Ernesto Frieri

Ernesto Frieri Gutierrez
(Big Ern)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 2", Weight 190 lb.

• Debut September 26, 2009
• Final Game July 3, 2017
• Born July 19, 1985 in Arjona, Bolivar Colombia

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Biographical information

Ernesto Frieri is a pitcher who made his debut with the San Diego Padres late in the 2009 season.

Frieri was signed by scouts Robert Rowley and Marcial Del Valle. He began his professional career in 2003, going 1-4 with a 4.00 ERA for the Tronconero 1 and striking out 49 in 36 innings. In 2004, the Colombian right-hander fanned 59 in 50 1/3 IP for the DSL Padres, going 4-0 with a 1.43 ERA. He came to the US in 2005, splitting the season between the AZL Padres and Lake Elsinore Storm. For the AZL Padres, he went 7-1 with a 1.17 ERA in 17 games (five starts). In 46 1/3 innings, he struck out 59 batters. In two relief appearances with the Storm, he went 0-0 with a 2.70 ERA. He led the Arizona League in ERA, lowest average allowed (.122; 21 H in 46 1/3 IP) and tied for Rayner Oliveros the lead in victories. He was named the All-Star right-handed relief pitcher. Baseball America rated him as the #19 prospect in the AZL.

He played for three teams in 2006: the Eugene Emeralds, Fort Wayne Wizards and Lake Elsinore Storm. With the Emeralds, he went 3-3 with a 3.82 ERA in 27 appearances (one start). HIn one game with the Wizards he had a 9.00 ERA, and in two games with the Storm he had a 6.00 ERA. He played for the Wizards (40 games) and Storm in 2007 (13 games), going a combined 2-2 with a 1.98 ERA and 92 strikeouts in 86 1/3 innings.

In 2008, he played for the Storm, San Antonio Missions and Portland Beavers. He went 8-6 with a 4.00 ERA in 33 games (18 starts) with the Storm. With the Missions, he went 1-0 with a 4.09 ERA in two games, and with the Beavers he went 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA in one game.

Ernesto Frieri was absolutely brilliant after being acquired by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in a trade on May 3, 2012. In his first 10 innings for the Angels, he did not allow a single hit and recorded 22 strikeouts. After 25 1/3 innings, he had still not allowed a run, while giving up only 7 hits against 43 strikeouts. His string was finally snapped on July 15th, when he gave up a two-run homer to the New York Yankees' Mark Teixeira, having run the string to 26 1/3 innings in the meantime.

Notable Achievements

• 30 Saves Seasons: 1 (2013)

Related Sites

• Ernesto Frieri on mlb.com