Asher Wojciechowski

Randall Asher Wojciechowski (/vɔɪtʃɛˈhɔːvski/ voy-cheh-HAWV-skee; born December 21, 1988) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has played in MLB for the Houston Astros and Cincinnati Reds.

Asher Wojciechowski
Wojciechowski pitching for Houston Astros in 2015 spring training
Baltimore Orioles – No. 29
Pitcher
Born: (1988-12-21) December 21, 1988
Hardeeville, South Carolina
Bats: Right Throws: Right
MLB debut
April 9, 2015, for the Houston Astros
MLB statistics
(through August 5, 2020)
Win–loss record8–14
Earned run average5.74
Strikeouts171
Teams

Early life

Wojciechowski was born in Hardeeville, South Carolina.[1][2] In his younger years, he lived in Pensacola, Florida, Sturgis, Michigan, and the Dominican Republic.[3][4] The Wojciechowskis moved to Romania when Asher was nine. Living abroad, he played soccer, and joined Little League Baseball when it expanded to Bucharest when he was 11. The team played in a tournament similar to the Little League World Series in Poland.[3]

After living in Romania for three years, the family moved to Sturgis, Michigan. Wojciechowski attended Sturgis High School, where he played for the school's baseball team.[5] He also played high school football for one season. The family moved to South Carolina for Asher's senior year of high school, so that he could attract more attention from scouts.[3] Wojciechowski attended Beaufort High School in Beaufort, South Carolina, for his senior year of high school.[6]

After graduating from high school, Wojciechowski then enrolled at The Citadel, choosing it over Winthrop University.[4] He competed for the United States national baseball team in the summer of 2009.[7] In 2010, he was named the Southern Conference's pitcher of the year.[8]

Professional career

Toronto Blue Jays

The Toronto Blue Jays selected Wojciechowski in the first round, with the 41st overall selection, of the 2010 Major League Baseball draft.[9] He received an $815,000 signing bonus, and made his professional debut with the Auburn Doubledays of the Class A-Short Season New York–Penn League. In 2011, Wojciechowski played for the Dunedin Blue Jays of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League.[10] The Blue Jays assigned Wojciechowski to Dunedin in 2012.

Houston Astros

The Blue Jays later traded him, along with Ben Francisco, Francisco Cordero, David Rollins, Joe Musgrove, Carlos Pérez, and a player to be named later (Kevin Comer) to the Houston Astros on July 20, 2012, in exchange for J. A. Happ, Brandon Lyon, and David Carpenter.[11][12] Houston assigned Wojciechowski to the Corpus Christi Hooks of the Class AA Texas League. He started the 2013 season in Corpus Christi, but received a midseason promotion to the Oklahoma City RedHawks of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League.[13] He was added to the 40-man roster on November 20, 2013.[14] Before spring training began in 2014, Wojciechowski strained a lateral muscle. While recuperating in May, his return was delayed when he strained his forearm. He returned to Oklahoma City in June.[15]

Wojciechowski began the 2015 season in the Astros' starting rotation.[16] He made 5 appearances for the Astros in the 2015 season, 3 of which were starts, and pitched to a 0–1 record, 7.16 ERA, and 16 strikeouts in 16​1⁄3 innings.[17] He was designated for assignment on May 17, 2016.[18]

Miami Marlins

On May 24, Wojciechowski was claimed off waivers by the Miami Marlins.[19] Wojciechowski was designated for assignment on July 16, 2016. He elected free agency on November 7, 2016.

Arizona Diamondbacks

On December 12, 2016, Wojciechowski signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks.[20] The Diamondbacks released him towards the end of spring training in 2017.[21]

Cincinnati Reds

On April 20, 2017, Wojciechowski signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds.[22] He began the season with the Louisville Bats of the Class AAA International League. On May 20, 2017, the Reds selected Wojciechowski's contract.[23] Wojciechowski earned his first MLB win that day over the Colorado Rockies. Wojciechowski pitched ​3 2⁄3 innings while allowing one hit and striking out three.[24] He elected free agency on October 6, 2017.

Baltimore Orioles

On December 1, 2017, Wojciechowski signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles.[25] He was assigned to the Norfolk Tides of the International League for the 2018 season.[26] On July 18, Wojciechowski opted-out of his contract and became a free agent.[27]

Chicago White Sox

On July 25, 2018, Wojciechowski signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox, and was assigned to the team's Triple-A affiliate Charlotte Knights.[28] He elected free agency on November 2, 2018.

