Carlos Estévez (baseball)

{{Infobox baseball biography

| name = Carlos Estévez

| image = Carlos Estevez on July 31, 2016 (cropped).jpg

| caption = Estévez with the Rockies in 2016

| team = Kansas City Royals

| number = 53

| position = Pitcher

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1992|12|28}}

| birth_place = Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

| bats = Right

| throws = Right

| debutleague = MLB

| debutdate = April 23

| debutyear = 2016

| debutteam = Colorado Rockies

| statyear = April 29, 2025

| statleague = MLB

| stat1label = Win–loss record

| stat1value = 28–31

| stat2label = Earned run average

| stat2value = 4.15

| stat3label = Strikeouts

| stat3value = 452

| stat4label = Saves

| stat4value = 90

| teams =

Colorado Rockies ({{mlby|2016}}–{{mlby|2022}})
Los Angeles Angels ({{mlby|2023}}–{{mlby|2024}})
Philadelphia Phillies ({{mlby|2024}})
Kansas City Royals ({{mlby|2025}}–present)

| awards =

All-Star (2023)

}}

Carlos Samuel Estévez (born December 28, 1992) is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher for the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Angels, and Philadelphia Phillies. Estévez made his MLB debut in 2016 with the Rockies. He was an All-Star in 2023.

Career

=Colorado Rockies=

Estévez signed with the Rockies as a free agent in 2011, at the age of 18. On November 20, 2015, the Rockies added Estévez to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.{{Cite web |last=Johns |first=Greg |date=November 20, 2015 |title=Rockies' John Axford designated for assignment: Brothers, Rosario, Kahnle also designated as prospects added to roster |url=http://m.rockies.mlb.com/news/article/157821672/rockies-john-axford-designated-for-assignment |access-date=February 4, 2016 |website=MLB.com |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304125731/http://m.rockies.mlb.com/news/article/157821672/rockies-john-axford-designated-for-assignment |url-status=dead }} He was promoted the major leagues on April 22, 2016.{{Cite web |last=Nick Groke |date=April 22, 2016 |title=Rockies make a bevy of roster moves, as Miguel Castro heads to 15-day disabled list |url=http://www.denverpost.com/rockies/ci_29801716/miguel-castro-moved-rockies-15-day-disabled-list |access-date=April 25, 2016 |website=The Denver Post}} He made his debut on April 23.{{Cite web |last=Perkins |first=Owen |date=April 23, 2016 |title=Rockies pitcher Carlos Estevez makes debut |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/rockies-pitcher-carlos-estevez-makes-debut-c174164134 |access-date=April 25, 2016 |website=MLB.com}} When Rockies' closer Jake McGee went on the disabled list in June, Estévez became the Rockies' new closer.{{Cite web |last=Saunders |first=Patrick |date=June 16, 2016 |title=Carlos Estevez channels inner "Wild Thing" as Rockies' closer |url=http://www.denverpost.com/2016/06/16/carlos-estevez-channels-inner-wild-thing-as-rockies-closer/ |access-date=June 22, 2016 |website=The Denver Post}} He finished the 2016 season with a 3-7 record, 63 appearances and 11 saves, and a 5.24 ERA.

On April 3, 2017, Estévez pitched a hitless sixth, earning the win against the Milwaukee Brewers on Opening Day.{{Cite news |last=Armas |first=Genaro |date=April 3, 2017 |title=Rockies win in debuts of Black, Holland, beat Brewers 7-5 |language=en-US |work=AP News |url=https://apnews.com/51a2fef436394e70aa83a2d85293c0e5/Rockies-win-in-debuts-of-Black,-Holland,-beat-Brewers-7-5 |access-date=April 6, 2017}} On June 18, 2017, Estévez was recalled from Albuquerque to the Rockies to replace Chad Qualls, who went to the 10-day disabled list.{{Cite news |last=Harding |first=Thomas |date=June 17, 2017 |title=Arenado completes cycle with walk-off homer |language=en-US |work=MLB.com |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/rockies-nolan-arenado-hits-for-cycle-c237315934 |access-date=June 17, 2017}} In 35 appearances, he finished with a record of 5–0 and an ERA of 5.57.

