Andrew Albers

Andrew William Albers (born October 6, 1985) is a Canadian professional baseball pitcher for the Orix Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Minnesota Twins, Toronto Blue Jays, and Seattle Mariners, as well as in the KBO League for the Hanwha Eagles. Prior to beginning his professional career, he played college baseball at the University of Kentucky. Albers has also competed for the Canadian national baseball team.

Not to be confused with Andrew Alberts.

Andrew Albers
Orix Buffaloes – No. 27
Pitcher
Born: (1985-10-06) October 6, 1985
North Battleford, Saskatchewan
Bats: Right Throws: Left
Professional debut
MLB: August 6, 2013, for the Minnesota Twins
KBO: April 2, 2014, for the Hanwha Eagles
NPB: April 4, 2018, for the Orix Buffaloes
MLB statistics
(through 2017 season)
Win–loss record7–6
Earned run average4.10
Strikeouts79
KBO statistics
(through 2014 season)
Win–loss record6–13
Earned run average5.89
Strikeouts107
NPB statistics
(through 2019 season)
Win–loss record11–8
Earned run average4.06
Strikeouts128
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Professional career

Minor leagues

Albers went to high school at John Paul II Collegiate. He was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 12th round (346th overall) of the 2004 Major League Baseball draft, but did not sign. Albers enrolled at the University of Kentucky, where he played college baseball for the Kentucky Wildcats baseball team in the Southeastern Conference of the NCAA Division I. At Kentucky, Albers pitched in 81 games (fifth most in Wildcats history), recording 20 wins (fourth most in Wildcats history), and 12 saves (third most in Wildcats history).[1]

The San Diego Padres selected Albers in the 10th round (315th overall) of the 2008 Major League Baseball draft. After signing with the Padres, Albers made his professional debut with the Arizona League Padres of the Rookie-level Arizona League, making five appearances.[1] Albers missed the 2009 season after tearing an ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow during spring training, which required Tommy John surgery.[1][2] The Padres released Albers, and he pitched for the Québec Capitales of the independent Can-Am Association in 2010. With Québec, Albers had a 3-0 win–loss record, 17 saves and a 1.40 earned run average (ERA).[1] Albers tried out for teams in Arizona during spring training in 2011, and drove to Florida to try out for the Minnesota Twins.[3] The Twins signed Albers to a minor league contract, and he pitched for the Fort Myers Miracle of the Class-A Advanced Florida State League and New Britain Rock Cats of the Double-A Eastern League in 2011.[1]

Albers played for the Canadian national baseball team.[4] In 2011, he participated in the 2011 Baseball World Cup,[5] winning the bronze medal, and the Pan American Games, winning the gold medal.[6] Albers pitched ​6 2⁄3 innings in the gold medal game. Along with his teammates, Albers was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2012.[1] Albers was also named Saskatchewan's male athlete of the year.[2]

Minnesota Twins

Albers was called up by the Twins on August 3, 2013, to replace fellow Canadian Scott Diamond, who was optioned to Triple-A. At the time of his call-up, Albers had posted a record of 11–5 and a 2.86 ERA with the Rochester Red Wings, with an International League-leading 116 strikeouts.[7]

On August 6, 2013, Albers made his MLB debut and earned the win, pitching 8​1⁄3 scoreless innings against the Kansas City Royals and yielding just 4 hits and 1 walk while striking out 2.[8] In his second career start on August 12, Albers threw his first complete game and shutout, defeating the Cleveland Indians 3–0. Albers gave up 2 hits, no walks, and struck out 2 batters.[9] In 2013, Albers posted a 6–13 record with a 5.89 ERA.[10]

Hanwha Eagles

On January 30, 2014, the Twins released Albers, allowing him to sign with the Hanwha Eagles of the Korea Baseball Organization.[11]

On April 2, 2014, Albers made his KBO debut. The Eagles declined Albers' option for 2015, making him a free agent.[12]

Toronto Blue Jays

On December 16, 2014, Albers signed a minor-league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays that included an invitation to spring training.[10] He did not make the team, and was assigned to the Buffalo Bisons, the Jays' Triple-A affiliate.

In 2015, Albers was the Opening Day starter for Buffalo.[13] Albers had his contract purchased by the Blue Jays on May 1, after Daniel Norris was optioned to Buffalo and Maicer Izturis was moved to the 60-day disabled list.[14] After pitching in one game, he was optioned back to Buffalo on May 2. Albers elected free agency on November 6.[15]

Lancaster Barnstormers

On March 3, 2016, Albers signed with the Lancaster Barnstormers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.[16]

Return to Minnesota

On April 27, 2016, Albers signed a minor league deal with the Minnesota Twins. On August 11, Albers was brought up to the Twins from the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings.[17] Pitching against the Houston Astros the same day, he made the longest relief appearance of any major league reliever in 2016 by both number of innings pitched (6) and pitches thrown (108).[18][19] He was optioned back on August 14, and recalled on August 26. He was assigned outright to Rochester on October 17.[20] He elected free agency on October 18.[21]

