Brooks Raley, a left-handed pitcher, embarked on his professional baseball journey when he was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the sixth round of the 2009 MLB Draft. His collegiate career at Texas A&M University had already showcased his potential, and the Cubs saw promise in his abilities on the mound. Raley made his Major League Baseball debut with the Cubs on August 7, 2012, against the San Diego Padres. During his initial stint in the majors, he appeared in five games, starting all of them, and finished the season with a 1-2 record and a 8.14 ERA.
Raley's time with the Cubs was brief, as he spent much of the following seasons bouncing between the major league team and their minor league affiliates. In 2013, he appeared in nine games for the Cubs, primarily as a reliever, but struggled to find consistency. His ERA for the season was 5.14, and he recorded 14 strikeouts over 21 innings pitched. Despite his challenges at the major league level, Raley continued to work on his craft in the minors, hoping for another opportunity to prove himself.
In 2014, the Minnesota Twins claimed Raley off waivers, but he did not make an appearance for their major league team. Instead, he spent the season with their Triple-A affiliate, the Rochester Red Wings. Seeking new opportunities, Raley decided to take his talents overseas, signing with the Lotte Giants of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) in 2015. This move marked a turning point in his career, as he found success in the KBO, becoming a reliable starter for the Giants.
Raley's tenure in the KBO lasted five seasons, from 2015 to 2019. During this period, he developed into a dependable pitcher, known for his durability and ability to eat innings. In 2019, his final season with the Giants, Raley posted a 14-13 record with a 3.88 ERA and 137 strikeouts over 181 innings. His performance in Korea revitalized his career and caught the attention of MLB scouts once again.
In December 2019, Raley signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds, which included an invitation to spring training. However, he did not make the Reds' Opening Day roster and was released in July 2020. Shortly thereafter, the Houston Astros signed him to a major league contract. Raley made his return to MLB on August 9, 2020, and became a valuable piece of the Astros' bullpen. During the shortened 2020 season, he appeared in 17 games, posting a 3.94 ERA with 21 strikeouts in 16 innings.
Raley continued to pitch for the Astros in 2021, solidifying his role as a left-handed reliever. He appeared in 58 games, recording a 4.78 ERA and 65 strikeouts over 49 innings. His ability to handle high-leverage situations and retire left-handed batters made him a useful asset for the Astros' bullpen. Raley's journey through various leagues and teams demonstrated his perseverance and adaptability as a professional athlete.
Throughout his career, Brooks Raley experienced the ups and downs that many professional athletes face.
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