Pedro Báez
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Pedro Alberys Báez (born March 11, 1988) is a Dominican former professional
baseball Baseball is a bat-and-ball games, bat-and-ball sport played between two team sport, teams of nine players each, taking turns batting (baseball), batting and Fielding (baseball), fielding. The game occurs over the course of several Pitch ...
pitcher In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throws ("Pitch (baseball), pitches") the Baseball (ball), baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of out (baseball), retiring a batter (baseball), batter, ...
. He played in
Major League Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league composed of 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (baseball), National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada. MLB i ...
(MLB) for the
Los Angeles Dodgers The Los Angeles Dodgers are an American professional baseball team based in Los Angeles. The Dodgers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League West, West Div ...
and
Houston Astros The Houston Astros are an American professional baseball team based in Houston. The Astros compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League West, West Division. They are one of two major leag ...
. Signed as an international
free agent In professional sports, a free agent is a player or manager who is eligible to sign with other clubs or franchises; i.e., not under contract to any specific team. The term is also used in reference to a player who is under a contract at present ...
in 2007, Báez made his MLB debut with the Dodgers in 2014, and, in 2020, was a member of the Dodgers'
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championship club. From
Baní Baní is a capital town of the Peravia Province, Dominican Republic. It is the commercial and manufacturing center in the southern region of Valdesia. The town is located 65 km south of the capital city Santo Domingo. Baní is the headquart ...
,
Dominican Republic The Dominican Republic is a country located on the island of Hispaniola in the Greater Antilles of the Caribbean Sea in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean. It shares a Maritime boundary, maritime border with Puerto Rico to the east and ...
, the Dodgers originally signed Báez as a
third baseman A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball or softball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run. In the Baseball scorekeep ...
. He appeared in two
All-Star Futures Game The All-Star Futures Game is an annual baseball exhibition game hosted by Major League Baseball (MLB) in conjunction with the mid-summer MLB All-Star Game. A team of American League-affiliated prospects competes against a team of National League- ...
s while receiving recognition by ''
Baseball America ''Baseball America'' (BA) is a sports publication company that covers baseball at every level, including Major League Baseball (MLB), with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in Minor League Baseball (MiLB) college, high school, and inte ...
'' as having the best
infield Infield is a sports term whose definition depends on the sport in whose context it is used. Baseball In baseball, the baseball field, diamond, as well as the area immediately beyond it, has both grass and dirt, in contrast to the more distant, ...
arm and as the best defensive third baseman in the Dodgers'
minor league Minor leagues are professional sports leagues which are not regarded as the premier leagues in those sports. Minor league teams tend to play in smaller, less elaborate venues, often competing in smaller cities/markets. This term is used in Nort ...
system. Following the 2012 season, the club converted him to pitching. He appeared in six
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for Los Angeles. After reaching free agency following the 2020 season, Báez signed with the Astros. In early 2022, he rejoined the Dodgers organization.


