in Japan, he was 2–2 with a 2.45 ERA.[3]

Arizona Diamondbacks

The Arizona Diamondbacks signed Albaladejo on December 13, 2011.[25] In 49 games with the Triple-A Reno Aces, Albaladejo recorded 25 saves and struck out 60 in 56 2⁄3 innings of work. He was called up by the Diamondbacks at the end of the minor league season,[26] and posted an ERA of 9.00 in three games.[3] On October 25, 2012, Albaladejo was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to Reno.[27]

Miami Marlins

On December 16, 2012, Albaladejo signed a minor league deal with the Miami Marlins.[28] He spent the entirety of the 2013 season with their Triple-A affiliate, the New Orleans Zephyrs, recording a 3.80 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 73 1⁄3 innings. He was granted free agency after the season.[3]

Broncos de Reynosa

On April 1, 2016, Albaladejo signed with the Broncos de Reynosa of the Mexican League.[29] He was released on April 9.[30]

Bridgeport Bluefish

On April 19, 2016, Albaladejo signed with the Bridgeport Bluefish of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He was named an All-Star and won Pitcher of the Year during the 2016 season after setting the record for most wins by a Bluefish player (15) and most strikeouts in the league (164). Albaladejo re-signed with Bridgeport for the 2017 season.[31]

New York Mets

On July 25, 2017, Albaladejo signed a minor league deal with the New York Mets.[32] He made 9 appearances (8 starts) for the Triple–A Las Vegas 51s, logging a 4.50 ERA with 36 strikeouts in 52 innings of work. He was named the PCL's Pitcher of the Week for the week of July 24 after throwing 11 1/3 scoreless innings.[33] Albaladejo elected free agency following the season on November 6.[34]

Lancaster Barnstormers

On November 1, 2017, Albaladejo was drafted by the Lancaster Barnstormers in the Bridgeport Bluefish dispersal draft. On February 26, 2018, he signed with the team for the 2018 season.[35] Albaladejo re-signed for the 2019 season as a player-coach.[36] He coached Bryan Harper, the older brother of Bryce Harper.[37]

Coaching career

Albaladejo retired as an active player following the 2019 season and was later hired as bullpen coach for the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League.[38]

He managed the Tupper Lake Riverpigs of the independent Empire Baseball League in 2020 and 2021.[39] He was the pitching coach for the Empire State Greys during the 2022 season where they were a road team for the Frontier League.[40]

On February 12, 2024, Albaladejo was announced as the pitching coach for the Lake Erie Crushers of the Frontier League.[41]

On October 17, 2024 Albaladejo was named the Manager of the Trois-Rivières Aigles of the Frontier League.[42]

