Alfredo Simón

Simón was signed on July 9, 1999, by the Philadelphia Phillies. He originally signed under the name Carlos Cabrera, and he pretended to be 21 months younger than he really was. He made his professional debut in 2000 for the La Vega Phillies in the Dominican Summer League.{{Cite web |title=Alfredo Simon Stats & Scouting Report - Baseball America |url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/players/82777/alfredo-simon/ |access-date=March 28, 2022 |website=Baseball America}} In 2004, the Phillies found out his real name and age.{{cite web |last=Lauber |first=Scott |date=December 9, 2006 |title=Hello, My Name is Simón (I Think) |url=http://www.delawareonline.com/blogs/2006/12/dec-9-hello-my-name-is-simon-i-think.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928042824/http://www.delawareonline.com/blogs/2006/12/dec-9-hello-my-name-is-simon-i-think.html |archive-date=September 28, 2011 |access-date=September 28, 2011 |website=The News Journal}}

On July 30, 2004, Simón was traded with Ricky Ledée to the San Francisco Giants for Felix Rodríguez.{{Cite web |date=July 30, 2004 |title=Phillies have new 'pen pals: Rodriguez, Jones |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=1849701 |access-date=March 28, 2022 |website=ESPN |publisher=Associated Press |language=en}}

Simón was assigned to the Single-A San Jose Giants. He got off to a bad start, posting a 5.68 ERA in six starts while going 1–2.{{Cite web |title=Alfredo Simon Minor, Winter, Mexican & Independent Leagues Statistics & History |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=simon-001alf |access-date=March 28, 2022 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}} In 2005, he was promoted to the Double-A Norwich Navigators. He started for only part of the year, and closed for most of the season, going 3–8 with 19 saves while posting a 5.03 ERA in 43 games (nine starts). In 2006, Simón started the season at San Jose, but was later promoted to the AAA Fresno Grizzlies. In 28 combined games (17 starts), he went 2–10 with a 6.62 ERA. Following the season, he filed for free agency.

On November 3, 2006, Simón signed with the Texas Rangers. In December, the Baltimore Orioles drafted him in the Rule 5 draft. On the same day, the Orioles traded him back to the Philadelphia Phillies for Adam Donachie and cash.{{cite web |last=Hollman |first=Michael |date=December 7, 2006 |title=Orioles Acquire Adam Donachie |url=http://orioles.scout.com/2/598719.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328231322/http://orioles.scout.com/2/598719.html |archive-date=March 28, 2012 |access-date=December 11, 2014 |work=Scout.com |df=mdy-all}}

On March 17, 2007, the Phillies returned Simón to the Rangers. Simón pitched as a starter for the Triple-A Oklahoma RedHawks. He had a bad year, going 5–10 with a 6.43 ERA in 22 starts. Following the season, he filed for free agency.

On January 10, 2008, Simón signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers.{{Cite web |last=Gurnick |first=Ken |date=January 10, 2008 |title=Dodgers sign three to Minors deals |url=http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080110&content_id=2343364&vkey=news_la&fext=.jsp&c_id=la |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080112174750/http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080110&content_id=2343364&vkey=news_la&fext=.jsp&c_id=la |archive-date=January 12, 2008 |access-date=March 28, 2022 |website=Los Angeles Dodgers |publisher=MLB.com}} He was released on March 30, before the season started.{{cite news |last=Hernandez |first=Dylan |date=April 9, 2008 |title=Bennett finally gets hands dirty |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-apr-09-sp-dodrep9-story.html |access-date=April 9, 2008}}

File:AlfredoSimonO.jpg

After being released, Simón signed with the independent Sultanes de Monterrey of the Mexican League. He pitched very well with them, going 7–2 with a 2.67 ERA in 15 games (11 starts). During the season, he was signed by the Baltimore Orioles on September 5.{{Cite web |last=Fordin |first=Spencer |date=September 5, 2008 |title=O's make flurry of roster moves |url=http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080905&content_id=3422974&vkey=news_bal&fext=.jsp&c_id=bal |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080909181048/http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080905&content_id=3422974&vkey=news_bal&fext=.jsp&c_id=bal |archive-date=September 9, 2008 |access-date=March 28, 2022 |website=Baltimore Orioles |publisher=MLB.com}}