Professional career


Minor leagues: 2007–2013


As a third baseman

Báez signed with the
Los Angeles Dodgers The Los Angeles Dodgers are an American professional baseball team based in Los Angeles. The Dodgers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League West, West Div ...
as a non-drafted
free agent In professional sports, a free agent is a player or manager who is eligible to sign with other clubs or franchises; i.e., not under contract to any specific team. The term is also used in reference to a player who is under a contract at present ...
out of Bani, Dominican Republic by assistant general manager Logan White on January 22, 2007, and began his career as a
third baseman A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball or softball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run. In the Baseball scorekeep ...
that season with the
Gulf Coast Dodgers The Arizona Complex League Dodgers are a Rookie-level affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers, competing in the Arizona Complex League of Minor League Baseball. The team plays its home games at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona. The team is compo ...
. In 53 games, he hit .274/.341/.408, leading the league with five sacrifice flies. His 39 RBIs ranked second in the
Gulf Coast League The Florida Complex League (FCL) is a rookie-level Minor League Baseball league that operates in Florida, United States. Before 2021, it was known as the Gulf Coast League (GCL). Together with the Arizona Complex League (ACL), it forms the low ...
, his 14 doubles ranked sixth, and his 35 runs ranked eighth, and he was rated as having the best infield arm in the Dodgers organization. He split the 2008 season between the
Ogden Raptors The Ogden Raptors are an independent baseball team of the Pioneer League, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball (MLB) but is an MLB Partner League. They are located in Ogden, Utah and play their home games at Lindquist Field. Pitch ...
of the
Pioneer Baseball League The Pioneer Baseball League (also known as simply the Pioneer League) is a professional baseball league based in the Western United States. It operates as one of four Major League Baseball (MLB) Partner Leagues in the American independent bas ...
and the
Great Lakes Loons The Great Lakes Loons are a Minor League Baseball team of the Midwest League and the High-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers. They are located in Midland, Michigan, and play their home games at Dow Diamond, which opened in April 2007. Hist ...
of the
Midwest League The Midwest League is a Minor League Baseball league established in 1947 and based in the Midwestern United States. A Class A league for most of its history, the league was promoted to High-A as part of Major League Baseball's 2021 reorganizat ...
, hitting .229/.285/.398 in 120 games with 13 home runs and 66 RBIs. He played in 79 games in 2009 for the
Inland Empire 66ers The Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino are a Minor League Baseball team of the California League and the Single-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels. The 66ers are based in San Bernardino, California, and play at San Manuel Stadium. Franchi ...
of the
California League The California League is a Minor League Baseball league that operates in California. Having been classified at various levels throughout its existence, it operated at Class A-Advanced from 1990 until its demotion to Single-A following Major Leagu ...
, hitting .286/.326/.445 with 10 homers and 61 RBIs. He was again cited by ''
Baseball America ''Baseball America'' (BA) is a sports publication company that covers baseball at every level, including Major League Baseball (MLB), with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in Minor League Baseball (MiLB) college, high school, and inte ...
'' as having the best infield arm in the Dodgers system and represented the World team in the 2009
All-Star Futures Game The All-Star Futures Game is an annual baseball exhibition game hosted by Major League Baseball (MLB) in conjunction with the mid-summer MLB All-Star Game. A team of American League-affiliated prospects competes against a team of National League- ...
. In 2010 Báez spent most of the season with the 66ers, but finished the year with the
Chattanooga Lookouts The Chattanooga Lookouts are a Minor League Baseball team of the Southern League and the Double-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. They are based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and are named for nearby Lookout Mountain. The team plays its home g ...
of the
Class AA Double-A (officially Class AA) is the second-highest level of play in Minor League Baseball in the United States since 1946, below only Triple-A. There are currently 30 teams classified at the Double-A level, one for each team in Major League B ...
Southern League. He played in 84 games, hitting .263/.313/.348 with six homers and 45 RBIs. He was selected to the World team at the
All-Star Futures Game The All-Star Futures Game is an annual baseball exhibition game hosted by Major League Baseball (MLB) in conjunction with the mid-summer MLB All-Star Game. A team of American League-affiliated prospects competes against a team of National League- ...
for a second straight season. Báez appeared in 32 games early in 2011 with the Lookouts, hitting only .210/.278/.381 in 105 at bats before spending most of the season on the disabled list. In 2012 with the Lookouts, he was selected to the mid-season Southern League all-star team. Between the Lookouts and the
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes are a Minor League Baseball team of the California League and the Single-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers. They are located in Rancho Cucamonga, California, and play their home games at LoanMart Field. The franc ...
, he played in 128 games and hit .221/.306/.374 with 11 homers and 59 RBIs. He was rated by ''Baseball America'' as being the Dodgers best minor league defensive infielder and having the best infield arm.


As a pitcher

After the 2012 season, the Dodgers decided that they would attempt to convert Báez from third base and make him a pitcher. To that point he had played 484 minor league games at third base, one at shortstop, and one at first base. The Dodgers added Báez to the 40-man roster on November 20, 2013. He was assigned, as a pitcher, to the Quakes to start the 2013 season, but was promoted to Chattanooga at mid-season. Between the two levels, he appeared in 48 games out of the bullpen and was 3–3 with two saves and a 3.88 ERA in 58 innings. He then pitched 4.1 innings for the Glendale Desert Dogs of the Arizona Fall League after the season.