Atlanta Braves

In December 2016, Albers signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves.[22] He went 12–3 with a 2.61 ERA and 115 strikeouts for the Triple-A Gwinnett Braves of the International League.[23]

Seattle Mariners

On August 11, 2017, Albers was traded to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for cash considerations.[24][25] After pitching well in several starts, he was moved to the bullpen to allow pitchers who had recovered from their injuries rejoin the starting rotation. He logged his first career save on September 25, 2017.[26] On December 18, 2017, the Mariners released Albers to pursue an opportunity in Japan.[27]

Orix Buffaloes

On December 21, 2017, he signed a one-year, $900,000 contract[28] with the Orix Buffaloes of the Nippon Professional Baseball(NPB).[29]

On April 4, 2018, Albers made his NPB debut. He was selected for the 2018 NPB All-Star game.[30]

On December 20, 2019, Albers signed a 1-year extension to remain with the Buffaloes.[31]

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References
  1. "Albers, Bisson Voted to Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame – Kentucky Wildcats Official Athletic Site". Ukathletics.com. February 9, 2012. Archived from the original on May 31, 2012. Retrieved August 8, 2013.
  2. Albers, Christ, Holland take home honours
  3. "Kentucky baseball product Andrew Albers shines in unlikely MLB debut | The Courier-Journal". courier-journal.com. Retrieved August 8, 2013.
  4. nurun.com. "Molina gives Jays walk-off win | Bob Elliott | Columnists | Sports | London Free Press". Lfpress.com. Retrieved August 8, 2013.
  5. WATCH NOW: Live cricket – Canada vs. UAE Game 2 (October 9, 2011). "Canada advances at IBAF World Cup". sportsnet.ca. Archived from the original on January 15, 2012. Retrieved August 8, 2013.
  6. nurun.com (January 30, 2012). "Canada golden on baseball's world stage | Bob Elliott | Columnists | Sports | London Free Press". Lfpress.com. Archived from the original on April 24, 2016. Retrieved August 8, 2013.
  7. "Twins to call up Canadian southpaw Andrew Albers from triple-A Rochester". The Globe and Mail. August 3, 2013. Retrieved August 3, 2013.
  8. "Albers pitches into ninth as Twins rout Royals". Sportsnet. August 6, 2013. Retrieved August 7, 2013.
  9. "Canada's Albers pitches two-hit shutout as Twins beat Indians". TSN.ca. August 12, 2013. Retrieved August 12, 2013.
  10. Mello, Igor (December 16, 2014). "Report: Andrew Albers signs with Blue Jays". fantasynews.cbssports.com. Retrieved December 17, 2014.
  11. Bollinger, Rhett (January 30, 2014). "Released by Twins, Albers to sign with Korean team". MLB.com. Retrieved September 9, 2015.
  12. Nicholson-Smith, Ben (November 30, 2014). "Canadian left-hander Albers hits free agency". sportsnet.ca. Retrieved November 30, 2014.
  13. Beauchemin, Craig (April 8, 2015). "Andrew Albers named Opening Day starter for AAA Buffalo". newsoptimist.ca. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
  14. Nicholson-Smith, Ben (May 1, 2015). "Blue Jays option Norris to triple-A Buffalo". Sportsnet. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
  15. "International League Transactions". milb.com. p. November 2015. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  16. "Barnstormers Nab Two Big League Lefties". oursportscentral.com. March 3, 2016. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
  17. "Twins place reliever Boshers on DL, promote Albers". August 11, 2016. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  18. "Pitching Game Finder:For 2016, as Reliever, (requiring IPouts>=15)". Retrieved August 10, 2017.
  19. "Pitching Game Finder:For 2016, as Reliever, (requiring Pitches>=100)". Retrieved August 10, 2017.
  20. "Twins' Andrew Albers: Outrighted to Triple-A on Monday". October 17, 2016. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
  21. "International League Transactions - Rochester Red Wings Stats". Rochester Red Wings.
  22. Eddy, Matt (December 24, 2016). "Minor League Transactions: Dec. 10-22". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved December 24, 2016.
  23. "Andrew Albers Minor, Independent, Korean & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 11, 2017.
  24. "Mariners' Andrew Albers: Dealt to Mariners". cbssports.com. August 11, 2017. Retrieved August 11, 2017.
  25. O'Brien, David (August 11, 2017). "Braves trade veteran lefty Albers to Mariners". ajc.com. Retrieved August 11, 2017.
  26. "Andrew Albers 2017 Pitching Game Logs". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
  27. "Mariners release LHP Albers so he can pitch in Japan". December 18, 2017.
  28. "オリックス、新外国人左腕・アルバースの獲得を発表". sanspo.com (in Japanese). December 21, 2017. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
  29. "新外国人選手獲得のお知らせ". オリックスバファローズ公式サイト (in Japanese). December 21, 2019. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
  30. "マイナビオールスターゲーム2018 出場者". NPB.jp 日本野球機構 (in Japanese). August 13, 2018.
  31. "外国人選手契約締結のお知らせ". オリックスバファローズ 公式サイト (in Japanese). December 20, 2019. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
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