David Purcey

David Purcey
Pitcher
Born: (1982-04-22) April 22, 1982 (age 42)
St. Charles, Illinois, U.S.
Batted: Left
Threw: Left
Professional debut
MLB: April 18, 2008, for the Toronto Blue Jays
CPBL: March 26, 2015, for the Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions
Last appearance
MLB: September 20, 2013, for the Chicago White Sox
CPBL: April 26, 2015, for the Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions
MLB statistics
Win–loss record7–13
Earned run average4.98
Strikeouts174
CPBL statistics
Win–loss record0–1
Earned run average4.87
Strikeouts19
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
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, and in the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) for the Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions.

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 4+1⁄3 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.[3] 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.[7] On July 26, 2010, Purcey recorded his first major league save against the Baltimore Orioles in a 9–5 win.[8]

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.[9][10] Purcey was acquired after injuries to Rich Harden and Dallas Braden.[10]

Detroit Tigers

On May 27, 2011, Purcey was traded to the Detroit Tigers for Scott Sizemore.[11] Purcey was designated for assignment on August 2, he cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens on August 10 .[12] 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.[13] 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.[14] 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.[15] 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.[16] 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 removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to Charlotte on October 18.[17] Purcey subsequently rejected the assignment and elected free agency.[18]

The White Sox re–signed Purcey to a minor league contract that included an invitation to spring training on November 8, 2013.[19] In 12 games for Charlotte in 2014, he posted an 0–2 record and 4.58 ERA with 15 strikeouts and 2 saves across 19+2⁄3 innings pitched. On May 12, 2014, Purcey was released by the White Sox organization.[20]

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.

References

  1. ^ "2003 Orleans Cardinals". The Baseball Cube. Archived from the original on August 7, 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  2. ^ "East All-Star Roster: All-Star Game 2003". Cape Cod Baseball League. Archived from the original on August 15, 2020. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  3. ^ a b "David Purcey Stats". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 21, 2009. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  4. ^ Bastian, Jordan (April 19, 2008). "Accardo, 'pen can't hold lead in loss". Toronto Blue Jays. MLB.com. Archived from the original on April 21, 2008. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  5. ^ Bastian, Jordan (August 27, 2008). "Purcey fans 11 as Jays lose to Rays". Toronto Blue Jays. MLB.com. Archived from the original on August 31, 2008. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  6. ^ "Blue Jays hoping for happy ending to 33rd opening day". CBC.ca. April 6, 2009. Archived from the original on December 20, 2021. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  7. ^ Bastian, Jordan (May 24, 2010). "Eveland designated for assignment by Jays". Toronto Blue Jays. MLB.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  8. ^ "Blue Jays launch 3 homers to beat Orioles for 10th straight time". ESPN. Associated Press. July 26, 2010. Archived from the original on December 20, 2021. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  9. ^ "Report: Jays trade Purcey to A's for Farquhar". NBC Sports. April 18, 2011. Archived from the original on October 11, 2012. Retrieved October 11, 2012.
  10. ^ a b Dierkes, Tim (April 18, 2011). "Athletics Acquire David Purcey". MLB Trade Rumors. Archived from the original on April 19, 2011. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  11. ^ Nicholson-Smith, Ben (May 27, 2011). "Tigers Acquire David Purcey For Scott Sizemore". MLB Trade Rumors. Archived from the original on May 30, 2011. Retrieved May 28, 2011.
  12. ^ "Tigers designate reliever Purcey for assignment". ESPN. Associated Press. August 2, 2011. Archived from the original on December 20, 2021. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  13. ^ Iott, Chris (December 10, 2011). "Phillies sign former Tigers pitcher David Purcey to minor-league deal". Michigan Live. Archived from the original on December 20, 2021. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  14. ^ "David Purcey Minor, Fall, Winter, Independent & CPBL Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on July 10, 2017. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  15. ^ Nicholson-Smith, Ben (November 21, 2012). "Minor Moves: Ka'aihue, Hinshaw, Luna, Pirates". MLB Trade Rumors. Archived from the original on November 22, 2012. Retrieved November 21, 2012.
  16. ^ Padilla, Doug (July 3, 2013). "Deal breakers? Sox put Konerko, Crain on DL". ESPN. Archived from the original on December 20, 2021. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  17. ^ Kane, Colleen (October 18, 2013). "White Sox outright reliever Purcey to Charlotte". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on June 3, 2014. Retrieved October 20, 2013.
  18. ^ "Minor Moves: Ramirez, Crowe, Purcey". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  19. ^ Todd, Jeff (November 16, 2013). "Minor Moves: Purcey, Lowe, Moore, Miller, Startup". MLB Trade Rumors. Archived from the original on November 18, 2013. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  20. ^ Mello, Igor (May 12, 2014). "White Sox make several changes to minor-league roster". CBS Sports. Archived from the original on December 20, 2021. Retrieved December 20, 2021.