Jason Frasor
Toronto Blue Jays – No. 54
Pitcher
Born: (1977-08-09) August 9, 1977 (age 34) Chicago, Illinois
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
MLB debut
April 16, 2004 for the Toronto Blue Jays
Career statistics (through May 17, 2012)
Win–Loss	25–30
Earned run average	3.72
Strikeouts	464
WHIP	1.31
Saves	36
Teams
Toronto Blue Jays (2004–2011) Chicago White Sox (2011) Toronto Blue Jays (2012–present)

Frasor pitching for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2006.

Jason Andrew Frasor (born August 9, 1977 in Chicago, Illinois) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball. He made his debut with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2004, and he had a 4.08 ERA in 63 games.

Professional career[link]

Toronto Blue Jays[link]

A starter in the low minors from 1999 to 2002, he was converted to a reliever in 2003. The Blue Jays acquired him from the Los Angeles Dodgers prior to the 2004 season in exchange for Jayson Werth. He was sent to the minors on April 28, 2006, and recalled on May 11, 2006. On July 2, 2006, Frasor was demoted again to Triple-A; the Blue Jays recalled Shaun Marcum in his place.

On January 9, 2007, Frasor signed a one-year contract for the 2007 season with the Toronto Blue Jays, avoiding salary arbitration. The contract was worth $825,000 with cumulative incentives based upon games pitched.^[1]

Frasor began 2009 with a 4–0 record through early May, without allowing an earned run. This was one of the best marks in all of Major League baseball, and helped the Blue Jays hold first place in the American League through the 2009 season's first 26 games.

On July 17, 2011 he made his 453rd appearance for the Blue Jays, passing Duane Ward to become the team's all time appearance leader.

Chicago White Sox[link]

On July 27, 2011, he was traded to the Chicago White Sox with Zach Stewart for Mark Teahen and Edwin Jackson.^[2]

Second stint with Toronto Blue Jays[link]

On January 1, 2012, Frasor was traded back to the Toronto Blue Jays for pitching prospects Myles Jaye and Daniel Webb.^[3]

Personal life[link]

Frasor attended Oak Forest High School, located in Oak Forest, Illinois and graduated in 1995 after starring for the Bengals as a starting pitcher, reliever and shortstop. He then played at Southern Illinois University, where he won the Richard “Itch” Jones award as the team MVP in 1997 and 1999.

Frasor is a cousin of former UNC backup Point guard Bobby Frasor.

He married Laura Schmidt in 2008 and has one child, Jackson Frasor, born July 2010.

References[link]

External links[link]

	Biography portal
	Baseball portal

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)

Nelson Cruz
Texas Rangers – No. 17
Right Fielder
Born: (1980-07-01) July 1, 1980 (age 31) Monte Cristi, Dominican Republic
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
MLB debut
September 17, 2005 for the Milwaukee Brewers
Career statistics (through May 23, 2012)
Batting average	.270
Home runs	110
Runs batted in	346
Hits	557
Teams
Milwaukee Brewers (2005) Texas Rangers (2006–present)
Career highlights and awards
All Star (2009) ALCS MVP (2011) MLB postseason record for home runs (6) in a series (2011 ALCS) MLB postseason record for RBIs (13) in a series (2011 ALCS)

Nelson Ramón Cruz Martínez (born July 1, 1980) is a Dominican Major League Baseball outfielder for the Texas Rangers.

Baseball career[link]

New York Mets and Oakland Athletics[link]

Cruz was initially signed as a free agent by the New York Mets, and after three years in the Dominican Summer League, they traded him to Oakland for Jorge Velandia on August 30, 2000. He played in the Oakland Athletics system.

Milwaukee Brewers[link]

The Brewers acquired Cruz from Oakland along with pitcher Justin Lehr in exchange for infielder Keith Ginter on December 16, 2004. Cruz spent the 2005 and 2006 seasons in the Brewers organization with the Double-A Huntsville Stars, Triple-A Nashville Sounds, and briefly in September of 2005, the major league Brewers.

Texas Rangers[link]

Cruz was acquired by the Rangers from the Milwaukee Brewers on July 28, 2006, along with slugging outfielder Carlos Lee in exchange for Laynce Nix, Kevin Mench, Francisco Cordero and minor league pitcher Julian Cordero.

