Clay Rapada
Clayton Anthony Rapada is a Filipino American former professional baseball relief pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball for the Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers, Texas Rangers, Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees, and Cleveland Indians. He is currently an assistant pitching coordinator for the San Francisco Giants organization.
He has appeared in 152 major league games, but has pitched only 93 innings in that time, averaging about of an inning per appearance. He does, however, hold a unique major league record; he has a career win-loss record of 8–0 for a winning percentage of 1.000. This marks the most wins for a pitcher without ever being charged with a loss.
Early life
Rapada was born in Chesapeake, Virginia to a Filipino father whose roots traces to Cabangan, Zambales and an American mother. He graduated from Deep Creek High School of Chesapeake, Virginia in 1999 and was a fan of the Chicago Cubs. He then attended Virginia State University and played on the NCAA Division II Trojans baseball team. As a freshman, Rapada went 7-1 and was planning on transferring to Old Dominion before he was approached by a Chicago Cubs scout.Playing career
Chicago Cubs
Rapada signed with the Chicago Cubs as an undrafted free agent in 2002. Rapada made his professional debut with the Single-A Boise Hawks in 2002 and spent part of the 2003 season with the team as well. He was promoted to the Single-A Lansing Lugnuts, where he posted a 4.96 earned run average and recorded 27 strikeouts over innings pitched, primarily in relief.In 2004, Cubs coaches suggested that Rapada try a sidearm delivery. Rapada showed improvement that season for the Lugnuts, going 6–6 with an ERA of 2.33 in 57 appearances. He was a Midwest League Post-Season All-Star.
In 2005, the Cubs moved Rapada up to the High-A Daytona Cubs, where he went 1–3 with an ERA 3.83 in 27 appearances. In 2006, he pitched for both the Double-A West Tenn Diamond Jaxx and the Triple-A Iowa Cubs. Between the two teams, he appeared in 61 games and posted an ERA of 1.59. He was selected as a Southern League All-Star while with the Diamond Jaxx.
Rapada made his major league debut with the Chicago Cubs on June 14, 2007, against the Seattle Mariners. He faced one batter, Raúl Ibañez, who lined out to Cubs right fielder Cliff Floyd. Rapada was sent back to the Iowa Cubs without making another appearance.
Detroit Tigers
On August 30, 2007, Rapada was announced as the player to be named later in the trade between the Tigers and Cubs involving outfielder Craig Monroe. He was assigned to Triple-A Toledo.Rapada made his Tigers debut on September 9, 2007. In a coincidence, he faced Ibáñez again, giving up a three-run home run. He was pulled immediately after, without getting an out, giving him the distinction of facing the same batter twice in his first two major league appearances. He pitched in four games for the Tigers.
He earned his first major league victory on April 15, 2008, as the Tigers beat the Minnesota Twins 6–5.
Rapada did not make the Tigers 25-man roster and began the 2009 season playing for the Toledo Mud Hens.
Texas Rangers
On December 7, 2009, Rapada was traded to the Texas Rangers for a player to be named later or cash considerations. On December 16, Rapada was outrighted off the 40-man roster to Triple-A.Rapada played most of the 2010 season with the minor league Oklahoma City RedHawks. On September 3, 2010, Texas called up Rapada to the major league roster.
Rapada was listed as an alternative during the postseason when the Texas Rangers would make it to the World Series for the first time in franchise history. The Rangers would eventually lose the 2010 World Series against the San Francisco Giants.
On January 14, 2011, Rapada was placed on release waivers by the Rangers.
Baltimore Orioles
On January 25, 2011, Rapada was signed by the Baltimore Orioles and invited to spring training to compete for a roster spot. After being sent to the minors after spring training, Rapada was called up by Baltimore on April 17. He made his Orioles debut on April 18 with two outs in the seventh inning against the Minnesota Twins. He was designated for assignment on June 29. In innings with Baltimore, Rapada had a 6.06 ERA.After being designated for assignment on February 6, Rapada was released by the Orioles on February 15. He leads the major leagues in left-handers' batting average who face him since 2010.