Phil Coke
Coke with the Detroit Tigers in 2013
Pitcher
Born: (1982-07-19) July 19, 1982
Sonora, California, U.S.
Batted: Left
Threw: Left
Professional debut
MLB: September 1, 2008, for the New York Yankees
NPB: April 1, 2017, for the Orix Buffaloes
Last appearance
MLB: September 26, 2016, for the Pittsburgh Pirates
NPB: May 13, 2017, for the Orix Buffaloes
MLB statistics
Win–loss record22–27
Earned run average4.19
Strikeouts323
NPB statistics
Win–loss record2–3
Earned run average4.56
Strikeouts16
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Phillip Douglas Coke (born July 19, 1982) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs, Toronto Blue Jays, and Pittsburgh Pirates.

Amateur Career

Coke pitched and played outfield and first base at Sonora High School in California. He was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 49th round (1,450th overall) of the 2001 Major League Baseball Draft.[1] He did not sign, choosing to attend San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton instead.[2]

Professional career

New York Yankees

Coke was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 26th round (786th overall) of the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft.[3] He signs with the Yankees for $80,000.[2]

He began his baseball career with the GCL Yankees in 2003. In 2004, he was promoted to the Short Season A Staten Island Yankees, but suffered an elbow injury after just three games.[4] Coke moved to Low-A with the Charleston RiverDogs in 2005, pitching to a 5.42 ERA in 24 games (18 starts). He was promoted to High-A with the Tampa Yankees, compiling a 3.60 ERA in 22 games (18 starts). He returned to Tampa in 2007 and missed time with another elbow injury,[4] compiling a 3.09 ERA in 99 innings as a starter.

In 2008, Coke made his Double-A debut with the Trenton Thunder, going 9–4 with a 2.54 ERA in 23 games (20 starts) and was an Eastern League All-Star.[5] He soon became a coveted prospect and was very nearly traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in a package for Damaso Marte and Xavier Nady.[4] On August 1, he was promoted to Triple-A and moved to the bullpen.[6] He went 2–2 with a 4.67 ERA in 13 games with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees.

Coke made his major league debut on September 1, 2008, for the Yankees, against the Detroit Tigers, with a scoreless inning and strikeouts of Curtis Granderson and Miguel Cabrera.[7] He allowed one run on eight hits and two walks while striking out 14 batters in 14.2 innings for the Yankees that year. For his performance in the minors that year, the Yankees named Coke the organization's Pitcher of the Year in 2008.[8]

Coke remained with the Yankees for the entire 2009 season, pitching to a 4.50 ERA with 49 strikeouts in 60 innings. He led the Yankees in appearances by pitching in 72 games that year.[9] Coke was included on the team's playoff roster[10] and won a World Series ring after the Yankees defeated the Philadelphia Phillies in six games.

Detroit Tigers

On December 9, 2009, Coke and Austin Jackson were traded to the Detroit Tigers, and Ian Kennedy was sent to the Arizona Diamondbacks, as part of a three-team trade that sent Curtis Granderson to the Yankees.[11]

Coke's first season in Detroit proved to be successful, as he finished 2010 with a 3.76 ERA (his career best to date) with 17 holds and two saves in 21 hold/save situations. After spending all of his previous time in the major leagues as a relief pitcher, Coke was moved from the bullpen to the fifth spot in the starting rotation to start the 2011 season.[12] On June 30, after accumulating a 1–8 record, Coke was moved back to the bullpen.[13] He would finish 2011 with a 3–9 record and a 4.47 ERA.

On January 16, 2012, Coke signed a one-year, $1.1 million deal with the Tigers to avoid arbitration. He was eligible to earn an additional $50,000 based on appearances in the 2012 season.[14]

Despite a season in which he posted a 4.00 ERA and a 1.65 WHIP, Coke was the Tigers' most reliable reliever in the 2012 postseason. Pressed into duty as the team's closer on October 14, 2012, after regular season closer José Valverde surrendered seven runs in his previous two appearances, Coke pitched two shutout innings in Game 2 of the 2012 ALCS against the Yankees to earn a save.[15] He then saved Game 3 by striking out Raúl Ibañez on a 3–2 slider to preserve a 2–1 victory after allowing back-to-back two-out singles.[16] In Game 4, Coke pitched two perfect innings to finish off the Tigers' 8–1 win over his former team and send Detroit to the World Series for the first time in six years.[17]

In the 2012 World Series, Coke pitched 3+1⁄3 innings, allowing one run, but that run came in the top of the tenth inning of Game 4 and was the game and series winner for the champion San Francisco Giants. This came after Coke had struck out the side in the top of the ninth inning which, coupled with his appearances in Games 2 and 3 of the series, gave him a World Series record seven consecutive strikeouts.[18] Coke finished the 2012 postseason allowing one run in 10+2⁄3 innings (0.84 ERA) and striking out 13 batters.