The Orioles originally assigned Simón to the AAA Norfolk Tides, but they quickly called him up. On September 6, he made his MLB debut.{{Cite web |last=Fordin |first=Spencer |date=September 6, 2008 |title=Cabrera's wildness means loss to A's |url=http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20080906&content_id=3428478&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=bal |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080910223648/http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20080906&content_id=3428478&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=bal |archive-date=September 10, 2008 |access-date=March 28, 2022 |website=Baltimore Orioles}} He finished 2008 with a 6.23 ERA in four games (one start) and no decisions. In 2009, after a strong spring training, he was named to the Orioles' starting rotation.{{Cite web |last=Schmuck |first=Peter |date=March 31, 2009 |title=Your 2009 Orioles starting rotation |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/bs-mtblog-2009-03-your_2009_orioles_starting_rot-story.html |access-date=April 1, 2009 |website=The Baltimore Sun |language=en}} However, he was injured in only his second start and missed the rest of the year after undergoing Tommy John surgery.{{cite news |last=Holley |first=CJ |date=April 23, 2009 |title=Injury Updates on Some Orioles Pitchers |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/baseball-insider/2009/04/injury_updates_on_some_orioles.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120720015936/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/baseball-insider/2009/04/injury_updates_on_some_orioles.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 20, 2012 |access-date=April 23, 2009}}

Simón failed to make the Orioles out of spring training in 2010, but on April 27, the Orioles promoted Simón from Triple-A Norfolk.{{Cite web |last=Melewski |first=Steve |date=April 27, 2010 |title=MacPhail on Trembley, Wilfrido Perez and more (video added) |url=https://www.masnsports.com/steve-melewski/2010/04/macphail-on-trembley-wilfrido-perez-and-more.html |access-date=March 29, 2022 |website=MASN}} The same day, he became the Orioles' closer (due to bad pitching and a subsequent injury to Mike Gonzalez), and he notched his first save against the New York Yankees. He pitched an inning and gave up no earned runs (and two unearned).{{cite web |last=Gould |first=Steve |date=April 28, 2010 |title=Wrap-up: Orioles 5, Yankees 4 |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2010/04/28/wrap-up-orioles-5-yankees-4/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100429032322/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2010-04-28/sports/bal-oswrap0427_1_nolan-reimold-alfredo-simon-cesar-izturis |archive-date=April 29, 2010 |access-date=September 27, 2010 |website=The Baltimore Sun |df=mdy-all}} Coincidentally, the Yankees were the same team Simón earned his first decision against.{{cite web |date=April 9, 2009 |title=Boxscore: NY Yankees vs. Baltimore - April 9, 2009 |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/boxscore.jsp?gid=2009_04_09_nyamlb_balmlb_1 |access-date=December 11, 2014 |work=MLB.com}} Simón converted his first five save opportunities before blowing one against the Cleveland Indians on May 15.{{cite web |date=May 15, 2010 |title=Cleveland 8, Baltimore 2 |url=http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/gameTrax?gameId=300515101 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110423070624/http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/gameTrax?gameId=300515101 |archive-date=April 23, 2011 |access-date=September 27, 2010 |website=Fox Sports}} In 49 relief appearances, Simón was 4–2 with a 4.93 ERA while converting 17 of 21 save opportunities. After blowing a save on August 9, he did not receive another save opportunity as Koji Uehara was used most often in the role.

On May 21, 2011, Simón was activated from the restricted list. Jason Berken was sent down to make room.{{cite web |last=Short |first=D.J. |date=May 21, 2011 |title=Alfredo Simon to be activated from restricted list today |url=http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/05/21/alfredo-simon-to-be-activated-from-restricted-list-today |access-date=May 21, 2011 |work=NBC Sports}}

On April 3, 2012, the Cincinnati Reds claimed Simón off waivers from the Orioles.{{Cite web |last=Snyder |first=Matt |date=April 3, 2012 |title=Reds claim Alfredo Simon off waivers |url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/reds-claim-alfredo-simon-off-waivers/ |access-date=March 29, 2022 |website=CBS Sports |language=en}} He served in the bullpen for the season, posting a 3–2 record with one save and a 2.66 ERA in 36 games.

