The Blue Jays have released veteran right-handed reliever Al Alburquerque from the organization, per an announcement from their Triple-A affiliate.
The well-traveled Alburquerque, who recently turned 32, was in the midst of a solid campaign in Buffalo, having pitched to a 3.77 ERA with 8.5 K/9, 2.5 BB/9, 0.94 HR/9 and a 50.6 percent ground-ball rate through 28 2/3 innings out of the Bisons’ bullpen. He enjoyed a fair amount of success in 2017, too, throwing well in Triple-A before tossing a combined 18 big league innings with a 2.50 ERA between the Royals and White Sox.
Alburquerque, as always, relied heavily on his slider in ’17 (54.5 percent), and while his strikeout rate wasn’t great in that small sample, he posted a characteristically strong 12.9 percent swinging-strike rate. In 245 innings of work at the MLB level, he’s posted a 3.16 ERA with 10.7 strikeouts per nine innings pitched, though he’s also yielded an average of five walks per nine innings in that time as well.
One of the best names in baseball, which is saying a lot. Also, even rarer, one of the few players whose last name arches over the back of their jersey.
At one point a few years ago a caller into Mike Francesa was asking something about Al Albuquerque and Mike got so pissed because he thought the caller was messing with him and nobody had that name
I think I remember that call. In fairness, I wouldn’t have believed it either considering how many pranks Mike gets thrown his way.
Reminds me of when a high school principal ordered a student to remove a Cubs jersey because it said “Fukudome” on the back and he didn’t think it was a real player.
I’ll bet Jarrod Saltalamacchia is glad he’s not the only one with an arching name.
I miss Todd Hollandsworth
His actual name might be better than my favorite alias of all time, “Ron Mexico”, that Michael Vick used when he went to get an STD test if I’m remembering correctly.
Don’t really get this move. He seems like he’s doing pretty OK? Were they expecting closer stuff or something?
It’s the Blue Jays, don’t ask questions.
Well in that case I wouldn’t mind if the Braves pick him up on a minors deal. Maybe he’ll rediscover last year’s form.
I don’t even know if he needs to “discover” seems like he’s still pitching alright. I think this is one of situations where a GM/team is outsmarting themselves.
I would hazard to guess he had an opt out if he wasn’t in the majors and did him a solid and released him early if they didn’t think he was going to get called up.
At one time… He had one of the most wicked sliders around, but he really never had much control over the thing was the problem. Really hard break on the thing, but that was several years back with detroit.
The player might have requested the release.
He has average numbers in AAA and is taking up a spot for a younger guy
Then release Murphy Smith if that’s the Jays philosophy.
It’s literally every teams philosophy.
He probably is eyeing another opportunity over seas
Perhaps Monty Montreal, Bo Boston, Dan Danville, Trent Trenton, Scott Scottsdale, Phil Philadelphia, Mo Mobile, and Lannie Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch can form their own team.
No fair lol. Welsh is a dumb language. Well so is English for that matter
I’ve been there!
Austin Austin and Louis St. Louis are also still looking for a place to play.
alberto jose albuquerque
I hope he ends up with the Rockies and they put him in AAA. Then he will be playing in Alburquerque as well.
I was thinking the same thing. That way he can be the rare player who can say he plays for the name on the front AND back of his jersey. XD
Best. Name. Ever!
I knew I should made that left turn with Al Albuquerque…
Hey Steve, why was Alburquerque released? thanks.
Guess the #scoutseyes failed you this time hey , lol
Hope everything is well family wise for the guy. Some team should pick him up.
The Red Sox should sign him. He has promise still and connection to Dave Dombrowski.
This guy made me want to tear my hair out when he played for the Tigers. He walks way too many batters, and is super inconsistent because of it. At least he has a rubber arm. He can pitch virtually every day.
How many days until he’s back in Anaheim?
Somebody better notify Mike “Sleepy”Francesa
3.16 career ERA, 3.37 career FIP, and released from Triple-A. He’s gotta be better than most of the crap Cleveland, Kansas City and Colorado are rolling out there.
I find it astonishing that CLE hasn’t sent a limo to Buffalo to pick him up yet.
I feel like he must have some attitude issues or something. He’s been released from so many teams. I also seem to remember him melting down in high leverage mlb situations quite a bit , despite his stats.