Odrisamer Despaigne

Odrisamer Despaigne
Despaigne pitching for the Baltimore Orioles in 2016
Caliente de Durango
Pitcher
Born: (1987-04-04) 4 April 1987
Havana, Cuba
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Professional debut
MLB: 23 June, 2014, for the San Diego Padres
KBO: 5 May, 2020, for the KT Wiz
MLB statistics
(through 2019 season)
Win–loss record13–26
Earned run average5.11
Strikeouts224
KBO statistics
(through 2022 season)
Win–loss record36–30
Earned run average4.07
Strikeouts440
Stats at Baseball Reference 
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Odrisamer Despaigne Orue (/ˈdrsəmɪər ˈdɛspɑːnj/ OH-dree-sə-meer DES-pahn-yay;[1] born 4 April 1987) is a Cuban professional baseball pitcher for the Caliente de Durango of the Mexican League. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Diego Padres, Baltimore Orioles, Miami Marlins, Los Angeles Angels, and Chicago White Sox. He has also played in the KBO League for the KT Wiz, with whom he won the Korean Series in 2021.

Career

Cuban career

Despaigne played for the Industriales of the Cuban National Series, making his debut in the league in 2007. He played for the Cuban national baseball team, and defected from Cuba while in Europe for the 2013 World Port Tournament.[2] Despaigne became a legal resident of Spain, and traveled to Mexico.[3]

San Diego Padres

Despaigne and fellow Cuban defector Aledmys Díaz held a showcase for Major League Baseball teams on 13 February 2014.[4] Despaigne signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres on 2 May.[5] The Padres assigned Despaigne to the San Antonio Missions of the Double-A Texas League, where in two games started, he allowed one earned run in 7+23 innings pitched. The Padres promoted Despaigne to the El Paso Chihuahuas of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League on 26 May.[6] Despaigne was called up by the Padres on 23 June to start that night against the San Francisco Giants.[7] Despaigne pitched seven shutout innings, allowing four hits in his major league debut.[8] In his fifth major league start on 20 July, Despaigne pitched 7+23 no-hit innings before the New York Mets' Daniel Murphy doubled. The Padres won the game 2–1.[9]

Baltimore Orioles

On 4 February 2016, Despaigne was traded to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for minor league pitcher Jean Cosme.[10] He made 16 appearances for Baltimore, registering an 0-2 record and 5.60 ERA with 17 strikeouts across 27+13 innings pitched. Despaigne was designated for assignment by the Orioles on 5 September.[11]

Miami Marlins

The Miami Marlins claimed Despaigne off waivers on 15 September 2016.[12][13] He made three appearances down the stretch for the Marlins, recording a 9.00 ERA with no strikeouts over three innings of work.

Despaigne started a game for Miami against the New York Mets on 6 May 2017, allowing eight runs (three earned) in an 11–3 loss, and on 17 May returned as a relief pitcher, giving up two runs and four walks in one inning pitched. Despaigne was optioned to the Triple-A New Orleans Baby Cakes and was recalled on 28 July.[14] He made 18 appearances (eight starts) for Miami, compiling a 2-3 record and 4.01 ERA with 31 strikeouts and one save across 58+13 innings pitched.

Despaigne made 11 appearances (one start) for the Marlins in 2018, accumulating a 2-0 record and 5.31 ERA with 18 strikeouts over 20+13 innings of work.

Los Angeles Angels

On 14 August 2018, the Marlins traded Despaigne to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for cash considerations.[15] He made his first start with the Angels on 17 August against the Texas Rangers. In eight appearances (four starts) for Los Angeles, Despaigne struggled to an 0-3 record and 8.20 ERA with 17 strikeouts across 18+23 innings pitched. He elected free agency on 5 November.

Cincinnati Reds

On 7 January 2019, Despaigne signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds. In eight starts for the Triple-A Louisville Bats, he posted a 3-2 record and 3.92 ERA with 40 strikeouts across 41+13 innings pitched. Despaigne opted out of his contract on 16 May.[16]

Chicago White Sox

On 19 May 2019, Despaigne signed a minor league deal with the Chicago White Sox.[17] He made his first start with the team on 10 June against the Washington Nationals.[18] He finished 0–2 in 3 starts for the team. He elected free agency following the 2019 season.

KT Wiz

On 10 November 2019, Despaigne signed a one-year, $900,000 contract with the KT Wiz of the KBO League.[19] On 16 December 2020, Despaigne re-signed with the Wiz for the 2021 season on a one-year, $800K contract.[20] He posted a 13–10 record with a team-leading 3.39 ERA and 165 strikeouts over 33 starts. On 30 December 2021, Despaigne re-signed with the Wiz for the 2022 season on a one-year contract worth up to $1.35 million.[21] He became a free agent after the 2022 season.