Estévez missed the entire 2018 season following several injuries, remaining with the Triple–A Albuquerque Isotopes. The following season, Estévez finished with a 3.75 ERA and 81 strikeouts in 71 games.

In 2020 Estévez's performance regressed from the previous season as he allowed 21 runs in 24 innings pitched, and was 1-3 with a 7.50 ERA. In 2021, he was 3-5 as he pitched in 64 games, posting an ERA of 4.38 with 11 saves.

=Los Angeles Angels=

On December 5, 2022, Estévez signed a two-year, $13.5 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels.{{Cite news |date=December 5, 2022 |title=Angels sign RHP Carlos Estévez to two-year contract |language=en-US |work=MLB.com |url=https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-angels-sign-rhp-carlos-estevez-to-two-year-contract |access-date=December 5, 2022}} In the first half of the 2023 season, Estévez had a 1.80 ERA and was successful in converting 21-of-21 save opportunities. He was selected to the 2023 MLB All-Star Game.{{Cite web |last= |date=July 10, 2023 |title=Charlie Sheen thrilled Angels All-Star closer Carlos Estévez made a name for himself |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/angels/story/2023-07-10/charlie-sheen-angels-all-star-closer-carlos-estevez-share-name |access-date=July 14, 2023 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}} For the 2023 season, he was 5-5 with a 3.90 ERA, as in the second half he had a 6.59 ERA.[https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.fcgi?id=estevca01&year=2023&t=p "Carlos Estévez,"] Baseball Reference.

Estévez made 34 appearances for the Angels in 2024, compiling a 2.38 ERA with 32 strikeouts and 20 saves across 34 innings of work.

=Philadelphia Phillies=

On July 27, 2024, the Angels traded Estévez to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for Samuel Aldegheri and George Klassen.{{cite news |last1=Passan |first1=Jeff |title=Phillies land Angels closer Carlos Estevez for two prospects |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/40658424/phillies-land-angels-closer-carlos-estevez-two-prospects |access-date=July 28, 2024 |work=ESPN.com |date=July 27, 2024}}{{cite news |last1=Zolecki |first1=Todd |title=Phils acquire reliever Estévez from Angels for pair of top pitching prospects |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/carlos-estevez-traded-to-phillies-from-angels |access-date=July 28, 2024 |date=July 27, 2024}} In 20 games for Philadelphia, Estévez posted a 2.57 ERA with 18 strikeouts and 6 saves across 21 innings pitched.{{Cite web |title=Carlos Estévez Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News |url=https://www.mlb.com/player/carlos-estevez-608032 |access-date=February 2, 2025 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}

On October 9, in Game 4 of the 2024 National League Division Series against the New York Mets, he was sent to pitch in the bottom of the 6th inning with the bases loaded and surrendered a grand slam to Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor giving them a 4–1 lead, which was the final score. The Mets went on to eliminate the Phillies from the NLDS.{{Cite web |title=Phillies' World-Series-or-bust season ends with NLDS heartbreak |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/phillies-lose-2024-nlds-to-mets |access-date=February 2, 2025 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=October 10, 2024 |title='Swing of lifetime': Lindor slam puts Mets in NLCS |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/41707306/francisco-lindor-grand-slam-ousts-phillies-lifts-mets-nlcs |access-date=February 2, 2025 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}

=Kansas City Royals=

On January 31, 2025, Estévez signed a two-year, $22 million contract with the Kansas City Royals including a club option for a third year, which would up the deal to $33 million.{{cite web |title=Carlos Estévez finalizes a $22 million, 2-year contract with the Kansas City Royals |url=https://apnews.com/article/royals-carlos-estevez-f18738e124812af4947c1cb95d1d8877 |website=AP News |date=February 2025 |publisher=Associated Press News |access-date=February 1, 2025}}

Personal life

An anime fan, Estévez keeps figurines of his favorite characters inside his locker, including characters from Dragon Ball Z, Naruto, and One Piece.{{cite news |last=Garro |first=Adrian |title=Carlos Estévez keeps favorite anime close on game day |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/carlos-estevez-brought-love-of-anime-to-all-star-game |work=MLB.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media |date=August 21, 2023 |access-date=September 2, 2024}} In 2016, Estévez met actor Charlie Sheen, who shares his birth name, and the two have kept in correspondence since.