See also

References

  1. ^ "2000 San Francisco Giants Draft Class - The Baseball Cube". TheBaseballCube.com. Retrieved 2023-11-26.
  2. ^ "Jonathan Albaladejo Trades and Transactions by Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
  3. ^ "Jonathan Albaladejo Minor, Winter, Japanese, Mexican & Independent Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  4. ^ Heininger, Claire (2007-12-06). "It's official: Yanks trade Clippard to Nationals". NJ.com. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
  5. ^ "September 5, 2007 Florida Marlins at Washington Nationals Box Score and Play by Play". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. September 5, 2007. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
  6. ^ Hoch, Bryan (December 4, 2007). "Clippard dealt to Nats for Albaladejo". New York Yankees. MLB.com. Archived December 5, 2007 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 4, 2007.
  7. ^ Putterman, Alex (November 2, 2015). "Revisiting the Yankees' Tyler Clippard-for-Jonathan Albaladejo trade". Baseball Prospectus. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  8. ^ Nekoukar, Dave (2008-03-29). "Opening Day, 2008: The Roster". nj. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
  9. ^ "Hughes undergoes X-rays on injured rib". ESPN. June 12, 2008. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  10. ^ "Long and short of it, Joe Girardi's bullpen plan may change". New York Daily News. 2009-03-29. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
  11. ^ "Yankees put Wang in bullpen". ESPN. May 22, 2009. Retrieved May 22, 2009.
  12. ^ "Yankees' Wang goes on DL with shoulder injury". Deseret News. July 5, 2009. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  13. ^ Carig, Marc (July 11, 2009). "Notebook: Reliever Mark Melancon excited for second chance with New York Yankees". NJ.com. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  14. ^ Jennings, Chad (July 20, 2010). "Pregame notes: Spring training blessing in disguise | The Lohud Yankees Blog". The LoHud Yankees Blog. Archived July 22, 2010 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 22, 2010.
  15. ^ Jackson, Josh (July 19, 2010). "Pitchers of the Week | MiLB.com News". Minor League Baseball. Archived July 22, 2010 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 22, 2010.
  16. ^ "Albaladejo selected IL pitcher of the week | The Times Leader, Wilkes-Barre, PA". Times Leader. July 12, 2010. Archived from the original on July 17, 2010. Retrieved July 22, 2010.
  17. ^ Collins, Donnie (July 21, 2010). "Closer Albaladejo gets call to New York - Sports". The Times-Tribune. Retrieved July 22, 2010.
  18. ^ "Transactions | New York Yankees". New York Yankees. MLB.com. July 24, 2010. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
  19. ^ "Albaladejo ties IL saves record". The Scranton Times-Tribune. Scranton/Wilkes Barre Yankees Blog. August 13, 2010. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
  20. ^ "International League notebook". 2010-08-31. Archived August 31, 2010 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
  21. ^ "Durham's Johnson named 2010 IL MVP; Hellickson, Freeman & Montoyo round out award winners". Minor League Baseball. August 31, 2010. Archived July 14, 2011 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 31, 2010.
  22. ^ "Triple-A All-Star Game: IL stars slip past PCL 2-1". Deseret News. 2010-07-15. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
  23. ^ Jennings, Chad (November 19, 2010). "Yankees release Jonathan Albaladejo | The Lohud Yankees Blog". The LoHud Yankees Blog. Archived November 22, 2010 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved September 25, 2011.
  24. ^ Hoch, Bryan (November 19, 2010). "Released by Yanks, Albaladejo off to Japan | MLB.com: News". MLB.com. Archived November 5, 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved September 25, 2011.
  25. ^ Benvie, Christopher (December 14, 2011). "Jonathan Albaladejo Signs with Arizona Diamondbacks". Bleacher Report. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  26. ^ "Arizona calls up Albaladejo, sends down Bauer". Yahoo News. 2012-07-18. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
  27. ^ "Outrighted To Triple-A: Berken, Albaladejo, Ransom". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
  28. ^ A., Nate (December 17, 2012). "Marlins sign 3". MLB Daily Dish. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  29. ^ "Ex ligamayorista Albaladejo refuerza a Broncos de Reynosa" (in es-MX). El Mañana. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
  30. ^ "Jonathan Albaladejo Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
  31. ^ "Atlantic League Professional Baseball: News". www.atlanticleague.com. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
  32. ^ Borek, Jesse (July 24, 2017). "Mets sign Jonathan Albaladejo to minor-league deal". FanRag Sports. Archived November 9, 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  33. ^ Review-Journal, Betsy Helfand Las Vegas (2017-07-31). "Las Vegas 51s' Jonathan Albaladejo given PCL weekly honor | Aviators/Baseball | Sports". Retrieved 2023-11-27.
  34. ^ "Minor League Free Agents 2017". baseballamerica.com. November 7, 2017. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  35. ^ "Former Atlantic League Pitcher of the Year Signs with Lancaster". Lancaster Barnstormers. February 26, 2018. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  36. ^ "ALBALADEJO NAMED PLAYER/COACH, DE LA ROSA RETURNS". Lancaster Barnstormers. February 20, 2019. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  37. ^ Brookover, Bob (2019-05-23). "Bryce Harper's brother makes $2,000 a month playing independent ball in Lancaster. He loves it.". Inquirer. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
  38. ^ "Afinará Howard Johnson bateo de Toros de Tijuana" (in Spanish). Minor League Baseball. January 6, 2020. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  39. ^ "Jonathan Albaladejo – Tupper Lake Riverpigs". Retrieved 2023-11-27.
  40. ^ "Empire State Greys – Empire State Greys". 2022-09-28. Archived September 28, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
  41. ^ "Crushers Coaching Staff Update". lakeeriecrushers.com. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  42. ^ "Ambassador Alabaldejo to manage Aigles in MLB Partnered Frontier League – Empire Baseball League". October 17, 2024.