Alfredo Aceves Explained

Alfredo Aceves
Position:Pitcher
Birth Date:8 December 1982
Birth Place:San Luis Río Colorado, Sonora, Mexico
Bats:Right
Throws:Right
Debutleague:MLB
Debutdate:31 August
Debutyear:2008
Debutteam:New York Yankees
Finalleague:MLB
Finaldate:2 June
Finalyear:2014
Finalteam:New York Yankees
Statleague:MLB
Stat1label:Win–loss record
Stat1value:31–16
Stat2label:Earned run average
Stat2value:3.83
Stat3label:Strikeouts
Stat3value:282
Teams:
Awards:

Alfredo Aceves Martínez (born 8 December 1982) is a Mexican former professional baseball pitcher. He pitched in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox.

Aceves used a fastball, which could reach the mid 90s, a curveball, a changeup, and a cut fastball. He was known for his control and his ability to throw any pitch in any count.[1]

Career

Early career

Aceves was signed by the Toronto Blue Jays as an amateur free agent in . He made ten starts in the Dominican Summer League that year. However, Aceves felt isolated, and when the Blue Jays assigned him to stay in the DSL for, Aceves stayed in Mexico, and his contract was purchased by the Yucatán Leones of the Mexican League.[2] Aceves pitched for Yucatán and Sultanes de Monterrey for the next six seasons.

New York Yankees

Yankees scout Lee Sigman followed Aceves in the Mexican League, feeling he could achieve similar success as Teddy Higuera, who Sigman had signed for the Milwaukee Brewers.[2] Feeling that he had developed well in the Mexican League, the Yankees purchased Aceves, along with Manny Banuelos and two other players, for $450,000 during the 2007–08 offseason.[2] [3] He began with the Single-A Advanced Tampa Yankees. He was quickly promoted to the Double-A Trenton Thunder and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees. He was named Eastern League pitcher of the week for the week ending 25 May 2008.[4]

After going a combined 8–6 with a 2.62 earned run average (ERA) on the three Yankee farm teams, Aceves was called up to the Yankees on 28 August, . On 31 August, Aceves made his Yankee and major league debut, pitching two scoreless innings in relief as the Yankees lost to the Blue Jays, 6–2.[5]

After pitching effectively through his first few relief appearances, Aceves was moved to the rotation in replacement of Darrell Rasner.[6] In his first career start, he pitched seven innings of one-run ball with two strikeouts against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, earning the win.[7]

After starting the season in the minors, Aceves rejoined the Yankees on 4 May.[8] Due to his ability to pitch effectively in any situation, Aceves has drawn comparisons to former Yankee reliever and spot starter Ramiro Mendoza.[9]

Aceves made ten relief appearances in 2010 before succumbing to a strained lower back that ended his season. He suffered a broken collarbone in an off-season bicycle accident.[10] He was non-tendered after the season.[11]

Boston Red Sox

Aceves was signed to a major league deal by the Boston Red Sox on 8 February 2011.[12] On 21 April, he was optioned to the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox to make room for Matt Albers on the roster.[13] On 6 May, Aceves was called back up, and on 16 May, he won his first game with the Red Sox.[14] Between then and 1 September, Aceves had a 9–1 record out of the bullpen for Boston.

After an injury to Andrew Bailey, Aceves was named the acting closer for the beginning of the 2012 season,[15] but had a slow start, surrendering the game-winning hit on Opening Day and allowing a game-tying home run in the ninth inning of the third game of the season. In late August, once Bailey returned from his injury, he took the closer role back. Aceves also had a year-long feud with manager Bobby Valentine that resulted in a brief suspension. There were also multiple on- and off-field confrontations.[16]

After five games in 2013, which included three starts, Aceves was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket on 25 April two days after giving away eight runs in innings against the Oakland Athletics.[17] Aceves was recalled on 24 May for a one-off start against the Philadelphia Phillies.[18] Despite the win, he was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket on 28 May.[19] He was recalled again on 12 June,[20] and returned to Pawtucket the next day. He was recalled on 7 July when Andrew Miller suffered a year-ending foot injury.[21] He was optioned three days later.[22] On 14 July, Aceves was outrighted off the 40-man roster after clearing waivers.[23] He elected free agency on 4 October.

