Ernesto Frieri Stats & Scouting Report

IP	303.0
ERA	3.59
WHIP	1.238
BB/9	4.2
SO/9	11.5

Full name Ernesto Frieri
Born 07/19/1985 in Bolivar, Colombia
Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 205 / Bats: R / Throws: R
Debut 09/26/2009

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

The Padres had employed Frieri in a swingman role prior to 2008, but he held up well making a career-high 21 starts last year. San Diego added him to the 40-man roster after the 2007 season, along with another hard thrower in Wilton Lopez. The duo began the year together in high Class A, but Frieri separated himself with better command and results. He features easy 92-94 mph velocity from a high three-quarters arm slot, and he looks like he's playing catch, so the ball gets on batters quickly. He throws a quality changeup. Though Frieri has one of the better curveballs in the organization--it's a hard downer--he struggled in 2008 to get the same peak velocity on the pitch that he had in the past. Continuing to break his hands over the rubber will be key for Frieri's command as he moves up. The Padres like his aptitude and makeup, and he'll probably begin 2009 back in the San Antonio rotation, though his future role may be in the bullpen.
The Padres are one of the few teams to scout extensively in Colombia, and they've discovered a few high-ceiling pitchers in Frieri and Fabian Jimenez. Frieri's U.S. debut in 2005 was an eye-opener, as he led the Arizona League in wins and ERA. His fastball has no more than average velocity, but he features two quality breaking balls: a hard, cutting slider and a big, looping curve. Both generated plenty of swings and misses in the AZL. Frieri's penchant for breaking balls has led to a number of nagging hand problems, including an ingrown nail early in the year and a blister problem in instructional league. His command is spotty, and most of his strikeouts came when inexperienced hitters chased pitches out of the zone. He can get away with that now, but Frieri will need to hone his command and learn to throw more quality strikes. San Diego used Frieri in a swingman role to limit his innings and might continue that practice if he jumps to low Class A to start 2006. The other option is to work with him in extended spring training before putting him in the rotation at Eugene.

Minor League Top Prospects

Frieri, a 20-year-old from Colombia, was used in a swing role by the Padres and led the league with seven wins and a 1.17 ERA, limiting opponents to a .137 average and no homers. He was especially tough in relief, going 6-0, 0.65 in 12 appearances. Frieri got most of his 59 strikeouts in 46 innings on an 85-87 mph slider. He also has a plus fastball, a resilient arm and plenty of competive fire. While he has command issues, he was so dominant in his first stint in the United States that he earned a late-season promotion to the high Class A California League.

Best Tools List

Rated Best Reliever in the Pacific Coast League in 2010
Rated Best Curveball in the San Diego Padres in 2009

Career Transactions

Yaquis de Obregon reassigned RHP Ernesto Frieri to the minor leagues.
RHP Ernesto Frieri assigned to Yaquis de Obregon.
Yaquis de Obregon placed RHP Ernesto Frieri on the reserve list.
RHP Ernesto Frieri assigned to Yaquis de Obregon.
Acereros del Norte released RHP Ernesto Frieri.
Acereros del Norte signed free agent RHP Ernesto Frieri.
Colorado Springs Sky Sox released RHP Ernesto Frieri.
Milwaukee Brewers signed free agent RHP Ernesto Frieri to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
RHP Ernesto Frieri assigned to Colorado Springs Sky Sox.
Charros de Jalisco placed RHP Ernesto Frieri on the reserve list.
RHP Ernesto Frieri assigned to Charros de Jalisco.
RHP Ernesto Frieri elected free agency.
RHP Ernesto Frieri assigned to Tacoma Rainiers from Seattle Mariners.
Texas Rangers traded RHP Ernesto Frieri to Seattle Mariners for cash.
Round Rock Express activated RHP Ernesto Frieri from the 7-day disabled list.
Round Rock Express placed RHP Ernesto Frieri on the 7-day disabled list retroactive to July 15, 2017.
Texas Rangers designated Ernesto Frieri for assignment.
Texas Rangers sent RHP Ernesto Frieri outright to Round Rock Express.
Texas Rangers selected the contract of RHP Ernesto Frieri from Round Rock Express.
Texas Rangers activated RHP Ernesto Frieri.
RHP Ernesto Frieri assigned to Round Rock Express.
Texas Rangers signed free agent RHP Ernesto Frieri to a minor league contract.
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders released RHP Ernesto Frieri.
RHP Ernesto Frieri assigned to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.
New York Yankees signed free agent RHP Ernesto Frieri to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
RHP Ernesto Frieri assigned to Aguilas del Zulia.
Lehigh Valley IronPigs released RHP Ernesto Frieri.
Lehigh Valley IronPigs activated RHP Ernesto Frieri.
RHP Ernesto Frieri assigned to Lehigh Valley IronPigs.
Philadelphia Phillies signed free agent RHP Ernesto Frieri to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
RHP Ernesto Frieri assigned to Gigantes del Cibao.
RHP Ernesto Frieri elected free agency.
Durham Bulls activated RHP Ernesto Frieri from the 7-day disabled list.
Durham Bulls sent RHP Ernesto Frieri on a rehab assignment to GCL Rays.
Durham Bulls placed RHP Ernesto Frieri on the 7-day disabled list retroactive to July 8, 2015.
Durham Bulls activated RHP Ernesto Frieri from the 7-day disabled list.
Durham Bulls placed RHP Ernesto Frieri on the 7-day disabled list retroactive to June 10, 2015.
Durham Bulls activated RHP Ernesto Frieri.
Tampa Bay Rays sent RHP Ernesto Frieri outright to Durham Bulls.
Tampa Bay Rays designated RHP Ernesto Frieri for assignment.
Tampa Bay Rays signed free agent RHP Ernesto Frieri.
Indianapolis Indians released RHP Ernesto Frieri.
Pittsburgh Pirates sent RHP Ernesto Frieri outright to Indianapolis Indians.
Pittsburgh Pirates designated RHP Ernesto Frieri for assignment.
Los Angeles Angels traded RHP Ernesto Frieri to Pittsburgh Pirates for RHP Jason Grilli.
Los Angeles Angels activated RHP Ernesto Frieri.
San Diego Padres traded RHP Ernesto Frieri to Los Angeles Angels for 2B Alexi Amarista and RHP Donn Roach.
RHP Ernesto Frieri assigned to Navegantes del Magallanes.
Ernesto Frieri roster status changed by San Diego Padres.
sent RHP Ernesto Frieri on a rehab assignment to Tucson Padres.
San Diego Padres placed RHP Ernesto Frieri on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to August 6, 2011. Back problem.
San Diego Padres activated RHP Ernesto Frieri from the paternity list.
San Diego Padres recalled RHP Ernesto Frieri from Portland Beavers.
San Diego Padres optioned Ernesto Frieri to Portland Beavers.
San Diego Padres recalled Ernesto Frieri from San Antonio Missions.