Alex Claudio

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Alex Claudio

|image = Alex Claudio pitching in Arlington in Sept 2014.jpg

|caption = Claudio with the Texas Rangers in 2014

|width =

|team = Saraperos de Saltillo

|number = 85

|position = Pitcher

|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1992|1|31}}

|birth_place = San Juan, Puerto Rico

|bats = Left

|throws = Left

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = August 13

|debutyear = 2014

|debutteam = Texas Rangers

|statyear = 2023 season

|statleague = MLB

|stat1label = Win–loss record

|stat1value = 16–10

|stat2label = Earned run average

|stat2value = 3.59

|stat3label = Strikeouts

|stat3value = 249

|teams =

Texas Rangers ({{mlby|2014}}–{{mlby|2018}})
Milwaukee Brewers ({{mlby|2019}}–{{mlby|2020}})
Los Angeles Angels ({{mlby|2021}})
New York Mets ({{mlby|2022}})
Milwaukee Brewers ({{mlby|2023}})

|medaltemplates=

{{Medal|Country|{{bb|PUR}}}}

}}

Alexander Claudio (born January 31, 1992) is a Puerto Rican professional baseball pitcher for the Saraperos de Saltillo of the Mexican League. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Texas Rangers, Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Angels, and New York Mets. Claudio pitches in an unorthodox sidearm manner.

Career

=Texas Rangers=

Claudio attended Isabel Flores High School in Juncos, Puerto Rico. Claudio was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 27th round of the 2010 MLB draft.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/713640/2018/12/14/future-considerations-in-trading-alex-claudio-texas-turns-a-27th-round-draft-pick-into-a-first/|title=Future considerations: In trading Alex Claudio, Texas turns a 27th-round draft pick into a first|author=Jamey Newberg|website=The Athletic|date=December 13, 2018|access-date=September 25, 2019}}

Claudio spent his first professional season of 2010 playing for the AZL Rangers of the Rookie-level Arizona League, going 0–1 with a 6.60 ERA in 15 innings.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=claudi001ale|title=Alex Claudio Player Page|website=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=September 25, 2019}} He split the 2011 season Between the AZL Rangers and the Spokane Indians of the Low–A Northwest League, going a combined 5–0 with a 1.91 ERA over 28 innings. He returned to the AZL Rangers in 2012, going 4–0 with a 1.79 ERA over 45 innings. Following the 2012 season, Claudio converted from a traditional over the top pitching delivery to a sidearm delivery.

Claudio played for the Hickory Crawdads of the Single–A South Atlantic League and the Frisco RoughRiders of the Double-A Texas League in 2013, going a combined 4–6 with a 1.83 ERA over {{frac|78|2|3}} innings. He split the 2014 minor league season between the Myrtle Beach Pelicans of the High–A Carolina League, Frisco, and the Round Rock Express of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League, combining to go 6–3 with a 1.66 ERA over {{frac|91|1|3}} innings.

The Rangers selected Claudio's contract and promoted him to the major leagues for the first time on August 13, 2014. He pitched a scoreless inning, and struck out Kevin Kiermaier for his first major league strikeout in his debut that night.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/rangers/news/rangers-place-rhp-yu-darvish-on-15-day-disabled-list/c-89465606|title=Rangers place RHP Yu Darvish on 15-day disabled list; purchase contract of LHP Alex Claudio from Triple-A Round Rock|author=John Blake|website=MLB.com|date=August 13, 2014|access-date=September 25, 2019}} He went 0–0 with a 2.92 ERA over 12 innings for Texas in 2014.

Claudio split the 2015 season between Texas and Round Rock. With the Rangers, he went 1–1 with a 2.87 ERA over 15.2 innings. With Round Rock, he went 3–1 with a 2.93 ERA over 40 innings. Claudio once again split the season between Texas and Round Rock in 2016. With the Rangers, he went 4–1 with a 2.79 ERA in {{frac|51|2|3}} innings. With Round Rock, he went 0–0 with a 0.55 ERA in 16 innings.

Claudio was named the 2017 Texas Rangers Pitcher of the Year, following a season where he posted a 4–1 record with a 2.50 ERA, 56 strikeouts, and 11 saves over {{frac|82|2|3}} innings in 70 games.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/rangers/news/rangers-alex-claudio-is-pitcher-of-the-year/c-262712144|title=Claudio chosen as Rangers Pitcher of the Year|author=T.R. Sullivan|website=MLB.com|date=December 1, 2017|access-date=November 8, 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/rangers-alex-claudio-thrives-as-club-s-closer-c256900196|title=Claudio's 2018 role in bullpen uncertain|author=T.R. Sullivan|website=MLB.com|date=September 30, 2017|access-date=September 25, 2019}}

In 2018, Claudio went 4–2 with a 4.48 ERA over 68 innings.{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/sports/Rangers-Send-Durable-Lefty-Alex-Claudio-to-Brewers-for-Draft-Pick-502722062.html|title=Rangers Send Durable Lefty Alex Claudio to Brewers for Draft Pick|website=NBC 5 DFW|date=December 13, 2018|access-date=September 25, 2019}} Right-handed batters had a higher batting average against him, .359, than against all other MLB pitchers in 30 or more innings.{{cite web| url = https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/splits-leaderboards?splitArr=6&splitArrPitch=&position=P&autoPt=true&splitTeams=false&statType=player&statgroup=1&startDate=2018-03-01&endDate=2018-10-31&players=&filter=| title = Splits Leaderboards {{!}} FanGraphs}}

=Milwaukee Brewers=

Claudio was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers on December 13, 2018, in exchange for a competitive balance Round A draft pick.{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/25526775/milwaukee-brewers-acquire-alex-claudio-texas-rangers|title=Brewers acquire Alex Claudio, send pick to Rangers|agency=Associated Press|website=ESPN.com|date=December 13, 2018|access-date=September 25, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/alex-claudio-traded-to-brewers-by-rangers-c301825932|title=Texas closes busy Meetings with Claudio trade|author=T.R. Sullivan|website=MLB.com|date=December 13, 2019|access-date=September 25, 2019}} In 2019, he posted a 2–2 record with a 4.06 ERA over 62 innings. He led all major league pitchers in games played (83).{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/MLB/2019-pitching-leaders.shtml |title=2019 Major League Baseball Pitching Leaders |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |date= |access-date=2019-10-09}} Claudio was non-tendered and became a free agent on December 2, 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/mlb/brewers/2019/12/02/brewers-dont-tender-contracts-shaw-nelson-claudio-and-guerra/4350473002/|title=The Brewers opt not to tender 2020 contracts to Shaw, Nelson, Claudio, Guerra and Saladino|author=Tom Haudricourt|website=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|date=December 2, 2019|access-date=December 2, 2019}} He re-signed with Milwaukee on a one-year contract on December 9, 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2019/12/09/alex-claudio-brewers-agree-to-175-million-1-year-deal/40791027/|title=Alex Claudio, Brewers agree to $1.75 million, 1-year deal|author=The AP|author-link=The AP|website=USA Today|date=December 9, 2019|access-date=December 10, 2019}} Claudio made 20 appearances for the Brewers in 2020, recording a 4.26 ERA with 15 strikeouts and 6 walks in 19.0 innings of work.{{Cite web|url=https://www.halosheaven.com/2020/12/16/22178643/alex-claudio-angels-contract|title = Angels sign reliever Alex Claudio to 1-year deal|date = 16 December 2020}} On December 2, 2020, Claudio was non-tendered by the Brewers and became a free agent.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/30441570/milwaukee-brewers-non-tender-alex-claudio-ben-gamel-jace-peterson|title = Brewers non-tender Claudio, Gamel, Peterson|date = 3 December 2020}}

=Los Angeles Angels=

On December 16, 2020, Claudio signed a one-year, $1.125 million deal with the Los Angeles Angels.{{cite web |last1=Gonzalez |first1=Alden |title=Los Angeles Angels sign reliever Alex Claudio to one-year deal |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/30531384/los-angeles-angels-sign-reliever-alex-claudio-one-year-deal |website=ESPN |date=16 December 2020 |access-date=16 December 2020}} On July 25, 2021, Claudio was designated for assignment by the Angels after struggling to a 5.51 ERA across 41 appearances.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/angels-alex-claudio-dfad-by-halos/|title = Angels' Alex Claudio: DFA'd by Halos| date=July 25, 2021 }} He was released on July 30.