Baltimore Orioles

Aceves signed a minor league deal with the Baltimore Orioles in January 2014.[24] Aceves took a short break from 2014 Spring training to return to Mexico to obtain a work visa.[25] After learning that he would not make the Orioles roster near the end of Spring training, Aceves elected to opt out of his contract, making him a free agent.[26]

New York Yankees (second stint)

Aceves signed a minor league deal with the Yankees on 28 March 2014.[27] He received a promotion to the major leagues on 3 May,[28] [29] and was designated for assignment on 4 June.[30] On 3 July, he was suspended for 50 games for failing a drug test for recreational drugs.[31] He was released on 27 August.[32]

Sultanes de Monterrey

Aceves signed a minor league deal with the San Francisco Giants on 7 March 2015.[33] The Giants assigned him to the Sultanes de Monterrey of the Mexican League for the 2015 season.[34] [35] He was suspended for the remainder of the season in June for his confrontation with an umpire.[36] In 2015 he pitched in 11 games 10 starts and threw 53 innings going 3-4 with a 3.40 ERA and 25 strikeouts. He resigned on 5 April 2015. In 2016 he made 10 starts throwing 56.2 innings going 4-3 with a 3.81 ERA and 29 strikeouts. He was released on 16 May 2017 after struggling in 3 starts 11.1 innings going 0-0 with a 6.35 ERA and 6 strikeouts.[37]

Saraperos de Saltillo

On 19 May 2017, Aceves signed with the Saraperos de Saltillo of the Mexican Baseball League. He was released on 11 July 2017. In 8 games 7 starts and 39.1 innings he struggled going 1-5 with a 6.41 ERA and 18 strikeouts.