On August 16, 2006, Cruz hit his first grand slam of his career. On September 4, 2006, against the Athletics, Cruz hit an inside-the-park home run in which his bat broke on impact. In spring training for the 2007 season, Cruz got off to a rough start, but finished strong by hitting three home runs in the final week, including a walk-off home run in the final game of spring training.

Cruz failed to make the major league roster prior to the 2008 season and cleared waivers after being designated for assignment because he had exhausted his minor league options. Cruz's contract was purchased from the Triple-A Oklahoma RedHawks by the Rangers on August 25, 2008, after batting .342 with 37 home runs and 99 runs batted in (RBI); for his efforts, he won the 2008 Pacific Coast League MVP award.^{[citation needed]}

In July 2009, Cruz was selected as an All-Star as a replacement for injured Torii Hunter.^[1] He also participated in the 2009 Home Run Derby, finishing second to Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder.

He and teammate Ian Kinsler each hit three home runs in the 2010 AL division series against the Tampa Bay Rays, marking only the second time in Major League history that two teammates each hit three homers in a postseason series of five games or fewer (joining Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, who did it in the 1928 World Series).^[2]

In Game 5 of the 2010 World Series, Cruz hit a home run in a losing cause against the champion San Francisco Giants off Tim Lincecum in the 7th inning. Cruz was also the final out in the same game, striking out against Brian Wilson on a 3-2 cutter.

In 2011, Cruz and Ian Kinsler became the first two teammates in major league history to homer in each of the first three games in a season, joining Dean Palmer (1992) as the only Texas ballplayers to ever homer in the first three games of the season.^[3] Also, in his very next game, Cruz became the third player ever to homer in the first four games of the season, joining Willie Mays and Mark McGwire.^[4]

Cruz became the second hitter to hit a home run into the upper deck in right field as a right-handed batter in the history of Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. The other was hit by former Ranger Chad Curtis, during the 2000 season.

On July 22, he had 8 RBIs in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays; it was Cruz's career high in RBIs.^[5]

In 2011, he batted .263 with 29 home runs.^[6] He led AL right fielders in range factor for the third straight year (2.29).^[6]

On October 10, 2011, Cruz hit a walk-off grand slam in Game Two of the ALCS versus the Detroit Tigers. He became the first player in baseball history to hit a walk-off grand slam in a postseason game.^[7]

On October 12, 2011, Cruz hit a 3 run home run to seal game 4 of the ALCS for the Texas Rangers against the Detroit Tigers. He became the first player to hit multiple extra inning home runs in the same postseason series.^[8] During the 2011 ALCS, Cruz hit 6 home runs and had 13 RBIs, both postseason series records.^[9] His efforts earned him the 2011 ALCS MVP award.^[10]

On October 27, 2011, Cruz hit a solo home run to put the Texas Rangers up 6 to 4 against the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 6 of the 2011 World Series.^[11] The home run allowed Cruz to tie the record for most postseason home runs in a season at 8; he shares the achievement with Carlos Beltran and Barry Bonds. ^[12]

References[link]

External links[link]

	Baseball portal
	Dominican Republic portal

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)

Jeff Mathis
Toronto Blue Jays – No. 6
Catcher
Born: (1983-03-31) March 31, 1983 (age 29) Marianna, Florida
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
MLB debut
August 12, 2005 for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Career statistics (through May 28, 2012)
Batting average	.194
Hits	240
Home runs	28
Runs batted in	144
Teams
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2005–2011) Toronto Blue Jays (2012–present)

Mathis playing for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in 2011.

Jeffrey Stephen Mathis (born March 31, 1983) is an American professional baseball catcher for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball. He made his major league debut on August 12, 2005 for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He bats and throws right-handed.

Minor League career[link]

After playing both football and baseball for Marianna High School (winning four district titles, a regional title and appearing in the state championship game in football in 2000, as well as a 1999 state title in baseball, on a team that featured fellow first-round pick Alan Horne), he became a first round draft selection by the Angels in 2001, Mathis moved up the ranks to Triple-A Salt Lake by 2005. He earned the Angels' minor league Defensive Player of the Year award. Noted for his defensive skills at the catcher spot, he also had a career-best year with the bat, hitting .276 with 21 home runs.

Following the 2005 season, the Angels declined to pursue the return of their free agent starting catcher, Bengie Molina, ensuring Mathis would make the roster for the 2006 season.^[1]

Major League career[link]

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2005–2011)[link]

After a solid 2006 spring training, Mathis was expected to see substantial playing time at catcher, sharing the position with José Molina. However, once the regular season began, he struggled greatly on both defense and offense. With Mathis batting only .108 and the team compiling just a 2–9 record in games that he started, the Angels demoted him back to the minor leagues one month into the season. Mathis was replaced on the Angels roster by catcher Mike Napoli.

In 2008, he batted just .194, below the Mendoza Line.

Mathis's most noteworthy major league moment occurred on October 19, 2009, when his 11th-inning walk-off RBI double in game three of the American League Championship Series defeated the New York Yankees 5–4.

His impressive 2009 playoff offensive statistics became important in his 2010 arbitration hearings. In spite of poor regular season stats (.211 average), he used his strong playoff offensive performance and excellent defensive skill to bolster his case for a raise to $1.3 million, beating the Angels management in arbitration.^[2] The arbitration hearing was also something of a watershed in the amount of consideration paid to Mathis' defensive statistics. The LA Times highlighted the stark comparisons with competing catcher Mike Napoli: "in 657 innings with the agile Mathis behind the plate, Angels pitchers had a 3.99 earned-run average; they had a 4.86 ERA in 758 innings with Napoli catching. Mathis also caught 17 of 69 attempted base-stealers for a 24.6% success rate; Napoli, who will make $3.6 million in 2010 but is coming off two 20-homer seasons, caught 13 of 87 attempted base-stealers for a 14.9% success rate."^[2] Mathis has been among the AL leaders in pitchers' earned run averages while he's been behind the plate.^[3]

In 2010, Mathis was ranked by at least one website as the worst defensive catcher in baseball.^[4] He also matched his career-worst batting average of .194, while posting a sub-.500 OPS in over 200 at bats.

Toronto Blue Jays (2012-)[link]

On December 3, 2011, following the acquisition of Chris Iannetta, he was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays for pitcher Brad Mills.^[5]

9 days later, Mathis signed a contract with the Blue Jays to avoid arbitration. He signed a one-year deal and is guaranteed to earn $1.5 million.^[6] Mathis made his first career pitching appearance in a game against the Texas Rangers on May 25. Pitching in the 8th inning, Mathis gave up a hit and walked a batter, but ended the inning without surrendering a run. He became the sixth position player for the Blue Jays to pitch in a game, and the first since Mike McCoy on June 11, 2011.^[7]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)

Ricky Romero
Romero pitching against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards on 4 June 2011.
Toronto Blue Jays – No. 24
Starting pitcher
Born: (1984-11-06) November 6, 1984 (age 27) East Los Angeles, California
Bats: Right	Throws: Left
MLB debut
April 9, 2009 for the Toronto Blue Jays
Career statistics (through May 10, 2012)
Win-loss record	46-29
Earned run average	3.59
Strikeouts	529
WHIP	1.29
Teams
Toronto Blue Jays (2009-present)
Career highlights and awards
All-Star (2011) AL Player of the Week (August 1–7, 2011) AL Pitcher of the Month (August 2011)

Ricardo "Ricky" Romero, Jr. (born November 6, 1984 in East Los Angeles, California) is an American baseball pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays. Romero stands at 6 foot and weighs 210 pounds. He throws left-handed and bats right-handed.

Prep career[link]

After spending three years at Garfield High School, Romero graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School in East Los Angeles. In his senior year he was named L.A. City Section co-player of the year and Eastern League co-MVP for baseball, going (12-1) with a 0.53 ERA and 162 strikeouts for the Rough Riders.^[1]

College career[link]

Upon graduation, Romero attended Cal State Fullerton from 2001 to 2005. The lefty starter helped the Titans capture a National Title in the 2004 College World Series, pitching the team into the semifinals past Miami (FL) and winning game one of the World Series against Texas. He was also selected to the All-Tournament team for that season and played for the U.S. National Team pitching to a (3-1) record with a 1.57 ERA. In 2005 he led Fullerton in wins (13) and the Titans returned to the World Series.^[2]

Early professional career[link]

Romero was drafted by the Blue Jays as the sixth overall pick (and first pitcher selected) in the 2005 amateur entry draft.^[3] After signing with Toronto in June of that year, with a signing bonus of $2.1 million, Romero made his professional debut for the Auburn Doubledays of the short-season A affiliated New York-Penn League. He was promoted to Class A Dunedin after that appearance. Both 2006 and 2007 were short, injury-riddled seasons for the southpaw, with Romero suffering from shoulder and elbow problems. Finally healthy in 2008, Romero struggled with control problems with a career high 55 walks for Double-A New Hampshire. He received a late year call up to Triple-A Syracuse and earned Player of the Week honors as a member of the Chiefs on September 1.^[4]

Major league career[link]

2009-2010[link]

On March 30, 2009, Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston announced that Romero had earned one of the two open rotation spots for the 2009 MLB season. This came after a strong 7-inning outing against the Houston Astros.^[5][6]

On April 9, Romero made his Major League debut against Detroit, opposite Tigers rookie pitcher Rick Porcello. The game marked the first time in MLB history that two first-round picks faced each other in their respective debuts.^[7] Romero earned the win while surrendering two runs on seven hits over six innings in the Blue Jays' 6-2 victory.^[8] Romero pitched strongly in his next two starts, getting a no-decision against the Minnesota Twins, and defeating the Oakland Athletics. He had a 2-0 record and a 1.71 ERA in his first three starts, but was placed on the 15-day disabled list on April 20 with a strained right oblique muscle after a violent sneeze.^[9] The Jays, surprising many observers by holding first place for the month of April despite many injuries to their key pitchers, hoped he would be ready to return to their lineup by mid-May.^[10] Romero was called up from Triple A Las Vegas 51's along with Casey Janssen, after a successful rehab assignment in the minor leagues to evaluate his progress.^[11] After struggling somewhat upon his return, Romero found an outstanding run of form in late June and early July, defeating the World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies (June 26),^[12] the American League champion Tampa Bay Rays (July 1),^[13] and the perennial powerhouse New York Yankees (July 6)^[14] in three successive starts. On July 6, Romero tied the Blue Jays rookie record for consecutive scoreless innings with 24 against the NY Yankees, before giving up a home run to Eric Hinske in the fifth inning.^[15] Jays' manager Cito Gaston said Romero was by this time considered the team's #2 starter, behind Roy Halladay.

Romero was rumoured to be one of the leading candidates for the 2009 MLB Rookie of the Year award during the first half of the season.Others included Chicago White Sox third baseman Gordon Beckham. Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Rick Porcello, and again Chicago White Sox infielder Jayson Nix.

On April 13, 2010, Romero set a new career high with 12 strikeouts while allowing only two runs on one hit over eight innings in a 4-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox.

On May 15, 2010, Romero pitched his first complete game and shutout while tying a career-high 12 strikeouts in a 6-0 victory over the Texas Rangers.

2011[link]

On June 26, 2011, Romero got his first major league hit, a two RBI single to right field, while pitching a complete game shutout against the St. Louis Cardinals to complete the sweep.^[16] The five runs scored by the Jays were a welcome change for Romero, who had received two or less runs of support in each of his previous eight starts.^[17]

On July 10, 2011, Romero was named as a late reserve to the American League All-Star Team, just two days before the game. He replaced injured Boston Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester, who was replacing Seattle Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez, who, because of starting the last game before the All-Star break, was ineligible to play in the game.^[18]

Romero set personal highs for a single season with his second shutout and fourth complete game on August 18 against the Oakland Athletics.^[19] On September 6, Romero was named the pitcher of the month for August, after posting a record of 5-0 in 6 starts. He led the American League in ERA (2.05) and opponents batted .160 against him, a major league low for the month.^[20]

2012[link]

Romero was the opening day starter for the Blue Jays against Cleveland on April 5.^[21]

On April 11, in the fourth inning of a game against the Boston Red Sox, Romero recorded his 500th career strikeout against outfielder Darnell McDonald. He made his 100th career start on May 8 against the Oakland Athletics. Romero received a no-decision, pitching 6 innings and yielding 2 earned runs on 5 hits, with 7 strikeouts and a season-high 5 walks in a 7-3 loss.

Major league career statistics[link]

Honors[link]

• All-Star (2011)
• AL Player of the Week (August 1–7, 2011)
• AL Pitcher of the Month (August 2011)

Pitching style[link]

Romero throws a 87–92 miles per hour two-seam fastball, a 92–95 miles per hour four-seam fastball, an 82–87 miles per hour changeup, a curveball that ranges from 74–78 miles per hour, and lastly an 84–86 miles per hour slider.^[22]

Personal life[link]

Romero is of Mexican descent,^[23] and has a younger sister. He is currently dating former Miss USA Rima Fakih.^[24]

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Ricky Romero

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• Minor League Baseball Profile
• Ricky Romero on Twitter