Cleveland Indians

Wojciechowski signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians on February 14, 2019.[29] The deal included an invitation to the Indians' major league spring training camp. Wojciechowski spent the first half of the 2019 season with the Columbus Clippers, going 8–2 with a 3.61 ERA in 15 starts.[30]

Baltimore Orioles (second stint)

Wojciechowski returned to the Orioles in a cash transaction with the Indians on July 1, 2019 and was assigned back to the Tides.[30] On July 2, the Orioles selected his contract and promoted him to the major league roster.[31] Starting 16 of 17 pitching appearances, he had a 4–8 record with a 4.92 ERA and 1.312 WHIP.[32]

Pitching style

His repertoire includes a fastball around 94 miles per hour (151 km/h), a slider in the low to mid 80s, and an occasional changeup and curveball.[33][34]

Personal life

Wojciechowski is married to his wife, Alanna.[35]

References
  1. "Asher Wojciechowski Stats, Highlights, Bio". milb.com. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
  2. "Asher Wojciechowski Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
  3. "Citadel freshman pitcher pursued baseball around the globe – The Post and Courier". Postandcourier.com. Retrieved September 10, 2013.
  4. nurun.com (April 23, 2011). "Jays yelling about Asher Wojciechowski". The London Free Press. Retrieved September 10, 2013.
  5. "Wojciechowski goes No. 41 to Toronto". Sturgis Journal. Sturgis, Michigan. June 9, 2010. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
  6. "Beaufort High pitcher Wojciechowski gets chance next season at The Citadel | Story Archive | islandpacket.com | beaufortgazette.com". Lowcountrynewspapers.net. December 8, 2006. Archived from the original on April 24, 2014. Retrieved September 10, 2013.
  7. "Wojciechowski shines in U.S. baseball win – The Post and Courier". Postandcourier.com. Retrieved September 10, 2013.
  8. "Wojciechowski rounds out Day 1 picks | bluejays.com: News". Mlb.mlb.com. May 24, 2013. Retrieved September 10, 2013.
  9. "RHP Wojciechowski latest pick to sign with Blue Jays". Tsn.ca. June 16, 2010. Retrieved September 10, 2013.
  10. Jackson, Josh. "Wojciechowski takes game to new level | MiLB.com News | The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". Milb.com. Retrieved September 10, 2013.
  11. "Astros make 10 player trade with Toronto". July 20, 2012. Retrieved July 20, 2012.
  12. Dave Zangaro Staff Writer. "Blue Jays trade Comer to Astros - News - Burlington County Times - Willingboro, NJ". Burlington County Times. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  13. Baldwin, Michael (August 1, 2013). "OKC RedHawks: Asher Wojciechowski has prospered in Astros organization". News OK. Retrieved September 10, 2013.
  14. "Astros add Cruz, Santana, Wojciechowski to 40-man". Houston.astros.mlb.com. November 21, 2013. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
  15. Baldwin, Michael (August 7, 2014). "Oklahoma City RedHawks: Asher Wojciechowski still getting back in the groove". The Oklahoman. Retrieved October 10, 2014.
  16. "Asher Wojciechowski gets spot on team, rotation; Jon Singleton to minors". Ultimate Astros. Retrieved April 1, 2015.
  17. "Asher Wojciechowski Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
  18. Todd, Jeff (May 17, 2016). "Astros Designate Asher Wojciechowski, Place Carlos Gomez On DL". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved May 17, 2016.
  19. Adams, Steve (May 24, 2016). "Marlins Claim Asher Wojciechowski, Designate Tim Berry". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
  20. "Aces Communications on Twitter: "Earlier today, the @Dbacks signed OFs Reymond Fuentes & Jason Pridie and RHPs Asher Wojciechowski & Brooks Hall to @MiLB contracts."". Twitter.com. December 9, 2016. Retrieved July 7, 2018.
  21. "Reds Notes: Out of baseball in April, Asher Wojciechowski back in bigs". Cincinnati.com. May 20, 2017. Retrieved July 7, 2018.
  22. "International League Transactions in April 2017". MiLB.com. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
  23. Sheldon, Mark (May 20, 2017). "Reds call up Wojciechowski for bullpen help". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
  24. "Ex-Citadel star Asher Wojciechowski earns first MLB win | Sports". postandcourier.com. May 21, 2017. Retrieved July 7, 2018.
  25. Todd, Jeff (December 1, 2017). "Orioles Sign Asher Wojciechowski, Four Others To Minors Deals". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  26. "Wojciechowski mows 'em down for Tides". MiLB.com. July 3, 2015. Retrieved July 7, 2018.
  27. Todd, Jeff (July 18, 2018). "Asher Wojciechowski Exercises Opt-Out Clause In Orioles Contract". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  28. Polishuk, Mark. "Minor MLB Transactions: 7/25/18". MLBTradeRumors. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
  29. "Indians invite three (3) to Major League camp". Indians.com. February 14, 2019.
  30. "Indians send RHP Wojciechowski to Orioles for cash," The Associated Press (AP), Monday, July 1, 2019. Retrieved October 17, 2019
  31. "Asher Wojciechowski will be the Orioles' 14th starting pitcher in 2019. Here's how the others have fared". The Baltimore Sun. July 2, 2019. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
  32. Kubatko, Roch. "Is Wojciechowski a lock for 2020 rotation?" Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN), Thursday, October 17, 2019. Retrieved October 17, 2019
  33. "Baseball Video Highlights & Clips – Draft Report: Asher Wojciechowski, College Pitcher – Video". MLB.com. March 4, 2010. Retrieved August 29, 2012.
  34. Davis, Charles (July 11, 2012). "Asher Wojciechowski Could Be Movin' On Up For Toronto Blue Jays". RantSports.com. Retrieved August 29, 2012.
  35. Drellich, Evan (February 15, 2014). "Astros' Wojciechowski well-traveled, not short on perspective". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved October 10, 2014.
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