Personal life

Aceves married his wife Arley in November 2008, after proposing to her during a Trenton Thunder game during the 2008 season.[2] [38] His father, Alfredo Aceves Sr., was a first baseman in the Mexican League. His older brother, Jonathan Aceves, was a minor league catcher in the Chicago White Sox organization, for the Naranjeros de Hermosillo in the Mexican Pacific League and for the Saraperos de Saltillo of the Mexican League. Aceves wears #91, a number worn by Dennis Rodman, whom Aceves admires.[2] Aceves' son Apollo was born on 1 August 2013.[39]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Kepner. Tyler. 4 June 2008. Name to Remember in the Yankees' Farm System: Alfredo Aceves. The New York Times. 23 April 2010.
  2. News: Kepner. Tyler. 8 July 2009. Aceves Excels on the Mound With a Quirky Sort of Artistry. The New York Times. 8 July 2009.
  3. News: Harper. John. 24 February 2011. Yankees left-handed pitching prospect Manny Banuelos is turning heads at spring training. New York Daily News. New York. https://web.archive.org/web/20110226055947/http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/2011/02/24/2011-02-24_yankees_big_on_lil_lefty.html. 10 March 2011. 26 February 2011.
  4. Web site: 27 May 2008. Aceves Named EL Pitcher of the Week. 27 May 2008. Our Sports Central.
  5. Web site: Hoch. Bryan. 31 August 2008. Yankees hobbled in homestand finale. https://web.archive.org/web/20080904071425/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20080831&content_id=3395959&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy. 4 September 2008. 16 June 2021. New York Yankees.
  6. News: Abraham. Peter. 5 September 2008. Game 141: Yankees at Mariners. LoHud Yankees Blog. The Journal News. dead. 5 September 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080914054647/http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2008/09/05/game-141-yankees-at-mariners/. 14 September 2008.
  7. Web site: Hoch. Bryan. 10 September 2008. Yanks ride Aceves past Angels. https://web.archive.org/web/20080914080807/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20080909&content_id=3447421&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy. 14 September 2008. 16 June 2021. New York Yankees.
  8. News: Abraham. Peter. 4 May 2009. Aceves Here for Claggett. LoHud Yankees Blog. The Journal News. dead. 4 May 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090507094120/http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2009/05/04/aceves-here-for-claggett/. 7 May 2009.
  9. News: Balsamini. Dean. 6 July 2009. Aceves stars in Yankees 10, Blue Jays 8, slugfest. Staten Island Advance. 6 July 2009.
  10. News: 1 December 2010. Alfredo Aceves Bicycle Accident: Yankees Relief Pitcher Breaks Collar Bone. Huffington Post. https://web.archive.org/web/20101204155709/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/01/alfredo-aceves-bicycle-accident_n_790691.html. 4 December 2010. 4 December 2010.
  11. Web site: Hoch. Bryan. 2 December 2010. Yankees cut loose Aceves, Moseley. https://web.archive.org/web/20131023053536/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101201&content_id=16236890. 23 October 2013. 23 October 2013. MLB.com.
  12. Web site: Drellich. Evan. 8 February 2011. Red Sox sign Aceves to Major League deal. https://web.archive.org/web/20131023053542/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110208&content_id=16597514. 23 October 2013. 23 October 2013. MLB.com.
  13. Web site: 21 April 2011. Red Sox Activate Matt Albers From 15-Day Disabled List, Option Alfredo Aceves to Pawtucket. 16 June 2021. NESN. en-US.
  14. Web site: 16 May 2011. Adrian Gonzalez's Walk-Off Double Leads Red Sox to Victory Over Orioles. 16 June 2021. The Register Citizen. en-US.
  15. Web site: Rosecrans. C. Trent. 4 April 2012. Red Sox name Alfredo Aceves closer. 16 June 2021. CBS Sports. en.
  16. Web site: 13 September 2012 . Alfredo Aceves Adds New Chapter To Ongoing Feud With Bobby Valentine - CBS Boston . 26 November 2023 . www.cbsnews.com . en-US.
  17. Web site: Silva. Drew. 25 April 2013. Red Sox option Alfredo Aceves to Triple-A Pawtucket. 16 June 2021. NBC Sports. en-US.
  18. Web site: 24 May 2013. Alfredo Aceves and Jose Iglesias Recalled to Boston. 16 June 2021. Minor League Baseball. en.
  19. Web site: Buchanan. Ben. 28 May 2013. Morales activated, Aceves optioned to Pawtucket. 16 June 2021. Over the Monster. SB Nation. en.
  20. Web site: 12 June 2013. Red Sox recall Aceves from Triple-A Pawtucket. 12 June 2013. Sportsnet. Associated Press.
  21. Web site: Arritt. Dan. 7 July 2013. Red Sox place Andrew Miller on DL. 7 July 2013. ESPN.
  22. Web site: 10 July 2013. Red Sox option Webster, Aceves to Pawtucket. 16 June 2021. Fox News. en-US.
  23. Web site: Britton. Tim. 14 July 2013. Red Sox outright Aceves. https://web.archive.org/web/20130820230822/http://www.providencejournal.com/sports/red-sox/content/20130714-red-sox-outright-aceves.ece. 20 August 2013. 20 August 2013. Providence Journal.
  24. Web site: Doyle. Ricky. 15 January 2014. Report: Alfredo Aceves Signs Minor League Contract With Baltimore Orioles. 16 June 2021. NESN. en-US.
  25. Web site: Dubroff. Rich. 21 February 2014. Aceves leaves Orioles to take care of visa. https://web.archive.org/web/20140226170301/http://www.csnbaltimore.com/blog/orioles-talk/aceves-leaves-orioles-take-care-visa. 26 February 2014. 26 February 2014. CSN Baltimore.
  26. Web site: Short. D. J.. 28 March 2014. Alfredo Aceves to opt out of contract with Orioles. 17 June 2021. NBC Sports. en-US.
  27. Web site: Baer. Bill. 28 March 2014. Yankees sign Alfredo Aceves to a minor league deal. 20 October 2015. NBC Sports.
  28. Web site: Boland. Erik. 3 May 2014. Yankees happy to have versatile Alfredo Aceves back. 20 October 2015. Newsday.
  29. Web site: Hutchinson. Dave. 3 May 2014. Yankees sign Alfredo Aceves; designate Chris Leroux for assignment. 20 October 2015. NJ.com.
  30. Web site: Axisa. Mike. 4 June 2014. Bullpen Shakeup: Yankees drop Aceves and Claiborne, add Ramirez and LeBlanc. 20 October 2015. River Avenue Blues.
  31. Web site: Rush. Doug. 3 July 2014. New York Yankees' Alfredo Aceves Suspended 50 Games for Failed Drug Violation. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924125504/http://www.sportsmedia101.com/newyorkyankees/2014/07/03/new-york-yankees-alfredo-aceves-suspended-50-games-for-failed-drug-violation/. 24 September 2015. 20 October 2015. Sports Media 101.
  32. Web site: TanyaAnderson . 27 August 2014 . Lineup vs. DET - Young signed to minor league deal . 26 November 2023 . Pinstripe Alley . en.
  33. Web site: Short. D. J.. 7 March 2015. Giants sign right-hander Alfredo Aceves. 20 October 2015. NBC Sports.
  34. Web site: 20 March 2015. Sultanes de Monterrey. – ALFREDO ACEVES INICIARÁ CON SULTANES. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160305173358/http://www.sultanes.com.mx/index.php/todas-las-noticias/1924-alfredo-aceves-iniciara-con-sultanes.html. 5 March 2016. 20 October 2015. Sultanes de Monterrey. es.
  35. Web site: Aceves, a gusto con Monterrey. https://web.archive.org/web/20150529062216/http://yucatan.com.mx/deportes/futbol-nacional/aceves-gusto-con-monterrey. dead. 29 May 2015. 22 March 2015. El Diario de Yucatán. es. 20 October 2015.
  36. Web site: 22 June 2015. Suspenden a pitcher Aceves por dar cabezazo al umpire. 20 October 2015. Excélsior. es.
  37. Web site: Alfredo Aceves Stats, Fantasy & News . 26 November 2023 . MLB.com . en.
  38. Web site: Abraham. Peter. 2 December 2008. Good Times for Alfredo Aceves. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20081206042859/http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2008/12/02/good-times-for-alfredo-aceves/. 6 December 2008. 2 December 2008. LoHud Yankees Blog. The Journal News.
  39. Web site: 2 August 2013 . Report: Alfredo Aceves Names Newborn Son Apollo The First Aceves . 26 November 2023 . NESN.com . en-US.