Jake Odorizzi, a right-handed pitcher, began his Major League Baseball career with the Kansas City Royals. Drafted in the first round of the 2008 MLB Draft, Odorizzi's journey to the majors was marked by steady progress through the minor leagues. His debut with the Royals came in 2012, where he pitched in two games, offering a glimpse of his potential on the mound.
Following his brief stint with Kansas City, Odorizzi was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays in December 2012 as part of a multi-player deal. It was with the Rays that he truly began to establish himself as a reliable starting pitcher. In 2013, he spent most of the season in Triple-A but made seven appearances for Tampa Bay. The following year, Odorizzi secured a spot in the Rays' starting rotation. During the 2014 season, he made 31 starts, posting an 11-13 record with a 4.13 ERA and 174 strikeouts over 168 innings. His performance demonstrated his ability to handle a full season in the majors.
Odorizzi continued to be a mainstay in the Rays' rotation over the next few years. In 2015, he improved his ERA to 3.35, despite a 9-9 record, and struck out 150 batters in 169.1 innings. His consistency on the mound was a valuable asset for the Rays, and he maintained similar performance levels in 2016 and 2017. During the 2016 season, Odorizzi achieved a career-best 3.69 ERA over 33 starts, with a 10-6 record and 166 strikeouts.
In February 2018, Odorizzi was traded to the Minnesota Twins. His first season with the Twins saw him make 32 starts, finishing with a 7-10 record and a 4.49 ERA. Despite some struggles, he remained a dependable option in the rotation. The 2019 season marked a high point in Odorizzi's career. He was selected to his first All-Star Game, thanks to a strong first half of the season. He ended the year with a 15-7 record, a 3.51 ERA, and 178 strikeouts over 159 innings, helping the Twins secure a playoff berth.
The 2020 season, shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic, was challenging for Odorizzi. Injuries limited him to just four starts, and he finished with a 6.59 ERA. Despite the setbacks, he entered free agency after the season and signed with the Houston Astros in March 2021. With the Astros, Odorizzi aimed to bounce back and provide veteran leadership to the pitching staff. During the 2021 season, he made 24 appearances, including 23 starts, and recorded a 6-7 record with a 4.21 ERA.
Throughout his career, Odorizzi was known for his effective use of a four-seam fastball, splitter, and slider, which allowed him to keep hitters off balance.
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