MLB free agent Odrisamer Despaigne’s odyssey
By Yusseff Diaz
Odrisamer Despaigne is an MLB free agent pitcher whose journey in baseball has had its ups and downs. Here’s what he told us about his experience in the game.
HIALEAH,FL– MLB free agent pitcher Odrisamer Despaigne has had a productive yet interesting career in the Majors. The right-hander signed with the San Diego Padres in 2014 after defecting from the Cuban National Team in the 2013 World Port Tournament.
The native of Havana signed a minor league deal with the team May 2 of that year and made his major league debut June 23 hurling 7 shutout innings against the San Francisco Giants.
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In his fifth major league start, he pitched 7.2 no-hit innings in a game in which the Padres won 2-1. That season with San Diego he finished 4-7 with a 3.36 earned run average.
Coming to Miami
In 2016 he was traded to Baltimore and never really given a role with the ball club and he struggled. The righty pitched in 16 games mostly as a reliever and in September of that year, he was designated for assignment.
The Miami Marlins claimed the versatile Despaigne on September 15 and he pitched very effectively for the fish. With Miami, he was a jack of all trades. He started, was middle relief and even saved a game that year.
“Miami was an incredible place to pitch. I enjoyed every moment of the being able to pitch in front the South Florida fans ,it was almost like pitching in Havana’s Latinoamericano stadium. I love Miami and the Marlins, when I retire I’m going bring children to watch the ball club.”
Although he pitched very well for the Marlins in 2018 he was traded to the Los Angeles Angels and had a record of 0-3 to close out the season.