Coke struggled throughout the 2013 season, failing to thrive as either a setup man or a lefty specialist. Tossing only 38+1⁄3 innings on the year, Coke's ERA ballooned to a career-high 5.40. On August 20, 2013, after an outing against the Minnesota Twins that typified Coke's ineffectiveness that season, the Tigers demoted him to their Triple-A farm club in Toledo, subsequently promoting left-handed pitcher José Álvarez to the major league roster.[19]

In 2014, his final season with the Tigers, Coke posted a 5–2 record with 41 strikeouts and a 3.88 ERA in 58 innings pitched.

Chicago Cubs

In March 2015, Coke signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs, receiving a non-roster invitation to spring training.[20] Coke earned a $2.25 million salary upon making the team.[21][22] Coke had a 6.30 ERA in 16 appearances, allowing left-handed batters to hit .304 (7-for-23) against him. He was designated for assignment by the Cubs on May 18, and released by the club on May 26.[23][24]

Toronto Blue Jays

On May 30, 2015, Coke signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays, and was assigned to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons.[25][26] On June 11, the Blue Jays purchased Coke's contract from Triple-A.[27] He took the mound for the first time with Toronto on June 14, pitching two scoreless innings in a 13–5 win over the Boston Red Sox.[28] He became a free agent again on June 22, after he declined his minor-league assignment by the Blue Jays.[29]

Oakland Athletics

On June 27, 2015, Coke signed a minor league deal with the Oakland Athletics.[30] He was assigned to the Triple-A Nashville Sounds, but was released on August 18.[31]

Atlanta Braves

Coke signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves on March 11, 2016.[32] On March 26, 2016, he was released.[31]

Lancaster Barnstormers

On April 10, 2016, Coke signed with the Lancaster Barnstormers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.[33][34]

New York Yankees (second stint)

On April 25, 2016, the Yankees acquired Coke from the Atlantic League, and assigned him to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.[35] The Yankees promoted Coke to the major leagues on May 6.[36] He was designated for assignment on May 17.[37] On May 20, he was outrighted from the 40-man roster and optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre.[38]

Pittsburgh Pirates

On September 22, 2016, the Pittsburgh Pirates acquired Coke from the Yankees for cash considerations.[39]

Orix Buffaloes

On December 13, 2016, Coke signed with the Orix Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball.[40][41]

On December 2, 2017, he became a free agent.[42]

Acereros de Monclova

On March 22, 2018, Coke signed with the Acereros de Monclova of the Mexican League.[43] He was released on May 4, 2018.

In August 2018, Coke underwent Tommy John surgery.[44]

Pitch selection

Coke threw mostly four-seam and two-seam fastballs. His four-seamer was thrown in the 93 to 95 miles per hour (150 to 153 km/h) range, occasionally reaching 97 miles per hour (156 km/h). The two-seamer was a shade slower, averaging 92 to 93 miles per hour (148 to 150 km/h). He mixed in a slider in the 78 to 83 miles per hour (126 to 134 km/h) range and an occasional changeup between 83 miles per hour (134 km/h) and 86 miles per hour (138 km/h).[45]

Personal life

Coke married Bobbie Brough in 2011.[46] When he was still pitching in the minors, Coke once worked as a chimney sweep in the offseason.[47][2]