He spent most of the 2013 season as a part of the Reds bullpen. He went 6–4 and posted a 2.87 ERA in 63 appearances.

He began the 2014 season in the Reds' starting rotation after an injury to Mat Latos. He immediately excelled in the role, and at the All-Star break he led the National League with 12 wins (against only three losses) to go with a 2.70 ERA.{{cite web |title=Alfredo Simon Statistics and History |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/simonal01.shtml |access-date=December 11, 2014 |work=Baseball-Reference.com}}

On July 13, 2014, Simón was named to the 2014 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, replacing fellow Red Johnny Cueto, who was unavailable to pitch due to starting a game the previous Sunday. Simon was mobbed by his teammates in the dugout when the announcement was made during the game.{{cite web |last=Snyder |first=Matt |date=July 13, 2014 |title=Alfredo Simon, Tyler Clippard added to NL All-Star team |url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/alfredo-simon-tyler-clippard-added-to-nl-all-star-team/ |access-date=December 11, 2014 |work=CBS Sports}} In the All-Star game, Simón pitched a scoreless third inning, allowing one hit and striking out one batter.{{cite web |date=July 15, 2014 |title=National League All-Stars vs. American League All-Stars - Box Score - July 15, 2014 - ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=340715131&teams=national-all-stars-vs-american-all-stars |access-date=December 11, 2014 |work=ESPN}} He would win only three more games after the All-Star break, finishing at 15–10 with a 3.44 ERA in 32 starts, while throwing a career-high {{frac|196|1|3}} innings.

On December 11, 2014, the Reds traded Simón to the Detroit Tigers for Jonathon Crawford and Eugenio Suárez.{{cite web | url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2014/12/11/tigers-obtain-alfredo-simon-from-reds/20246663/ | title=Tigers obtain Alfredo Simon from Reds | agency=Associated Press | work=USA Today | date=December 11, 2014 | access-date=December 11, 2014}}{{cite web |last=Beck |first=Jason |date=December 11, 2014 |title=In separate deals, Tigers land Cespedes, Simon |url=http://m.tigers.mlb.com/news/article/103808976/tigers-acquire-yoenis-cespedes-from-red-sox-for-rick-porcello |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141215064133/http://m.tigers.mlb.com/news/article/103808976/tigers-acquire-yoenis-cespedes-from-red-sox-for-rick-porcello |archive-date=December 15, 2014 |access-date=December 11, 2014 |work=Detroit Tigers |publisher=MLB.com}} On January 16, 2015, Simón and the Tigers avoided arbitration when the two parties agreed on a one-year contract worth $5.5 million.{{cite web |url=http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2015/01/16/report-price-tigers-agree-year-deal/21868823/ |title=Tigers avoid arbitration with Price, Simon, J.D. Martinez |newspaper=The Detroit News|first=Lynn |last=Henning |date=January 16, 2015 |access-date=January 19, 2015}}

On August 20, 2015, Simón recorded his first career complete game shutout in the Tigers 4–0 win over the Texas Rangers. He allowed only one hit in the contest, a double to Rougned Odor in the fifth inning, while walking two and striking out five.{{cite web |date=August 20, 2015 |title=Simon throws 1-hitter, Tigers beat Rangers 4-0 |url=http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/gametracker/recap/MLB_20150820_TEX@DET |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924080624/http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/gametracker/recap/MLB_20150820_TEX@DET |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |access-date=August 21, 2015 |work=CBS Sports |publisher=Associated Press}}{{cite web |last1=Beck |first1=Jason |last2=Zúñiga |first2=Alejandro |date=August 20, 2015 |title=Simon blanks Rangers with 1-hitter |url=http://m.tigers.mlb.com/news/article/144342262/alfredo-simon-fires-1-hitter-to-beat-rangers |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150824064211/http://m.tigers.mlb.com/news/article/144342262/alfredo-simon-fires-1-hitter-to-beat-rangers |archive-date=August 24, 2015 |access-date=August 21, 2015 |work=Detroit Tigers |publisher=MLB.com}} Despite finishing the season with a league-worst 5.05 ERA, Simón led the Tigers in wins (13) and innings pitched (187).

On March 17, 2016, Simón signed a one-year deal to return to the Reds.{{cite web |last1=Buchanan |first1=Zach |date=March 17, 2016 |title=Cincinnati Reds add Alfredo Simon to rotation on one-year deal |url=http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/mlb/reds/2016/03/17/cincinnati-reds-add-alfredo-simon-rotation-one-year-deal/81912124/ |access-date=March 17, 2016 |website=The Cincinnati Enquirer}}

On June 6, 2017, Simon signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.{{Cite web |title=Transactions |url=http://alpb.bbstats.pointstreak.com/transactions.html?leagueid=174&seasonid=30757 |website=Atlantic League of Professional Baseball}} He became a free agent after the 2017 season. In 12 games (9 starts) he threw 55.1 innings going 2-3 with a 4.55 ERA with 48 strikeouts, 1 save and also throwing one complete game shutout.

On July 3, 2018, Simon signed with the Tigres de Quintana Roo of the Mexican Baseball League.{{cite web |title=Alfredo Simon Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball |url=https://www.milb.com/player/alfredo-simon-430580 |work=Minor League Baseball}} He was released on August 16, 2018. In 16 games 19.1 innings of relief he went 1-0 with a 2.33 ERA with 17 strikeouts and 4 saves.

On June 25, 2021, Simón signed with the Acereros de Monclova of the Mexican League. Simón allowed three runs without recording an out in his only appearance with Monclova, and was released by the team the next day.

Simón is primarily a fastball pitcher, throwing several varieties of the pitch. He throws four-seam and two-seam fastballs in the 92–94 MPH range (topping out at 97 MPH), plus a split-finger fastball in the 83–85 MPH range (topping out at 89 MPH). The split-finger is his favorite pitch with two strikes on the hitter. He also throws a standard curveball that averages about 77–79 MPH, plus an extremely slow curveball that averages about 66–69 MPH. The slow curve has been clocked as low as 49 MPH, leading some analysts to call it an eephus pitch.{{cite web |title=Alfredo Simon PitchFX at FanGraphs.com |url=http://www.fangraphs.com/pitchfx.aspx?playerid=2155&position=P |access-date=June 15, 2015 |website=FanGraphs |publisher=}}

In January 2011, Simón allegedly shot and killed Michel Castillo Almonte and wounded his 17-year-old brother during a New Year's Eve celebration in Luperón, Dominican Republic. Simón denied the allegations.{{Cite web |last=Connolly |first=Dan |date=January 2, 2011 |title=Orioles reliever Alfredo Simon is main suspect in fatal shooting |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/bs-xpm-2011-01-02-bal-alfredo-simon-shooting-0102-story.html |access-date=January 2, 2011 |website=The Baltimore Sun |language=en}} Police then announced their intention to file involuntary manslaughter charges.{{Cite web |date=January 3, 2011 |title=Orioles' Simon surrenders to Dominican police |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=5984195 |access-date=January 3, 2011 |website=ESPN |publisher=Associated Press |language=en}} In March 2011, Simón posted bail. On November 8, 2011, Simon was acquitted of involuntary manslaughter.{{cite web |date=November 8, 2011 |title=Alfredo Simon of Baltimore Orioles cleared of manslaughter charge |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/7208094/alfredo-simon-baltimore-orioles-cleared-manslaughter-charge |access-date=December 11, 2014 |work=ESPN |publisher=Associated Press}}

In April 2014, Simón was sued for $15 million by a woman who alleged that he had raped her in a Washington, D.C. hotel room about one year earlier, while the Reds were in Washington for a series against the Washington Nationals.{{cite web |author=Axon |first=Rachel |date=April 24, 2014 |title=Woman files lawsuit saying she was raped by Reds P Alfredo Simón |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/reds/2014/04/24/alfredo-simon-pitcher-rape-lawsuit-washington-dc/8115327/ |access-date=December 11, 2014 |work=USA Today}} While no charges were ever filed, a civil suit was still pending as of December 2014.{{cite web |last=Myers |first=Gene |date=December 17, 2014 |title=Tigers' Simon wants secret testimony from his accuser |url=http://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2014/12/16/detroit-tigers-alfredo-simon/20499607/ |access-date=June 16, 2015 |work=Detroit Free Press}}

• Rule 5 draft results

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{{Dominican Republic roster 2013 World Baseball Classic}}

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