Adam Plutko

Adam Plutko
Plutko with the Baltimore Orioles
Minnesota Twins
Pitcher
Born: (1991-10-03) October 3, 1991 (age 33)
Upland, California, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Professional debut
MLB: September 24, 2016, for the Cleveland Indians
KBO: April 2, 2022, for the LG Twins
MLB statistics
(through 2021 season)
Win–loss record14–14
Earned run average5.39
Strikeouts200
KBO statistics
(through 2023 season)
Win–loss record26-8
Earned run average2.40
Strikeouts250
Teams
Career highlights and awards
KBO

Adam Gregory Plutko (/ˈplʌtkoʊ/ PLUHT-koh;[1] born October 3, 1991) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Minnesota Twins organization. He attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he played college baseball for the UCLA Bruins. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cleveland Indians and Baltimore Orioles, and in the KBO League for the LG Twins.

Amateur career

Plutko attended Glendora High School in Glendora, California, and then enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).[2] Though he was selected by the Houston Astros in the sixth round of the 2010 Major League Baseball draft, he opted not to sign with the Astros.[3]

At UCLA, Plutko was a member of the UCLA Bruins baseball team. He was teammates with future MLB All-Stars Gerrit Cole and Trevor Bauer.[4] In 2013, Plutko led the Bruins to their first NCAA Championship in baseball by beating Mississippi State in the 2013 College World Series. During the World Series, he recorded wins against Louisiana State in the opening round of the World Series and in Game 1 of the Championship Series against Mississippi State. He was named the College World Series Most Outstanding Player.[5]

Professional career

Cleveland Indians

The Cleveland Indians selected Plutko in the 11th round of the 2013 Major League Baseball draft.[6] He signed with the Indians, but did not pitch for their Minor League Baseball affiliates that year due to a stress fracture in his shoulder.[7] Plutko made his professional debut in 2014 with the Lake County Captains of the Class A Midwest League.[8] In May, the Indians promoted Plutko to the Carolina Mudcats of the Class A-Advanced Carolina League.[9] In 28 games started between the two teams he compiled a 7–10 record and 4.03 ERA. He began the 2015 season with the Lynchburg Hillcats of the Carolina League,[10] and was promoted to the Akron RubberDucks of the Class AA Eastern League in May.[11] Plutko posted a 13–7 record, a 2.39 ERA, and a 0.93 WHIP in 27 starts between the two clubs.

The Indians invited Plutko to spring training in 2016.[12] He began the 2016 season with Akron and was promoted to the Columbus Clippers of the Class AAA International League on June 16.[13]

On September 20, 2016, the Indians purchased Plutko's contract from the Clippers and added him to their active roster.[14] In 28 starts for Akron and Columbus prior to his call up, he pitched to a 9–8 record and 3.73 ERA. He made his major league debut on September 24 as a relief pitcher.[15]

Plutko spent all of 2017 with Columbus, going 7–12 with a 5.90 ERA in 24 games (22 starts).[16] He began 2018 with Columbus, and was recalled on May 3 for one game. He was optioned back to Columbus the day after. He was recalled once again on May 23 to take over as the fifth starter for Cleveland after Josh Tomlin was moved to the bullpen.[17] He was sent back to Columbus, and threw a no-hitter on June 2.[18] He finished with a record of 4–5 in 17 games (12 starts). The following season, Plutko was 7–5 in 109+1⁄3 innings.

Before the 2020 season, Plutko was moved to the bullpen. He got a spot start in the second game of a doubleheader against the White Sox, where he went six innings and struck out four while allowing two runs.[19]

With the 2020 Cleveland Indians, Plutko appeared in 10 games, compiling a 2–2 record with 4.88 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 27+2⁄3 innings pitched.[20]

Baltimore Orioles

On March 27, 2021, Plutko was traded to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for cash considerations.[21] In 38 games for Baltimore, Plutko posted a 6.71 ERA with 44 strikeouts. On August 15, 2021, Plutko was designated for assignment by the Orioles.[22] On August 19, Plutko cleared waivers and was assigned outright to the Triple-A Norfolk Tides.[23] On October 4, Plutko elected free agency.[24]