Los Angeles Dodgers

Báez began the 2014 season with the Lookouts, and was called up to the Majors for the first time on May 5. He made his MLB debut later that night against the Washington Nationals. He allowed a single and a two-run homer to his first two batters before retiring the next three players in his one inning of work. He returned to the minors following the game. After another one game appearance for the Dodgers in July, he joined the bullpen in August and remained there the rest of the season. In 20 appearances, he had an ERA of 2.63, struck out 18 and walked 5. In 2015, he pitched in 52 games with a 3.35 ERA. In the minors, with Chattanooga and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes, he pitched in 40 games with a 3.86 ERA and 12 saves. He made the roster for the 2014 National League Division Series (NLDS) against the St. Louis Cardinals, and allowed two runs in innings. The runs he allowed were on a two-run homer by Matt Holliday in game one. Báez made the 2015 Dodgers opening day roster. He went 4–2 with a 3.35 ERA in 51 innings over 52 games with 60 strikeouts against only 11 walks. His first major league win came when he threw scoreless innings of relief against the Colorado Rockies on May 10. The following week Báez was placed on the DL with a right pectoral strain and completed 3 scoreless innings in three rehab appearances in Triple-A Oklahoma City before returning to the big league club. In game three of the 2015 National League Division Series, 2015 NLDS, all three of the batters he faced reached base, two by walk, and he was charged with three runs without getting an out. In 2016 Báez ranked second among Dodger relievers with career-high marks in games (73) and innings (74). He went 3–2 with a 3.04 ERA and 83 strikeouts and limited opponents to a .195 batting average. He also allowed 11 home runs and walked 22 batters. He pitched scoreless innings over four games against the Nationals in the 2016 National League Division Series, 2016 NLDS but allowed six runs in innings in three games of the 2016 National League Championship Series against the Chicago Cubs. The slow pace of play employed by Báez during the 2016 postseason drew criticism from reporters and is frequently referenced in support of MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred's quest to speed up baseball with "pace of play" initiatives. Báez was hit with a ball while throwing batting practice early in spring training in 2017, which caused him to miss most of training camp and begin the season on the disabled list. He rejoined the team on April 14. In a team-leading 66 relief appearances for the 2017 Dodgers he was 3–6 with a 2.95 ERA and 64 strikeouts. He struggled with his command in September, giving up five home runs over a short span and finding himself booed by the home fans. Báez was on the Dodgers roster for the 2017 NLDS but did not appear in a game and was removed from the playoff roster for subsequent series. After receiving written warnings from Commissioner Rob Manfred, Báez decreased his average time between pitches and Jeremy Jeffress took over the distinction of being the slowest relief pitcher in 2017. Báez agreed to terms with the Dodgers on a $1.5 million contract for 2018 to avoid salary arbitration. In his fifth major league season in 2018 Báez was 4–3 and posted a 2.88 ERA in 55 relief appearances. He struck out 62 batters in innings of work, and held opposing batters to a .220 average. During the 2018 postseason, Báez went 1–0 with a 1.59 ERA in innings, striking out 14 batters against 5 walks. Báez finished the 2019 season 7–2 with one save (the first in his career) and a 3.10 ERA, and led the Dodgers in games pitched with 71, in which he pitched 69.2 innings. Báez was awarded a $4 million contract for 2020 after going to an arbitration hearing with the Dodgers. In the Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports#Baseball, pandemic-shortened 2020 Los Angeles Dodgers season, 2020 season, Báez pitched 17 innings in 18 games with six earned runs allowed for a 3.18 ERA, and saved two games. Báez pitched one scoreless inning in the 2020 National League Division Series, NLDS and allowed one run on two hits in innings over four games in the 2020 National League Championship Series, NLCS. In the 2020 World Series against the 2020 Tampa Bay Rays season, Tampa Bay Rays, he allowed two runs (on two solo home runs) in over three games as the Dodgers secured the championship.


Houston Astros

On January 15, 2021 Houston Astros season, 2021, Báez signed a two-year, $12.5 million contract with the 2021 Houston Astros season, Houston Astros. Báez missed the beginning of the season after he tested positive for COVID-19 in Spring Training and was placed on the 60-day injured list on April 26, 2021, with shoulder soreness. On August 10, Báez was activated off of the injured list. He appeared in three games early in the 2022 Houston Astros season, 2022 season for Houston, tallying total innings and allowing five hits, three walks, and three earned runs. On April 26, 2022, Baez was designated for assignment. Baez cleared waivers and was released by the Astros the following day.


Los Angeles Dodgers (second stint)

On May 19, 2022 Los Angeles Dodgers season, 2022, Báez signed a minor league deal to return to the
Los Angeles Dodgers The Los Angeles Dodgers are an American professional baseball team based in Los Angeles. The Dodgers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League West, West Div ...
organization. He pitched in five games in the Arizona Complex League and seven games for the Oklahoma City Dodgers, allowing 11 runs in 11 innings. He was released on August 20.


Nickname

During the 2018 MLB Players Weekend, Báez wore the nickname "LA MULA" ("THE MULE" in Spanish) on his jersey. Báez says he earned the nickname for his tremendous work ethic in the
Los Angeles Dodgers The Los Angeles Dodgers are an American professional baseball team based in Los Angeles. The Dodgers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League West, West Div ...
bullpen. He was also known as the "Human Rain Delay" due to his extremely slow pitching style.


References


External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Baez, Pedro 1988 births Living people Albuquerque Isotopes players Arizona Complex League Dodgers players Arizona League Dodgers players Baseball third basemen Chattanooga Lookouts players Dominican Republic expatriate baseball players in the United States Fayetteville Woodpeckers players Glendale Desert Dogs players Great Lakes Loons players Gulf Coast Dodgers players Houston Astros players Inland Empire 66ers players Los Angeles Dodgers players Major League Baseball pitchers Major League Baseball players from the Dominican Republic 21st-century Dominican Republic sportsmen Ogden Raptors players Oklahoma City Dodgers players Rancho Cucamonga Quakes players Sugar Land Skeeters players Tigres del Licey players Tulsa Drillers players Baseball players from Baní