David Purcey Explained

David Purcey
Position:Pitcher
Birth Date:22 April 1982
Birth Place:St. Charles, Illinois, U.S.
Bats:Left
Throws:Left
Debutleague:MLB
Debutdate:April 18
Debutyear:2008
Debutteam:Toronto Blue Jays
Finalleague:MLB
Finaldate:September 20
Finalyear:2013
Finalteam:Chicago White Sox
Debut2league:CPBL
Debut2date:March 26
Debut2year:2015
Debut2team:Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions
Final2league:CPBL
Final2date:April 26
Final2year:2015
Final2team:Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions
Statleague:MLB
Stat1label:Win–loss record
Stat1value:7–13
Stat2label:Earned run average
Stat2value:4.98
Stat3label:Strikeouts
Stat3value:174
Stat2league:CPBL
Stat21label:Win–loss record
Stat21value:0–1
Stat22label:Earned run average
Stat22value:4.87
Stat23label:Strikeouts
Stat23value:19
Teams:

David Kent Purcey (born April 22, 1982) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays, Oakland Athletics, Detroit Tigers and Chicago White Sox.

Amateur career

Purcey attended high school at Trinity Christian Academy in Addison, Texas, and then attended the University of Oklahoma, where he played for the Sooners baseball team. In 2003, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Orleans Cardinals of the Cape Cod Baseball League and was named a league all-star.[1] [2]

Professional career

Draft

Purcey originally was drafted in the 2001 MLB draft by the Seattle Mariners in the 20th round. He then was drafted again by the New York Yankees in the 17th round of the 2003 MLB draft, and finally drafted once again by Toronto in the first round (16th overall) during the 2004 MLB draft.[3]

Toronto Blue Jays

Purcey made his major league debut on April 18, 2008, starting against the Detroit Tigers and allowing one earned run over innings.[4] He was returned to the minor leagues after two major league appearances, but was recalled to the Blue Jays in July, and ended the 2008 season in the team's starting rotation. On August 27, 2008, Purcey started against the Tampa Bay Rays and pitched his first career major league complete game. He recorded 11 strikeouts and scattered five hits through eight innings of work.[5]

Following spring training 2009, Purcey earned the third spot in the rotation, but switched spots with Jesse Litsch to separate the left-handers.[6] Purcey was second in the rotation until May 1, 2009, when he was assigned to the Toronto Blue Jays AAA affiliate Las Vegas 51s. Purcey went on to split the remainder of the season between the Blue Jays and Las Vegas. He posted a record of 1–3 and a 6.19 ERA in nine starts with Toronto in 2009.[7] He often struggled with his command, which improved somewhat with Las Vegas.

On May 24, 2010, Purcey was recalled by Toronto and moved to the bullpen as a relief pitcher after Dana Eveland was designated for assignment.[8] On July 26, 2010, Purcey recorded his first major league save against the Baltimore Orioles in a 9–5 win.[9]

He was designated for assignment on April 12, 2011.

Oakland Athletics

On April 18, 2011, Purcey was traded to the Oakland Athletics in exchange for minor league relief pitcher Danny Farquhar.[10] [11] Purcey was acquired after injuries to Rich Harden and Dallas Braden.[12]

Detroit Tigers

On May 27, 2011, Purcey was traded to the Detroit Tigers for Scott Sizemore.[13] Purcey was designated for assignment on August 2, he cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens on August 10 .[14] He elected free agency following the season on November 2.

Philadelphia Phillies

On December 9, 2011, Purcey signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. He also received an invitation to spring training.[15] Purcey spent the year with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, going 1–4 with a 4.37 ERA in 47 games (one start) while striking out 63 in 57.2 innings pitched.[16] He became a free agent following the season on November 2.

Chicago White Sox

On November 21, 2012, Purcey signed a minor league deal with the Chicago White Sox.[17] He started the 2013 season with the Triple-A Charlotte Knights. On July 3, 2013, his contract was purchased by the White Sox to replace Jesse Crain who was placed on the disabled list.[18] While with the White Sox, Purcey suffered a strained ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow during the last week of the 2013 season. He was outrighted to Charlotte on October 18, 2013.[19]

The White Sox signed Purcey to a minor league contract with spring training invitation on November 8, 2013.[20] On May 12, 2014, Purcey was released by the White Sox.[21]

Somerset Patriots

On July 18, 2014, Purcey signed with the Somerset Patriots of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He became a free agent following the season. He appeared in 9 games (7 starts) 39.2 innings going 3-0 with a 2.72 ERA with 36 strikeouts.

Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions

On March 2, 2015, Purcey signed with the Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions of the Chinese Professional Baseball League. He was released on May 31.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2003 Orleans Cardinals. live. July 20, 2021. The Baseball Cube. https://web.archive.org/web/20210807011257/http://www.thebaseballcube.com/college/summer/stats.asp?Y=2003&T=Orleans_Cardinals . August 7, 2021 .
  2. Web site: East All-Star Roster: All-Star Game 2003. live. May 6, 2020. Cape Cod Baseball League. https://web.archive.org/web/20200815104743/http://capecodbaseball.org/news/asgnews/index.html?article_id=534 . August 15, 2020 .
  3. Web site: David Purcey Stats. live. December 20, 2021. Baseball-Reference.com. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20090421043120/http://www.baseball-reference.com:80/players/p/purceda01.shtml . April 21, 2009 .
  4. Web site: Bastian. Jordan. April 19, 2008. Accardo, 'pen can't hold lead in loss. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20080421131101/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20080418&content_id=2547394&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor. April 21, 2008. December 20, 2021. Toronto Blue Jays. MLB.com.
  5. Web site: Bastian. Jordan. August 27, 2008. Purcey fans 11 as Jays lose to Rays. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20080831160936/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20080827&content_id=3378435&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor. August 31, 2008. December 20, 2021. Toronto Blue Jays. MLB.com.
  6. Web site: April 6, 2009. Blue Jays hoping for happy ending to 33rd opening day. live. December 20, 2021. CBC.ca. https://web.archive.org/web/20211220084158/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/blue-jays-hoping-for-happy-ending-to-33rd-opening-day-1.810729 . December 20, 2021 .
  7. Web site: David Purcey Stats. live. December 20, 2021. Baseball-Reference.com. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20090421043120/http://www.baseball-reference.com:80/players/p/purceda01.shtml . April 21, 2009 .
  8. Web site: Bastian. Jordan. May 24, 2010. Eveland designated for assignment by Jays. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304074847/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/10387138/. March 4, 2016. December 20, 2021. Toronto Blue Jays. MLB.com.
  9. Web site: July 26, 2010. Blue Jays launch 3 homers to beat Orioles for 10th straight time. dead. December 20, 2021. ESPN. Associated Press. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20211220084144/https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/300726114 . December 20, 2021 .
  10. Web site: April 18, 2011. Report: Jays trade Purcey to A's for Farquhar. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20121011144312/http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/42644479/ns/sports-player_news/. October 11, 2012. October 11, 2012. NBC Sports.
  11. Web site: Dierkes. Tim. April 18, 2011. Athletics Acquire David Purcey. live. December 20, 2021. MLB Trade Rumors. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20110419195052/http://www.mlbtraderumors.com:80/2011/04/athletics-acquire-david-purcey.html . April 19, 2011 .
  12. Web site: Dierkes. Tim. April 18, 2011. Athletics Acquire David Purcey. live. December 20, 2021. MLB Trade Rumors. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20110419195052/http://www.mlbtraderumors.com:80/2011/04/athletics-acquire-david-purcey.html . April 19, 2011 .
  13. Web site: Nicholson-Smith. Ben. May 27, 2011. Tigers Acquire David Purcey For Scott Sizemore. live. May 28, 2011. MLB Trade Rumors. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20110530012949/http://www.mlbtraderumors.com:80/2011/05/tigers-acquire-david-purcey-for-scott-sizemore.html? . May 30, 2011 .
  14. Web site: August 2, 2011. Tigers designate reliever Purcey for assignment. live. December 20, 2021. ESPN. Associated Press. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20211220084152/https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/6828326/detroit-tigers-designate-david-purcey-assignment . December 20, 2021 .
  15. Web site: Iott. Chris. December 10, 2011. Phillies sign former Tigers pitcher David Purcey to minor-league deal. live. December 20, 2021. Michigan Live. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20211220084152/https://www.mlive.com/tigers/2011/12/phillies_sign_former_tigers_pi.html . December 20, 2021 .
  16. Web site: David Purcey Minor, Fall, Winter, Independent & CPBL Leagues Statistics & History. live. December 20, 2021. Baseball-Reference.com. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20170710203515/http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=purcey001dav . July 10, 2017 .
  17. Web site: Nicholson-Smith. Ben. November 21, 2012. Minor Moves: Ka'aihue, Hinshaw, Luna, Pirates. live. November 21, 2012. MLB Trade Rumors. https://web.archive.org/web/20121122211102/http://www.mlbtraderumors.com:80/2012/11/pirates-to-sign-six-to-minor-league-deals.html . November 22, 2012 .
  18. Web site: Padilla. Doug. July 3, 2013. Deal breakers? Sox put Konerko, Crain on DL. live. December 20, 2021. ESPN. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20211220084158/https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/9448614/paul-konerko-jesse-crain-chicago-white-sox-put-disabled-list . December 20, 2021 .
  19. Web site: Kane. Colleen. October 18, 2013. White Sox outright reliever Purcey to Charlotte. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140603144033/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-10-18/sports/chi-white-sox-outright-david-purcey-20131018_1_triple-a-charlotte-chicago-white-reliever. June 3, 2014. October 20, 2013. Chicago Tribune.
  20. Web site: Todd. Jeff. November 16, 2013. Minor Moves: Purcey, Lowe, Moore, Miller, Startup. live. December 20, 2021. MLB Trade Rumors. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20131118072118/http://www.mlbtraderumors.com:80/2013/11/minor-moves-berken-maday-durham-diaz-ibarra-johnson.html . November 18, 2013 .
  21. Web site: Mello. Igor. May 12, 2014. White Sox make several changes to minor-league roster. live. December 20, 2021. CBS Sports. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20211220133143/https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/white-sox-make-several-changes-to-minor-league-roster/ . December 20, 2021 .