The Minnesota Twins added depth to their starting rotation last weekend when they swapped a prospect for Tampa Bay Rays right-handed pitcher Jake Odorizzi.
So who is this guy?
Trades are nothing new for this 27-year-old, as he was a part of two blockbuster exchanges early in his career. Odorizzi was a first-round pick by the Brewers in 2008. He spent two seasons in Milwaukee’s organization before being sent to the Royals in 2010 Zack Greinke trade. Then two years later -- after he made his big-league debut and pitched 7 1/3 innings for the Royals in 2012 -- Kansas City shipped him to Tampa Bay as part of a package deal for James Shields.
Odorizzi found a home in Tampa Bay and worked his way up to become a dependable member of the starting staff. In 129 career appearances (126 starts), Odorizzi owns a 40-38 record, 3.83 ERA and an 8.2 K/9.
Although he’s packing up his bags and on the move again, we think Odorizzi will fit right in with the State of Hockey. His Twitter account (@JakeOdorizzi) is filled with tweets you’d typically see from a hockey fanatic, although we’ll have to do some work to get him in a Wild sweater.
He’s more of a fan of the Lightning and – gasp – the Blues.
The place to be ! pic.twitter.com/yvzg5geXYh
— Jake Odorizzi (@JakeOdorizzi) October 13, 2016
With @RaysBaseball heading to Chicago this weekend, check out what @JakeOdorizzi is sporting. pic.twitter.com/LNInyTJcvx #WeAllBleedBlue
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) April 24, 2014
In fact, Tampa Bay appreciated his fanhood so much the team invited him out to practice for a day.
MORE TIDBITS
-- Name pronunciation: OH-dor-ree-zee
-- Odorizzi will wear No. 12 with the Twins. He’s the first pitcher in franchise history to bring No. 12 on the mound since Tex Clevenger with the Washington Senators from 1957-60.
-- Timberwolves forward Jimmy Butler might have some competition on being the best wide receiver in town not on the Vikings. Check out these hands!
-- Odorizzi is 1-1 with a 3.58 ERA in five career starts against the Twins. In three starts (17 2/3 innings) at Target Field, he’s allowed seven runs and two homers while fanning 15 hitters and walking seven.
-- Odorizzi was on the reserve roster for Team USA in the 2017 World Baseball Classic but did not appear in a game.
-- His career-best 3.35 ERA in 2015 ranked eighth in the American League.