=Boston Red Sox=

On August 10, 2021, Claudio signed minor league deal with the Boston Red Sox. He was assigned to the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/08/red-sox-sign-alex-claudio.html|title=Red Sox Sign Alex Claudio|date=August 10, 2021 }}

Claudio made 8 appearances for Worcester, recording a 6.17 ERA with 13 strikeouts. On September 21, the Red Sox released Claudio.{{cite web| url = https://www.mlb.com/player/alex-claudio-592222?stats=career-r-pitching-minors&year=2021| title = Alex Claudio Stats, Fantasy & News {{!}} MLB.com| website = MLB.com}}

=New York Mets=

On January 13, 2022, Claudio signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets.{{cite web| url = https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/01/mets-sign-alex-claudio-stephen-nogosek-to-minor-league-contracts.html| title = Mets Sign Alex Claudio, Stephen Nogosek To Minor League Contracts| website= MLB Trade Rumors| date = January 13, 2022}} He had his contract selected on September 7. On September 30, Claudio was designated for assignment. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple–A Syracuse Mets on October 6, and elected free agency less than a week later on October 12.{{Cite web|title=Alex Claudio: Hits open market|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/alex-claudio-hits-open-market/amp/|access-date=June 28, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}}

=Milwaukee Brewers (second stint)=

On January 3, 2023, Claudio signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers organization.{{Cite web|title=Brewers' Alex Claudio: Gets NRI From Brewersl|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/brewers-alex-claudio-gets-nri-from-brewers/amp/|access-date=2023-01-03|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} He was assigned to the Triple-A Nashville Sounds to begin the year, where he posted a 3.00 ERA with 5 strikeouts and 2 walks in 7 appearances. On April 24, 2023, Claudio was selected to the active roster.{{cite web|title=Brewers' Alex Claudio: Back in majors|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/brewers-alex-claudio-back-in-majors/amp/|access-date=2023-04-24|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} He only made one appearance for the Brewers, allowing no runs on two hits with no strikeouts in {{fraction|1|3}} of an inning. On May 27, Claudio was designated for assignment following the promotion of Andruw Monasterio.{{Cite web|title=Brewers' Alex Claudio: Designated for assignment|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/brewers-alex-claudio-designated-for-assignment/amp/|access-date=2023-05-27|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Nashville two days later.{{Cite web|title=Brewers' Alex Claudio: Stays in organization|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/brewers-alex-claudio-stays-in-organization/amp/|access-date=2023-05-29|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} On October 13, Claudio elected free agency.{{cite web | url=https://www.milb.com/transactions/2023-10-13 | title=Transactions }}

=Diablos Rojos del México=

On February 8, 2024, Claudio signed with the Diablos Rojos del México of the Mexican League.{{Cite web|title=LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 8 de febrero de 2024|url=https://www.milb.com/mexican/news/lmb-movimientos-en-listas-de-reserva-8-de-febrero-de-2024|access-date=February 9, 2024|website=milb.com|language=en}} In 32 appearances, he compiled a 2–3 record and 4.55 ERA with 18 strikeouts across {{fraction|27|2|3}} innings of relief. With the team, Claudio won the Serie del Rey.{{Cite web|title=LMB: ¡Los Diablos Rojos se llevan al infierno su título 17 y reinan en lo más alto de la Liga Mexicana de Beisbol!|url=https://www.milb.com/mexican/news/lmb-los-diablos-rojos-se-llevan-al-infierno-su-titulo-17-y-reinan-en-lo-mas-alto-de-la-liga-mexicana-de-beisbol|access-date=November 14, 2024|website=milb.com|language=en}}

Claudio made 12 appearances for Saltillo during the 2025 campaign, registering a 2-0 record and 9.49 ERA with seven strikeouts across {{fraction|12|1|3}} innings pitched.

=Saraperos de Saltillo=

On May 21, 2025, Claudio, Ricky Karcher, and Ian Krol were traded to the Saraperos de Saltillo in exchange for Deolis Guerra.{{Cite web|title=LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 21 de mayo de 2025|url=https://lmb.com.mx/noticias/lmb-movimientos-en-listas-de-reserva-21-de-mayo-de-2025|access-date=May 22, 2025|website=lmb.com.mx|language=es}}

International career

Claudio was a member of the 2017 Puerto Rico national baseball team in the 2017 World Baseball Classic.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/rangers/news/pitcher-alex-claudio-on-wbc-17-rangers-role-c215813860|title=WBC '17 could prep Claudio for Rangers role|author=T.R. Sullivan|website=MLB.com|date=February 12, 2017|access-date=September 25, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.wfaa.com/article/sports/rangers-rule-world-baseball-classic-first-round/287-422442039|title=Rangers rule World Baseball Classic first round|author=WFAA Staff|website=WFAA-TV Channel 8|date=March 14, 2017|access-date=September 25, 2019}}