Warner Madrigal

From BR Bullpen

Warner Antonio Madrigal

  • Bats Right, Throws Right
  • Height 6' 0", Weight 200 lb.

BR page

Biographical Information[edit]

Warner Madrigal was an All-Star outfielder in the minor leagues but struggled as he moved up the ladder and became a pitcher; two years later, he was in the major leagues.

Madrigal was signed by scout Leo Perez for the Anaheim Angels in 2001 for $150,000 and began his career with the DSL Angels , hitting only .181 and .229 in 2001 and 2002, respectively. In 2003 he came to the Provo Angels and put up a very good season, batting .369/.394/.581 with 28 doubles and 75 runs in 70 games. He led the Pioneer League in runs, doubles, hits (103), extra-base hits (39) and total bases (162) and was third in the league in average. He was voted the 7th-best prospect in the league and made the All-Star team as an outfielder - the only All-Star on the champion Angels. Warner did not play much the next year, getting into only 26 games for the Cedar Rapids Kernels, hitting .275/.330/.396. Playing regularly for Cedar Rapids in 2005, Madrigal batted .247/.288/.420 with 15 homers. He slipped to .235/.273/.348 for the 2006 Kernels and was converted to pitching. He made his mound debut with the AZL Angels and went 2-1 with 5 saves and a 3.75 ERA in 12 games.

In 2007, Madrigal went 5-4 with 20 saves and a 2.07 ERA as the Cedar Rapids closer. He struck out 75 in 61 innings and allowed 44 hits and a .202 average. He did not give up a home run after May. He was second in the Midwest League in K/9 IP and 4th in saves. He spent the winter with the Escogido Lions, throwing 3 2/3 scoreless innings. The Angels inadvertantly left him off the 40 man roster before the 2007 World Series, he became a minor league free agent.

A free agent, Madrigal signed with the Texas Rangers and was assigned to the Frisco RoughRiders. He had a 1-0, 10 Sv, 1.72 record in 14 games there and was moved up to AAA with the Oklahoma RedHawks. The right-hander fanned 25 in 20 1/3 IP for Oklahoma City and saved four games, with a 3.98 ERA. He was then promoted to the majors when Kason Gabbard was put on the disabled list.

Madrigal made his big league debut in horrendous form. He entered in the bottom of the 7th against the Yankees with a 7-6 lead, replacing Joaquin Benoit. Bobby Abreu greeted him with a double. He walked Alex Rodriguez and both Jason Giambi and Jorge Posada doubled to make it 9-7. Robinson Cano singled. Madrigal finally retired a batter when Wilson Betemit ground out, scoring Posada. After a wild pitch, Brett Gardner singled home Cano. Jamey Wright replaced the ineffective rookie and allowed Gardner to score; Madrigal had been charged with 6 runs and had only retired one better for a 162 ERA.

  • Sources: Pat Doyle's Professional Baseball Player Database, 2004-2006 Baseball Almanacs, 2008 Rangers Media Guide

Warner continued to pitch professionally and was still active in 2020.

Related Sites[edit]