Rob Wooten

Rob Wooten
Wooten with the Milwaukee Brewers
Pitcher
Born: (1985-07-21) July 21, 1985 (age 39)
Goldsboro, North Carolina, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
July 26, 2013, for the Milwaukee Brewers
Last MLB appearance
May 7, 2015, for the Milwaukee Brewers
MLB statistics
Win–loss record4–5
Earned run average5.03
Strikeouts53
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams

Robert Davis Wooten (born July 21, 1985) is an American former Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher who played for the Milwaukee Brewers from 2013 to 2015.

College career

Wooten earned a bachelor's degree in exercise and sport science from the University of North Carolina. During his playing days at North Carolina, the team advanced to three straight College World Series appearances from 2006 to 2008.[1] In 2007, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Chatham A's of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[2][3]

Professional career

Milwaukee Brewers

Wooten made his major league debut for the Brewers against the Colorado Rockies, pitching a scoreless inning. He emerged as a second setup man to closer Jim Henderson, along with Brandon Kintzler. Wooten usually pitched in the 7th inning, Kintzler in the 8th, and Henderson closed it out in the 9th.

Wooten didn't make the team out of spring training, but was recalled after Henderson (who was no longer the closer, but a setup man to Francisco Rodriguez) was placed on the DL with right shoulder inflammation.

Wooten was outrighted off the Brewers roster on May 28, 2015.[4]

Atlanta Braves

Wooten signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves on January 13, 2016.[5] On May 3, Wooten was released by the Braves,[6] but he re–signed with the Braves on a new minor league contract on May 22.[7] In 35 appearances for the Triple–A Gwinnett Braves, he compiled a 3–5 record and 3.58 ERA with 60 strikeouts across 73 innings pitched. Wooten elected free agency following the season on November 7.[8]

Cincinnati Reds

On December 20, 2016, Wooten signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds.[9] He made 6 starts for the Triple–A Louisville Bats in 2017, registering a 1–3 record and 6.94 ERA with 26 strikeouts across 23+1⁄3 innings pitched.[10]

Wooten spent the 2018 campaign with the rookie–level Arizona League Reds, also playing in one game for Triple–A Louisville. In 7 games for the AZL Reds, he recorded an 8.16 ERA with 15 strikeouts across 14+1⁄3 innings pitched. Wooten elected free agency following the season on November 3, 2018.[11]

On January 4, 2019, Wooten re-signed with Cincinnati on a minor league contract.[12] In 9 starts split between Louisville and the Double–A Chattanooga Lookouts, he compiled a 1–3 record and 6.25 ERA with 30 strikeouts over 36 innings pitched. Wooten did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[13] Wooten announced his retirement from professional baseball on April 18, 2020.

Coaching career

On January 14, 2021, Wooten was announced as the pitching coach for the Chattanooga Lookouts, the Double-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds.

On May 11, 2022, Wooten was hired to serve as the head baseball coach at Grace Christian School in Sanford, North Carolina.[14]

Personal life

Wooten is a Christian.[15]

References

  1. ^ "Rob Wooten 'View MoreBio Info'". mlb.com. Major League Baseball. Retrieved January 26, 2017.
  2. ^ "Major League Baseball Players From the Cape Cod League" (PDF). capecodbaseball.org. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
  3. ^ "2007 Chatham As". thebaseballcube.com. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  4. ^ "Brewers outright Wooten, more pitching moves upcoming". ESPN.com. Associated Press. May 28, 2015. Retrieved May 30, 2015.
  5. ^ Eddy, Matt (January 18, 2016). "Minor League Transactions: Jan. 8-14". Baseball America. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  6. ^ Eddy, Matt (May 9, 2016). "Minor League Transactions: April 29-May 5". Baseball America. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
  7. ^ Eddy, Matt (May 30, 2016). "Minor League Transactions: May 20–26". Baseball America. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
  8. ^ "Minor League Free Agents 2016". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  9. ^ Byrne, Connor (December 20, 2016). "Minor MLB Transactions: 12/20/16". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved December 20, 2016.
  10. ^ "Rob Wooten Stats & Scouting Report". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
  11. ^ "Minor League Free Agents 2018". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  12. ^ Eddy, Matt (January 12, 2019). "Minor League Transactions: Dec 19 - Jan 10". Baseball America. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  13. ^ "2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled". mlb.com. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  14. ^ "Crusaders Hire Former MLB Player Rob Wooten". gracechristiansanford.com. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  15. ^ "Brewers find fine line between superstition and faith".