Kevin Whelan Explained

Kevin Whelan
Position:Pitcher
Birth Date:8 January 1984
Birth Place:Kerrville, Texas
Bats:Right
Throws:Right
Debutleague:MLB
Debutdate:June 10
Debutyear:2011
Debutteam:New York Yankees
Finaldate:August 11
Finalyear:2014
Finalteam:Detroit Tigers
Statleague:MLB
Stat1label:Win–loss record
Stat1value:0–0
Stat2label:Earned run average
Stat2value:9.00
Stat3label:Strikeouts
Stat3value:2
Teams:

Kevin J. Whelan (born January 8, 1984) is an American former Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher who played for the New York Yankees in 2011 and for the Detroit Tigers in 2014.

Amateur career

Whelan attended Texas A&M University, where he played for the Texas A&M Aggies baseball team. In 2004, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod Baseball League, where he was named a league all-star and received the league's Outstanding Relief Pitcher award.[1] [2] [3]

Professional career

Detroit Tigers

Whelan was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the fourth round of the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft.

New York Yankees

On November 14, 2006, Whelan was traded to the New York Yankees, along with Humberto Sánchez and Anthony Claggett, for Gary Sheffield.[4]

He was called up by the Yankees on June 10, 2011, after recording a 1–1 won–loss record with a 1.67 earned run average and 18 saves as the closer for the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees.[5] [6] He allowed four consecutive walks after recording two outs in his first ever appearance that same evening.

On January 26, 2012, he was designated for assignment to make room for Hiroki Kuroda.[7]

Cincinnati Reds

On January 3, 2013, the Cincinnati Reds signed Whelan to a minor league deal.[8]

Return to Detroit

On February 22, 2014, the Tigers signed Whelan to a minor league deal. On August 11, the Tigers purchased his contract from the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens, and he was added to the 25-man active roster.[9] Prior to being called up, Whelan had 20 saves for the Toledo Mud Hens, having allowed eight runs on 26 hits over 39 innings with 48 strikeouts.[10] In Whelan's debut with the Tigers, he pitched 1 innings, allowing three hits, and two earned runs on back-to-back home runs.[11] On August 16, Whelan was designated for assignment by the Tigers.[12] The next day on August 17, the Tigers outrighted Whelan to Triple-A.[13] He elected free agency in October 2014.[14]

Oakland Athletics

On November 1, 2014, the Oakland Athletics signed Whelan to a minor league contract.[15] He played for the Triple-A Nashville Sounds in 2015 before electing to become a free agent after the season.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2004 Wareham Gatemen . thebaseballcube.com . July 20, 2021.
  2. News: 2004 Cape Cod Baseball League postseason awards . 14 . Yarmouth Register . Yarmouth, MA . August 19, 2004 .
  3. Web site: West All-Star Roster: All-Star Game 2004 . capecodbaseball.org . May 6, 2020.
  4. Web site: Tigers deal three pitchers to Yankees for Sheffield. ESPN. November 10, 2006 . June 10, 2011.
  5. Web site: Calcaterra. Craig. The Yankees add Kevin Whelan to the bullpen. NBC Sports. June 10, 2011 . June 10, 2011.
  6. Web site: New York Yankees call up righty Kevin Whelan, option Chris Dickerson . . June 10, 2011 . March 19, 2013.
  7. JonHeyman. Jon Heyman. 162614869714157568. 26 January 2012.
    1. yankees dfa kevin whelan to make room for hiroki kuroda
    .
  8. Web site: Reds sign two righties and outfielder to Minors deals. Mark. Sheldon. MLB. January 3, 2013. January 3, 2013.
  9. Web site: Detroit Tigers Add Kevin Whelan, Ian Krol and Justin Miller; Option Blaine Hardy and Pat McCoy.
  10. Web site: Whelan grateful for chance to pitch for Tigers . . Jason . Beck . August 11, 2014 . August 11, 2014 .
  11. Web site: Tigers sloppy play costs them against Pirates . . Michael . Louden . August 11, 2014 . August 11, 2014 .
  12. Web site: Tigers call up veteran Johnson to aid 'pen . . Jason . Beck . August 17, 2014 . August 17, 2014 .
  13. Web site: Tigers reliever Kevin Whelan accepts assignment to Triple-A Toledo after being outrighted by Detroit . . James . Schmehl . August 19, 2014 . August 19, 2014 .
  14. Web site: Players Who Have Elected Minor League Free Agency. Polishuk. Mark. mlbtraderumors.com. October 6, 2014. October 6, 2014.
  15. Web site: Athletics sign Kevin Whelan to minor-league deal. R.J.. White. CBSSports. November 1, 2014. November 1, 2014.