Mariachis de Guadalajara

On 24 February 2023, Despaigne signed with the Mariachis de Guadalajara of the Mexican League for the 2023 season.[22] In 18 starts for Guadalajara, he compiled a 5–6 record and 5.22 ERA with 81 strikeouts across 98+13 innings pitched.

Leones de Yucatán

On 1 December 2023, Despaigne's rights were traded to the Leones de Yucatán in exchange for Anthony García.[23] He made 18 starts for Yucatán in 2024, posting a 3–7 record and 4.74 ERA with 78 strikeouts across 98+23 innings pitched.

Despaigne made 16 appearances (13 starts) for the Leones in 2025, but struggled to a 3-6 record and 9.16 ERA with 40 strikeouts over 56 innings of work.

Caliente de Durango

On November 14, 2025, Despaigne and Webster Rivas were traded to the Caliente de Durango in exchange for Geraldi Díaz.[24]

See also

References

  1. ^ Meoli, Jon (4 February 2016). "Orioles acquire right-hander Odrisamer Despaigne from Padres for minor league pitcher". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
  2. ^ "Report: Cuban pitcher Despaigne defects". ESPN.com. Associated Press. 2 July 2013. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
  3. ^ "Padres nearing deal with Despaigne". UTSanDiego.com. 2 April 2014. Retrieved 22 April 2014.
  4. ^ Jarosh, Noah (12 February 2014). "Cubans Aledmys Diaz and Odrisamer Despaigne will hold showcase Thursday". SBNation.com. Retrieved 22 April 2014.
  5. ^ Brock, Corey (2 May 2014). "Cuban righty Despaigne signs with Padres". MLB.com. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  6. ^ Brock, Corey (26 May 2014). "Cuban pitcher Despaigne promoted to Triple-A". MLB.com. Archived from the original on 27 May 2014. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  7. ^ "Padres put RHP Cashner on DL, add RHP Despaigne". ESPN.com. Associated Press. 23 June 2014. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  8. ^ "Despaigne leads Padres past Giants 6–0". ESPN.com. Associated Press. 23 June 2014. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  9. ^ "Padres top Mets 2–1 after Despaigne 0-hit bid ends". ESPN.com. Associated Press. 20 July 2014. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
  10. ^ Singer, Tom (4 February 2016). "Orioles get Despaigne from Padres for Minor Leaguer". MLB.com. Archived from the original on 5 February 2016. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
  11. ^ Encina, Eduardo A. (5 September 2016). "Orioles notebook: Duensing returns, Despaigne designated, Kim bats ninth". Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on 27 November 2017. Retrieved 7 February 2017.
  12. ^ "Miami Marlins – PlayerWatch". Reuters. 16 September 2016. Retrieved 7 February 2017.
  13. ^ Healey, Tim (16 September 2016). "Marlins claim Odrisamer Despaigne from Baltimore, DFA Robert Andino". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved 7 February 2017.
  14. ^ Kolodziej, Alex (28 July 2017). "NEWS Marlins recall Odrisamer Despaigne from Triple-A". Fanrag Sports Network. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  15. ^ Guardado, Maria (15 August 2018). "Angels acquire Despaigne from Marlins". MLB.COM. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  16. ^ Polishuk, Mark (16 May 2019). "Odrisamer Despaigne Opts Out Of Reds Contract". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
  17. ^ Byrne, Connor (19 May 2019). "White Sox Sign Odrisamer Despaigne". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
  18. ^ Thompson, Phil (10 June 2019). "White Sox call up Odrisamer Despaigne to start against the Nationals and release Nicky Delmonico". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
  19. ^ Chase, Dylan (10 November 2019). "Odrisamer Despaigne Signs With KBO's KT Wiz". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  20. ^ Polishuk, Mark (16 December 2020). "International Transactions: 12/16/20". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  21. ^ "Korean Series champs KT Wiz retain starters Despaigne, Cuevas". Yonhap News Agency. 30 December 2021. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  22. ^ "LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva – 24 de febrero de 2023". Minor League Baseball (in Spanish). 24 February 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  23. ^ "LMB: Movimientos en listas de reservas – 30 de noviembre de 2023". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  24. ^ "LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 14 de noviembre de 2025". lmb.com.mx (in Spanish). Retrieved 5 January 2026.