Wil Ledezma

Wilfredo Ledezma
Ledezma as a non-roster invitee of the Washington Nationals in 2009 spring training.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Pitcher
Born: January 21, 1981 (1981-01-21)
Bats: Left	Throws: Left
MLB debut
April 2, 2003 for the Detroit Tigers
Career statistics (through 2011 season)
Win-Loss	15-25
Earned run average	5.40
Strikeouts	283
Teams
Detroit Tigers (2003–2007) Atlanta Braves (2007) San Diego Padres (2007–2008) Arizona Diamondbacks (2008) Washington Nationals (2009) Pittsburgh Pirates (2010) Toronto Blue Jays (2011)

Wilfredo Jose Ledezma (born January 21, 1981 in Guárico State, Venezuela) is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher who is with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. He has previously played for the Detroit Tigers, Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, Arizona Diamondbacks, Washington Nationals, Toronto Blue Jays and Pittsburgh Pirates. He bats and throws left-handed.

Career

Ledezma on the mound during 2008 spring training.

Boston Red Sox

Ledezma was originally signed by the Boston Red Sox as am amateur free agent in 1998. After playing in the Dominican Summer League in 1998, he was with the Gulf Coast Red Sox in 1999 and the Augusta Greenjackets in 2000. He missed the entire 2001 season due to a stress fracture in his left elbow. In 2002 he returned to Augusta but was shut down for the season on May 22 due to lower back strain.

Detroit Tigers

Ledezma was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 2002 Rule 5 draft on December 16, 2002 and made his Major League debut on April 2, 2003 for the Tigers, working two scoreless innings against the Minnesota Twins. His first win came in a two-inning relief appearance on June 4 against the San Diego Padres. He made his first start on July 8 against the Chicago White Sox. Overall, he was in 34 games (8 starts) during his rookie season and finished 3–7 with a 5.79 ERA.

Between 2004 and 2007, he alternated between pitching for the Tigers and for the AA Erie Seawolves and AAA Toledo Mud Hens. In 2004 with Erie, he was named the Tigers "minor league pitcher of the year" and selected to the Eastern League mid-season all-star team. He pitched in 106 games for Detroit, with a 15–18 record and 5.15 ERA. Ledezma was also the winning pitcher in game 4 of the 2006 American League Championship Series.

One of the most bizarre moments of the 2006 season occurred when Ledezma started on September 8. After giving up five earned runs in 4.1 innings, an obviously distressed Ledezma returned to the dugout and proceeded to dismantle and, literally, eat his hat.

Atlanta Braves

Ledezma was traded from the Tigers to the Atlanta Braves for Macay McBride on June 20, 2007. On July 13, 2007, he was placed on the restricted list. He had gone home to Venezuela during the All-Star break, during which he accidentally damaged his visa and passport in the washing machine. The Braves activated him from the restricted list on July 19, 2007. Ledezma was designated for assignment on July 29 by the Braves. He was 0–2 with a 7.71 ERA in 12 appearances for Atlanta.

San Diego Padres

On July 31, 2007, Ledezma was traded to the San Diego Padres for reliever Royce Ring. He appeared in 9 games with the Padres, with an ERA of 6.28 and also appeared in 11 games for the AAA Portland Beavers, where his ERA was 4.41.

Arizona Diamondbacks

On August 29, 2008, Ledezma was claimed off waivers by the Arizona Diamondbacks and appeared in 3 games for them before he was non-tendered following the season, becoming a free agent.

Washington Nationals

In January 2009, he signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals. He appeared in only 5 games for the Nationals, spending most of his time with the Syracuse Chiefs. He was released on July 6, 2009.

Toronto Blue Jays

Ledezma signed with the Toronto Blue Jays on August 5, 2009 and pitched in 8 games for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats and 3 for the Dunedin Blue Jays but was never called up to the Majors. In October 2009, he was granted free agency.

Pittsburgh Pirates

On November 30, 2009, Ledezma signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates, with an invite to Spring Training.

On July 27, 2010, he was called up with Steven Jackson to replace Brad Lincoln and Brendan Donnelly. The Pirates designated Ledezma for assignment on December 24, 2010 to clear roster space after signing free agent pitcher Aaron Thompson. He was in 27 games for the Pirates, with an 0–3 record and 6.86 ERA.

Toronto Blue Jays

On January 5, 2011, Ledezma was claimed off waivers by the Toronto Blue Jays. He began the 2011 season with the Triple-A Las Vegas 51s before having his contract purchased on July 23. Jo-Jo Reyes was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for Ledezma.

Following a 12–0 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on August 28 (during which Ledezma pitched the ninth inning and surrendered 6 earned runs on five hits and 3 walks), Ledezma was designated for assignment. Brian Tallet was called up to replace Ledezma. After the 2011 season, he elected for free agency.

Los Angeles Dodgers

In November 2011, he signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers that contained an invitation to spring training.

External links

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)