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David Pauley

David Wayne Pauley (born June 17, 1983) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. Pauley pitched for five Major League Baseball (MLB) teams from 2006 to 2012. He batted and threw right-handed.

David Pauley

Career[edit]

Early life[edit]

Pauley is a graduate of Longmont High School in Longmont, Colorado.

San Diego Padres[edit]

An eighth round pick by San Diego in 2001, Pauley posted a 7–12 record with a 4.17 ERA for the Padres' A-class affiliate, the Lake Elsinore Storm, as their seventh best prospect in 2004.

Boston Red Sox[edit]

On December 20, 2004, the Padres traded Pauley along with Jay Payton, Ramón Vázquez, and cash to the Boston Red Sox for Dave Roberts.[1]


As a member of the Portland Sea Dogs rotation in 2005, he went 9–7 with 104 strikeouts and a 3.81 ERA in 156 innings pitched.


Pauley started 2006 in Portland. He posted a 2–3 record with a 2.39 ERA in 10 starts for the Sea Dogs before making his major league debut on May 31, starting for Boston in place of the injured David Wells. Pauley pitched 4.2 innings while allowing six runs on 11 hits in and 8-6 victory against the Toronto Blue Jays. He did not record a decision in the game.[2] In his 16 innings pitched for the Red Sox, Pauley recorded a 7.88 ERA.


In 2007, Pauley was rated by Baseball America as the number 26 prospect in the Red Sox farm system.[3] Pauley spent the entire 2007 season playing for the Pawtucket Red Sox. The Red Sox invited him to spring training in 2008, but sent him back to the minors on March 8, 2008.[4] In January 2009, Pauley was designated for assignment in order to make room for the newly signed John Smoltz.[5]

Baltimore Orioles[edit]

On January 19, 2009, Pauley was traded to the Baltimore Orioles for pitcher Randor Bierd.[6]

Seattle Mariners[edit]

On December 22, 2009, Pauley signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners.[7] On August 13, 2010, he earned his first major league win, versus the Cleveland Indians.[8]

Detroit Tigers[edit]

On July 30, 2011, Pauley was traded to the Detroit Tigers along with Doug Fister for Charlie Furbush, Casper Wells, Chance Ruffin and minor leaguer Francisco Martinez.[9] Pauley was released by the Detroit Tigers on March 12, 2012[10] and became a free agent after clearing waivers on March 15.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim[edit]

The Angels signed Pauley to a minor league contract on March 23, 2012.[11] He was called up to the majors on May 7, 2012, but was designated for assignment on May 24.[12] Pauley cleared waivers and was then recalled to the Angels on June 12, 2012. He was designated for assignment a second time on June 18.[13]

Pitching style[edit]

Pauley is a sinkerball pitcher,[20] and as such his success relies on his ability to keep the ball down in the strike zone, and when contact is made, to get ground-ball outs. Pauley also has the standard fastball, curveball, and changeup in his repertoire. His fastball hits the high 80 MPH range and his curveball has more of a sweeping motion than the standard 12-to-6 movement seen from most minor-league pitchers.

Career statistics and player information from , or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)

MLB