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48. Antonio Alfonseca

  1. General
  2. Awards
  3. Career Stats
  • Born: April 16, 1972 in La Romana, La D.R.
  • Weight: 250 lbs.
  • Height: 6'5"
  • Bats: R
  • Throws: R
  • Debut: June 17, 1997
  • Final Game: September 23, 2007
 
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The Marlins plucked Antonio Alfonseca, a right-handed prospect plucked from the Montreal Expos organization in the minor league phase of the draft. While he was physically unique, possessing six fingers on each hand due to polydactyly, he operated on the mound with a heavy, specialized sinker that made him one of the most polarizing closers of his era.

In 1997, Alfonseca achieved team success as a rookie with 6.1 scoreless postseason innings, helping the Marlins win their first World Series. He demonstrated mastery of his sinker in subsequent years, reaching a career-high in 2000, with 45 saves that summer, earning the Rolaids Relief Man Award. Despite a rise in ERA (4.24) and WHIP (1.51), he was a high-leverage clutch pitcher, often escaping trouble to secure wins.

The following year, Alfonseca recorded 28 saves in 2001 despite back pain. In early 2002, the organization traded him to the Chicago Cubs in a six-player trade including Matt Clement and Dontrelle Willis.  He would, however, return in 2005 for one final brief stint.

Alfonseca had 102 Saves for the Marlins and finished 193 Games.

The Bullet Points

  • Position: Pitcher
  • Acquired: Selected from the Montreal Expos in the Minor League Draft 12/13/93.
  • Departed:

    Traded to the Chicago Cubs with Matt Clement for Jose Cueto, Ryan Jorgensen, Julian Tavarez, and Dontrelle Willis 3/27/02

  • Games Played: 307
  • Notable Statistics:

    19 Wins
    25 Losses
    3.86 ERA
    193 Games Finished
    102 Saves
    333 Innings Pitched
    214 Strikeouts
    4.34 FIP
    1.483 WHIP
    1.71 SO/BB
    2.4 bWAR                       

    3 Playoff Games
    0 Wins
    0 Losses
    0.00 ERA
    6.1 Innings Pitched
    5 Strikeouts
    1.11 WHIP

  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    World Series Champion (1997)
    Rolaids Reliever of the Year (2000)
    Most Saves (2000)

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