Odrisamer Despaigne

Odrisamer Despaigne
Despaigne pitching for the Baltimore Orioles in 2016
Leones de Yucatán
Pitcher
Born: April 4, 1987
Havana, Cuba
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Professional debut
MLB: June 23, 2014, for the San Diego Padres
KBO: May 5, 2020, for the KT Wiz
MLB statistics
(through 2019 season)
Win–loss record 13–26
Earned run average 5.11
Strikeouts 224
KBO statistics
(through 2022 season)
Win–loss record 36-30
Earned run average 4.07
Strikeouts 440
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Odrisamer Despaigne Orue ( OH-dree-sə-meer DES-pahn-yay; born April 4, 1987) is a Cuban professional baseball pitcher for the Leones de Yucatán of the Mexican League. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Diego Padres, Baltimore Orioles, Miami Marlins, Los Angeles Angels, and Chicago White Sox.

Career

Cuban career

Despaigne played for the Industriales of the Cuban National Series, making his debut in the league in 2007. He played for the Cuban national baseball team, and defected from Cuba while in Europe for the 2013 World Port Tournament. Despaigne became a legal resident of Spain, and traveled to Mexico.

San Diego Padres

Despaigne pitching for the San Diego Padres in 2015

Despaigne and fellow Cuban defector Aledmys Díaz held a showcase for Major League Baseball teams on February 13, 2014. Despaigne signed a minor league deal with the San Diego Padres on May 2, 2014. The Padres assigned Despaigne to the San Antonio Missions of the Double-A Texas League, where in two games started, he allowed one earned run in 7+23 innings pitched. The Padres promoted Despaigne to the El Paso Chihuahuas of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League on May 26. Despaigne was called up by the Padres on June 23 to start that night against the San Francisco Giants. Despaigne pitched seven shutout innings, allowing four hits in his major league debut. In his fifth major league start on July 20, Despaigne pitched 7 2/3 no-hit innings before the New York Mets' Daniel Murphy doubled. The Padres won the game 2–1.

Baltimore Orioles

On February 4, 2016, Despaigne was traded to the Baltimore Orioles for minor league pitcher Jean Cosme. The Orioles designated Despaigne for assignment on September 5, 2016.

Miami Marlins

The Miami Marlins claimed Despaigne off waivers on September 15, 2016. He started a game for Miami against the New York Mets on May 6, 2017, allowing eight runs (three earned) in an 11–3 loss, and on May 17 returned as a relief pitcher, giving up two runs and four walks in one inning pitched. He was sent back to the Triple-A New Orleans Baby Cakes and was recalled on July 28, 2017.

Los Angeles Angels

On August 14, 2018, the Marlins traded Despaigne to the Los Angeles Angels for cash considerations. He made his first start with the Angels on August 17 against the Texas Rangers. He elected free agency on November 5, 2018.

Cincinnati Reds

On January 7, 2019, Despaigne signed a minor league deal with the Cincinnati Reds. He opted out of his contract on May 16.

Chicago White Sox

On May 19, 2019, Despaigne signed a minor league deal with the Chicago White Sox. He made his first start with the team on June 10 against the Washington Nationals. He finished 0–2 in 3 starts for the team. He elected free agency following the 2019 season.

KT Wiz

On November 10, 2019, Despaigne signed a one-year, $900,000 deal with the KT Wiz of the KBO League. On December 16, 2020, Despaigne re-signed with the Wiz for the 2021 season on a one-year, $800K contract. He posted a 13–10 record with a team-leading 3.39 ERA and 165 strikeouts over 33 starts. On December 30, 2021, Despaigne re-signed with the Wiz for the 2022 season on a one-year contract worth up to $1.35 million. He became a free agent after the 2022 season.

Mariachis de Guadalajara

On February 24, 2023, Despaigne signed with the Mariachis de Guadalajara of the Mexican League for the 2023 season.

Leones de Yucatán

On December 1, 2023, Despaigne's rights were traded to the Leones de Yucatán in exchange for Anthony García.

See also