MLB free agent Odrisamer Despaigne’s odyssey
By Yusseff Diaz
MLB free agent Odrisamer Despaigne’s odyssey
The Cincinnati experience
After the 2018 season, Despaigne elected to test the waters in free agency and was only able to ink a minor league deal with the Cincinnati Reds.
Though he pitched well with Louisville (AAA) he never got a call up from the Reds and decided to opt-out of his contract. “I had an opt-out clause in my contract with Cincinnati and I was pitching well,” said the MLB free agent pitcher, “I noticed that I wasn’t going to get a call up so I decided to exercise the opt-out.”
On May 16 of 2019 he opted out of his contract with Cincinnati.
Welcome to the Windy City
After opting out with the Reds he was immediately signed by within days by the Chicago White Sox. About this, he said, “I had various offers, in fact, I had at least seven teams interested in me. I picked Chicago because of the big Cuban influence on the ball club and because aside from Miami it’s my favorite city in the US.”
Despaigne pitched well in the minors for the Sox and was called up June 10 but had a few rough outings. He once again opted for free agency after the season.
Opting for the Orient
During the off-season, the crafty righty signed a 1 year, $900,000 contract with the KT Wiz and this might be lining up to be his best season as a pro.
“In Korea, I think I can dominate,” said Despaigne, “it’s an offensive laden league but I think with my repertoire I can be effective. I’ve prepared very well this offseason to stay healthy and be the leader of the Wiz’s pitching staff.”
A motivated Despaigne could be dominant in Korea and find his way back to the Majors as others before him have done.
His repertoire and different angles of release should befuddle hitters in Korea and possibly get scouts looking at him once again.