LG Twins

On December 9, 2021, Plutko signed a one-year contract worth $500,000, with an additional $300,000 in achievable incentives, with the LG Twins of the KBO League.[25] He had a 15-5 record and a 2.39 ERA for the Twins.[26] On December 2, 2022, Plutko re-signed with the Twins on a one-year contract for the 2023 season worth $1.4 million.[27] In 21 starts for the team, he logged an 11–3 record and 2.41 ERA with 101 strikeouts across 123+1⁄3 innings pitched. On October 27, 2023, Plutko left Korea following a left hip injury.[28] He became a free agent following the season and announced he was hoping to return to Major League Baseball.[29]

Minnesota Twins

On May 3, 2024, Plutko signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins.[30]

References

  1. ^ Major League Baseball 2021 Player Name Presentation Preferences and Pronunciations (Cleveland Indians page). Archived April 26, 2021, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved June 6, 2021
  2. ^ Gastelum, Andrew (June 24, 2013). "UCLA's Adam Plutko hopes to ride game-day routine to victory at College World Series". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  3. ^ Levine, Zachary (August 5, 2010). "Astros sign first-round pick DeShields — Houston Chronicle". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  4. ^ Meisel, Zack. "While Trevor Bauer and Gerrit Cole steal the spotlight, don't overlook their college teammate, Adam Plutko". The Athletic.
  5. ^ Olson, Eric (June 26, 2013). "UCLA wins first College World Series with 8–0 win over Mississippi State". NorthJersey.com. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  6. ^ "Cleveland proud of its performance in 2013 Draft". MLB.com. June 8, 2013. Retrieved November 3, 2013.[dead link]
  7. ^ Fox Sports (May 13, 2014). "A year after the draft, Plutko enjoying success with Indians – FOX Sports". FOX Sports. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  8. ^ "Adam Plutko gets first pro win; Clint Frazier excels on defense: Cleveland Indians Class A Insider". cleveland.com. May 2, 2014. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  9. ^ "Mudcats pitcher Adam Plutko mows them down: Cleveland Indians Advanced Class A Insider". cleveland.com. July 18, 2014. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  10. ^ "Cleveland Indians' No. 19 prospect Adam Plutko earned first 2015 win with six shutout innings for Lynchburg Hillcats – MiLB.com News – The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com. Retrieved May 31, 2015.
  11. ^ Spencer Davies. "Adam Plutko is newest addition to the Akron RubberDucks". www.ohio.com. Retrieved May 31, 2015.
  12. ^ Hoynes, Paul (January 26, 2016). "Cleveland Indians invite Adam Plutko, Eric Stamets, Will Roberts, Todd Hankins to spring training". cleveland.com. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
  13. ^ "Cleveland Indians' No. 14 prospect Adam Plutko makes quick strides with Columbus Clippers". MiLB.com. June 28, 2016. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
  14. ^ Network, FanRag Sports. "Indians Call Up Adam Plutko, Designate T.J. House For Assignment". Today's Knuckleball. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
  15. ^ "Cleveland Indians Adam Plutko makes his major-league debut, wife snags foul ball". The Plain Dealer. September 25, 2016. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
  16. ^ "Adam Plutko Stats, Highlights, Bio – MiLB.com Stats – The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
  17. ^ Hoynes, Paul (May 22, 2018). "A spot in the Cleveland Indians' starting rotation opens for Adam Plutko". Cleveland.com.
  18. ^ "Plutko fires Clippers' second no-hitter". MLB.com.
  19. ^ "Chicago White Sox at Cleveland Indians". Baseball Reference.
  20. ^ "Adam Plutko Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com.
  21. ^ "Orioles Acquire Adam Plutko, Release Yolmer Sanchez". March 30, 2021.
  22. ^ "Orioles Announce Several Roster Moves". MLB Trade Rumors. August 15, 2021.
  23. ^ "MLB Minor Transactions: 8/18/21". August 18, 2021.
  24. ^ Anthony Franco (October 7, 2021). "Players Recently Electing Free Agency". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  25. ^ "Ex-MLB All-Star Puig signs with S. Korean team". ESPN.com. December 10, 2021.
  26. ^ "Pitcher denies physical problems after rough KBO postseason outing". October 27, 2022.
  27. ^ "SSG Landers, NC Dinos left with one spot each to fill on foreign player roster". Korea JoongAng Daily. December 26, 2022. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  28. ^ "Injured Twins starter Plutko leaves S. Korea before KBO championship series". m-en.yna.co.kr. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  29. ^ "Adam Plutko Eyeing MLB Return". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  30. ^ "Twins, Adam Plutko Agree To Minor League Deal". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved May 3, 2024.