Any debate about the best Mexican pitcher in Major League history begins with Fernando Valenzuela.
The southpaw’s numbers speak for themselves: Valenzuela is the leader among his country’s pitchers, and by far, in wins, strikeouts, innings pitched, complete games, shutouts and pitchers’ WAR (Baseball-Reference version). He is the only Mexican to win any of the top awards from the Baseball Writers Association of North America (BBWAA), being Rookie of the Year and taking the Cy Young Award in the National League in 1981, the year of “Fernandomania.”
1) Valenzuela
After coming to the Dodgers from Leones de Yucatán, on the recommendation of legendary Los Angeles scout, Cuban Mike Brito, Valenzuela wowed the baseball world in 1981, when he won his first eight decisions as a rookie, with five shutouts. One of his main weapons was a “corkscrew” (screwball), pitching that Bobby Castillo taught him in the minor league.
Valenzuela finished that strike-shortened first season with a 13-7 record in 25 starts. He led in strikeouts with 180 and shutouts with eight. His impact that year went beyond the numbers, since the Sonoran was the great favorite of the Dodgers fans.
“I think there is no player that I can remember who has energized the community as much as Fernando, and not just the Latino community,” said the Ecuadorian Jaime Jarrín, an announcer of the Hall of Fame and who as a radio narrator of the Dodgers in Spanish, he was in the midst of “Fernandomanía” even as Fernando’s interpreter. “It was an extraordinary phenomenon that spread throughout the country. At first it was solely here in Los Angeles. Fernando spread a revival of interest in baseball not just in Southern California, but across the nation. “
That October, the Dodgers defeated the Astros in the Division Series, the Montreal Expos in the National League Championship Series and the Yankees in the World Series to become champions. Valenzuela provided three key performances in that period.
In Game 4 of the SDLN with the Dodgers on the brink of elimination, Valenzuela threw a one-run complete game to defeat Houston. In the decisive Game 5 of the SCLN, the left-hander allowed a single round in 8.2 innings, setting the stage for Rick Monday, who would homered in the ninth inning to send Los Angeles to the World Series.
In the Fall Classic, Valenzuela started Game 3 in Los Angeles with the Dodgers trailing 0-2 in the series. After three shaky innings in which he allowed four runs, the southpaw knocked New York out the rest of the way, heading for a complete game. The Dodgers would lose no more, winning the series in six games.
“He was never nervous,” Brito said. «I never saw him nervous. That was what impressed me the most. I said to myself, ‘that boy has ice in his blood.’
In a 17-year career with the Dodgers and five other clubs, Valenzuela was 173-153 with a 3.54 ERA in 453 games (424 starts). He was called up to six All-Star Games in a row from 1981 to 1986. He is the only Mexican pitcher with more than 2,000 strikeouts (2,074) in the majors and his 113 complete games are by far the most among his compatriots, in addition to his WAR. of 37.36.
“It was a great honor to represent my country,” said Valenzuela. “If that helped there to be more people, more pitchers, Mexican players, I’m happy.”
2) Teodoro «Teddy» Higuera
Higuera, signed by the Brewers in 1983, was one of the most consistent starters in the American League between 1985 and 1988. During that span, the left-hander was 69-38 with an ERA of 3.25 and EFE + of 132. In 1986, he and Valenzuela became the first Mexican major leaguers to win 20 major league games. Higuera was 20-11, was called up to his first All-Star Game and finished second in the voting for the Cy Young Award.
Injuries began to take their toll in 1989, and from then on, Higuera would start 25 or more games in a single season. In a nine-year Major League career, all with the Brewers, Higuera had a 94-64 record, 3.61 ERA, 117 EFE + and 30.34 WAR.
3) Joakim Soria
Among Mexican relievers, Soria has forged the most accomplished career yet. He leads his compatriots in saves with 223, the fourth-most among active major league relievers overall.
Less than a year after pitching a perfect game for the Yaquis de Obregón in the Pacific League in 2006-07, Soria – chosen in the Rule 5 Draft by the Royals from the Padres that winter – began 2007 by leaving. 13-13 in save chances and establishing himself as the club’s closer.
With stays as a coach and as a closer in seven different teams, Soria – currently wearing the Atléticos uniform – has appeared in the most games among his compatriots, 730. The Monclova native has a lifetime ERA of 3.02, EFE + of 141, FIP 3.06, 9.8 strikeouts for every nine innings, 3.6 strikeouts for every two walks in the All-Star Game.
4) Yovani Gallardo
From 2009 to 2015, Gallardo compiled a 93-70 record between the Brewers and Rangers, surpassing 200 strikeouts in four straight seasons and playing a key role in winning the NL Central title in 2011 for part. from Milwaukee.
Among the Mexican pitchers, Gallardo is second in strikeouts with 1,584, behind only Valenzuela. He’s third in wins with 121 and games started with 307, plus fourth in innings pitched with 1,816.2.
Gallardo’s 19.06 WAR places him fifth among his compatriots, behind Valenzuela, Higuera, Ismael Valdez and Esteban Loaiza.
5) Ismael Valdez
Signed by Brito to the Dodgers, Valdez is third, behind Valenzuela and Higuera, with WAR of 24.54. His 104 wins put him in a tie with Jorge de la Rosa for fourth place all-time among those born in Mexico. From 1995 to 1998, Valdez reached double figures in wins each season, with a 3.23 ERA and a 120 ERA + in that span.
Honorific mention:
Loaiza: He is second among his compatriots in victories with 126, behind Valenzuela. He (2,099) and Valenzuela are the only ones in their country with more than 2,000 innings pitched. He is fourth in WAR at 22.94. His 21-win campaign in 2003 places him with Valenzuela and Higuera as the only Mexican pitchers to win 20 games or more in one season.
De la Rosa: Tied with Valdez for fourth place in victories among Mexicans (104). In a 15-year career, he finished with 1,273 strikeouts in 1,522.2 innings.
Oliver Perez: Longevity is Perez’s calling card, with an impressive second half of his career after becoming a reliever in 2012 after failing to pitch the year before. Second in games pitched among Mexican pitchers with 688, Pérez has compiled ERA of 3.45 and 10.8 strikeouts per nine innings since becoming a full-time reliever. Right now, the southpaw has a 1.72 ERA in 18 2020 appearances with the Indians, his eighth team in an 18-year career. (GG) (Taken MLB.COM)