Jake Diekman

BIOGRAPHY

Jake Diekman was born January 21, 1987, in Wymore, Nebraska. He is a pitcher in the MLB.

With the Phillies, Diekman began as a starting pitcher and progressed through a few levels of the Phillies' farm system in his first two years in that role, before adjusting his mechanics and lowering his arm slot to throw sidearm out of the bullpen, as a relief pitcher. The adjustment worked and helped him move through the remaining levels of the Phillies' farm system. In 2012, Diekman made his major league debut. Over the next two seasons, he split time between the major league Phillies and their Triple-A (AAA) affiliate, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, though while he was with the major league team, he was considered one of the "lone bright spots" in both 2012 and 2013. Diekman throws a fastball in the upper-90s (mph), a slider, and an occasional changeup; his fastball is among the fastest of any left-handed reliever in the major leagues.

A lefty specialist, Diekman throws a fastball in the mid-90s, a slider at 78–81, and an occasional changeup to right-handed hitters. His fastball is among the fastest of left-handed relievers in the major leagues. Like most left-handed pitchers, particularly those who throw out of an arm angle similar to Diekman's, he is tough on left-handed hitters. In 2013, he held lefties to just a .368 OPS, though allowed a .765 OPS to right-handed hitters. He emerged in 2014 as a favorite middle reliever for manager Ryne Sandberg against both righties and lefties.

On March 16, 2022, Diekman signed a two-year contract with a club option for 2024 with the Boston Red Sox. In 44 relief appearances through the end of July, he compiled a 5–1 record and a 4.23 ERA while striking out 51 batters in 38+1⁄3 innings.

On August 1, 2022, Diekman was traded to the Chicago White Sox for catcher Reese McGuire and Taylor Broadway. In 26 relief appearances through the end of the season, Diekman compiled an 0–3 record with a 6.52 ERA while striking out 28 batters in 19+1⁄3 innings.