Carlos Silva

Carlos Silva (born April 23, 1979 in Bolívar, Venezuela) is a retired Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher.

Professional career

Philadelphia Phillies

Silva signed with the Philadelphia Phillies as an amateur free agent in 1996. He made his Major League debut in 2002.

Minnesota Twins

In December 2003, the Twins acquired Silva from Philadelphia along with Nick Punto and Bobby Korecky in exchange for Eric Milton, who had been a staple of the Minnesota rotation since 1998. In May 2006, Silva was demoted to the bullpen after struggling through the beginning of the season. In June, he re-entered the rotation when the struggling # 5 starter, Scott Baker, was demoted to the Twins' Triple-A team in Rochester.

With the Twins, Silva made a successful conversion from reliever to starter, in one of the biggest surprises in the 2004 season. He posted a 14–8 mark in 203 innings pitched and finished second in the rotation behind Cy Young winner Johan Santana. In 2005 he induced more double plays (34) than any other pitcher in the majors. In 2005, he set the record for fewest walks allowed per 9 innings in the modern era with an average of .43 BB/9 innings. On May 20, 2005, Silva set a record since 1957 for the fewest pitches thrown (74) in a nine-inning complete game.

In 2006, he gave up a major-league-worst 1.90 home runs per 9 innings, giving up 38—more than any other major league pitcher, and had a major-league-worst batting average against of .326.

Through 2006, Silva posted a 42–32 record with 306 strikeouts and a 4.35 ERA in 743 innings. In 2007, Silva started as the fifth starter behind Johan Santana, Boof Bonser, Ramon Ortiz, and Sidney Ponson. In his first start of 2007, against the Chicago White Sox, he gave up 5 hits in five-innings and one earned run. His son Justin Emmanuel was born on June 12, 2007, just an hour after his former teammate Juan Rincón's son was born.

Silva allowed Frank Thomas's 500th career home run on June 28, 2007 at the Metrodome.

Seattle Mariners

On December 20, 2007, he signed a four-year contract with the Seattle Mariners believed to be somewhere between $44 million and $48 million.

Fresh off the WBC, Silva started the 2009 season slower than expected, with very little control over his pitches, and a high ERA. He sat out most of the season with a shoulder injury. Silva returned at near the end of the season for 2 appearances in relief, giving up one run in 0.2 innnings to the Yankees on September 19 and one run on September 25 in Toronto in one inning.

Chicago Cubs

On December 18, 2009 Silva was traded along with $9 million to the Chicago Cubs for outfielder Milton Bradley. Silva appeared to have turned his career around early in 2010, becoming the first Cubs starter since 1967 to begin a season with an 8–0 record. However, his success was very limited for the remainder of the season, and he was cut from the Cubs towards the end of spring training in 2011.

New York Yankees

On April 9, 2011, the New York Yankees signed Silva to a minor league deal. He was released on July 2.

Boston Red Sox

On January 3, 2012, Silva agreed to a minor league deal with the Red Sox.

Pitching style

Silva throws a low 90s sinking fastball, a slider, a changeup, and a splitter. He is known for his relatively quick pace, as he takes very short breaks between pitches. A ground ball pitcher, Silva usually has good command of his pitches, and walks very few batters.

Personal life

Silva resides in Medina, Minnesota, with his wife Maria Hermann, son Justin, born June 12, 2007, and daughter Gabriella, born September 8, 2008.

External links

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube