Rob Wooten

{{Infobox baseball biography

| name=Rob Wooten

| position=Pitcher

| image=Rob Wooten May 22 2014.jpg

| caption=Wooten with the Milwaukee Brewers

| team=

| number=

| bats=Right

| throws=Right

| birth_date={{birth date and age|1985|7|21}}

| birth_place=Goldsboro, North Carolina, U.S.

|debutleague = MLB

| debutdate= July 26

| debutyear= 2013

| debutteam= Milwaukee Brewers

|finalleague = MLB

| finaldate= May 7

| finalyear= 2015

| finalteam= Milwaukee Brewers

|statleague = MLB

| stat1label=Win–loss record

| stat1value= 4–5

| stat2label=Earned run average

| stat2value= 5.03

| stat3label=Strikeouts

| stat3value= 53

| teams=

Milwaukee Brewers ({{mlby|2013}}–{{mlby|2015}})

}}

Robert Davis Wooten (born July 21, 1985) is an American former Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher who played for the Milwaukee Brewers from 2013 to 2015.

College career

Wooten earned a bachelor's degree in exercise and sport science from the University of North Carolina. During his playing days at North Carolina, the team advanced to three straight College World Series appearances from 2006 to 2008.{{cite web|title=Rob Wooten 'View MoreBio Info'|url=https://www.mlb.com/player/rob-wooten-543942|website=mlb.com|publisher=Major League Baseball|access-date=26 January 2017}} In 2007, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Chatham A's of the Cape Cod Baseball League.{{cite web|author= |url=http://capecodbaseball.org.ismmedia.com/ISM3/std-content/repos/Top/2012website/archives/Current%20Year/All_Time_MLB_CCBL_Alumni.pdf |title=Major League Baseball Players From the Cape Cod League |publisher=capecodbaseball.org |date= |access-date=January 9, 2020}}{{cite web|url=http://www.thebaseballcube.com/college/summer/stats.asp?Y=2007&T=Chatham%20As |title=2007 Chatham As |publisher=thebaseballcube.com |accessdate=September 23, 2021}}

Professional career

=Milwaukee Brewers=

Wooten made his major league debut for the Brewers against the Colorado Rockies, pitching a scoreless inning. He emerged as a second setup man to closer Jim Henderson, along with Brandon Kintzler. Wooten usually pitched in the 7th inning, Kintzler in the 8th, and Henderson closed it out in the 9th.

Wooten didn't make the team out of spring training, but was recalled after Henderson (who was no longer the closer, but a setup man to Francisco Rodriguez) was placed on the DL with right shoulder inflammation.

Wooten was outrighted off the Brewers roster on May 28, 2015.{{cite news|title=Brewers outright Wooten, more pitching moves upcoming|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=mlb&id=12972412|access-date=May 30, 2015|agency=Associated Press|work=ESPN.com|date=May 28, 2015}}

=Atlanta Braves=

Wooten signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves on January 13, 2016.{{cite news|last1=Eddy|first1=Matt|title=Minor League Transactions: Jan. 8-14|url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/minor-league-transactions-jan-8-14-2/|access-date=January 23, 2016|work=Baseball America|date=January 18, 2016}} On May 3, Wooten was released by the Braves,{{cite news|last1=Eddy|first1=Matt|title=Minor League Transactions: April 29-May 5|url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/minor-league-transactions-april-29-may-5/|access-date=July 1, 2016|work=Baseball America|date=May 9, 2016}} but he re–signed with the Braves on a new minor league contract on May 22.{{cite news|last1=Eddy|first1=Matt|title=Minor League Transactions: May 20–26|url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/minor-league-transactions-april-22-26/|access-date=July 1, 2016|work=Baseball America|date=May 30, 2016}} In 35 appearances for the Triple–A Gwinnett Braves, he compiled a 3–5 record and 3.58 ERA with 60 strikeouts across 73 innings pitched. Wooten elected free agency following the season on November 7.{{Cite web|title=Minor League Free Agents 2016|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2016/?amphtml|access-date=2023-05-29|website=baseballamerica.com|date=November 8, 2016 |language=en}}

=Cincinnati Reds=

On December 20, 2016, Wooten signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds.{{cite web|url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/12/minor-mlb-transactions-122016.html|title=Minor MLB Transactions: 12/20/16|last=Byrne|first=Connor|work=mlbtraderumors.com|date=December 20, 2016|access-date=December 20, 2016}} He made 6 starts for the Triple–A Louisville Bats in 2017, registering a 1–3 record and 6.94 ERA with 26 strikeouts across {{fraction|23|1|3}} innings pitched.{{Cite web|title=Rob Wooten Stats & Scouting Report|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/players/14083-rob-wooten/stats/|access-date=October 3, 2024|website=baseballamerica.com|language=en}}

Wooten spent the 2018 campaign with the rookie–level Arizona League Reds, also playing in one game for Triple–A Louisville. In 7 games for the AZL Reds, he recorded an 8.16 ERA with 15 strikeouts across {{fraction|14|1|3}} innings pitched. Wooten elected free agency following the season on November 3, 2018.{{Cite web|title=Minor League Free Agents 2018|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2018/|access-date=May 17, 2024|website=baseballamerica.com|date=November 6, 2018 |language=en}}

On January 4, 2019, Wooten re-signed with Cincinnati on a minor league contract.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-transactions-dec-19-2018-jan-10-2019/|title=Minor League Transactions: Dec 19 - Jan 10|work=Baseball America|first=Matt|last=Eddy|date=January 12, 2019|access-date=January 12, 2019}} In 9 starts split between Louisville and the Double–A Chattanooga Lookouts, he compiled a 1–3 record and 6.25 ERA with 30 strikeouts over 36 innings pitched. Wooten did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|title=2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2020-minor-league-baseball-season-canceled|access-date=September 21, 2024|website=mlb.com|language=en}} Wooten announced his retirement from professional baseball on April 18, 2020.

Coaching career

On January 14, 2021, Wooten was announced as the pitching coach for the Chattanooga Lookouts, the Double-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds.

On May 11, 2022, Wooten was hired to serve as the head baseball coach at Grace Christian School in Sanford, North Carolina.{{Cite web|title=Crusaders Hire Former MLB Player Rob Wooten|url=https://www.gracechristiansanford.com/news/crusaders-hire-former-mlb-player-rob-wooten/|access-date=May 20, 2024|website=gracechristiansanford.com|date=May 11, 2022 |language=en}}

Personal life

Wooten is a Christian.{{cite web|title=Brewers find fine line between superstition and faith|url=http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/250671561.html}}