References

  1. ↑ "2001 Florida Marlins Draft Class - The Baseball Cube". TheBaseballCube.com. Retrieved 2024-01-15.
  2. 1 2 3 Keri, Jonah (October 22, 2012). "» Mop-up Duty". Grantland. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  3. ↑ "2002 New York Yankees Draft Class - The Baseball Cube". TheBaseballCube.com. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  4. 1 2 3 Kepner, Tyler (2009-05-29). "Phil Coke Is a Go-To Guy in Yankees' Depleted Bullpen". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  5. ↑ "Jackson And Coke Win Eastern League Player Of The Week Awards". OurSports Central. 2008-07-21. Retrieved 2024-01-15.
  6. ↑ Bontemps, Tim (August 8, 2008). "COKE GLAD HE'S STILL A YANKEE". New York Post. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  7. ↑ "A-Rod's early offense paces Yankees' outburst vs. Tigers". ESPN. September 1, 2008. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  8. ↑ King III, George A. (2009-03-01). "JOBA WORKS ON FASTBALL, GETS POUNDED". New York Post. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  9. ↑ "2009 New York Yankees Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  10. ↑ "Yankees Announce Roster for ALDS". NESN. October 7, 2009. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  11. ↑ Hoch, Bryan (December 9, 2009). "Granderson joins Yanks in three-way trade". New York Yankees. MLB.com. Archived from the original on December 12, 2009. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
  12. ↑ Kornacki, Steve (February 7, 2011). "Starter Phil Coke agrees to terms with Tigers". MLive Media Group. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  13. ↑ Beck, Jason (June 30, 2011). "Tigers move Coke to 'pen, Furbush to rotation". Detroit Tigers. MLB.com. Archived from the original on July 3, 2011. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
  14. ↑ Dierkes, Tim (January 16, 2012). "Players Avoiding Arbitration: Monday". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved January 16, 2012.
  15. ↑ Waldstein, David (October 15, 2012). "Yanks' Offense, Still Asleep, Fails to Support Kuroda". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  16. ↑ "Justin Verlander's gem gives Tigers 3-0 lead vs. Yanks". ESPN. October 16, 2012. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  17. ↑ "MLB: Detroit 8, New York Yankees 1". UPI. October 22, 2012. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  18. ↑ Cassidy, Jack (October 29, 2012). "Phil Coke sets Tigers, MLB records in World Series". SB Nation Detroit. Retrieved October 30, 2012.
  19. ↑ Iott, Chris (August 21, 2013). "Detroit Tigers send Phil Coke to Triple-A Toledo to work on command, recall left-hander Jose Alvarez". MLive Media Group. Retrieved August 21, 2013.
  20. ↑ Iott, Chris (March 5, 2015). "Phil Coke agrees to minor league deal with Cubs: 'No bull, I'm going to miss being a Tiger'". MLive Media Group. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
  21. ↑ Muskat, Carrie (March 8, 2015). "Coke, Cubs finalize Minor League deal". MLB.com. Archived from the original on March 10, 2016. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
  22. ↑ Gonzales, Mark (March 6, 2015). "Phil Coke stingy on right-handed talk". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 31, 2015.
  23. ↑ Gonzales, Mark (May 18, 2015). "Phil Coke loses fizz in Cubs' bullpen". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
  24. ↑ "Phil Coke back in AL with Toronto". The Union Democrat. June 12, 2015. Archived from the original on March 10, 2016. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
  25. ↑ Baer, Bill (May 30, 2015). "Report: Blue Jays sign Phil Coke to a minor league deal". NBC Sports. Retrieved May 30, 2015.
  26. ↑ Davidi, Shi (May 30, 2015). "Blue Jays sign LHP Coke to minor-league deal". Sportsnet. Retrieved May 30, 2015.
  27. ↑ Gleeman, Aaron (June 11, 2015). "Blue Jays call up reliever Phil Coke from Triple-A". hardballtalk.nbcsports.com. Retrieved June 11, 2015.
  28. ↑ Davidi, Shi (June 14, 2015). "Blue Jays completely humiliate Red Sox with sweep". Sportsnet. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  29. ↑ d'Oliveira, Sean (June 22, 2015). "Phil Coke become free agent after declining minor-league option". CBS Sports. Archived from the original on June 23, 2015. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
  30. ↑ "A's take a flier on veteran Phil Coke". Fox Sports. June 27, 2015. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  31. 1 2 "Phil Coke Trades and Transactions by Baseball Almanac". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  32. ↑ Bowman, Mark (March 9, 2016). "Pitch variety key to Wisler's spring success". Atlanta Braves. MLB.com. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
  33. ↑ Adams, Steve (April 11, 2016). "Minor MLB Transactions: 4/11/16". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  34. ↑ Navaroli, Steve (April 14, 2016). "Lancaster Barnstormers: Phil Coke brings major league fire, experience to lineup". Lancaster Online. Retrieved May 10, 2016.
  35. ↑ Axisa, Mike (25 April 2016). "Yankees bring back Phil Coke, send him to Triple-A". River Avenue Blues. Retrieved May 10, 2016.
  36. ↑ "Tuolumne County native Phil Coke back in major leagues". The Union Democrat. May 6, 2016. Archived from the original on May 8, 2016. Retrieved May 10, 2016.
  37. ↑ Baer, Bill (May 17, 2016). "Yankees designate Phil Coke for assignment". NBC Sports. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  38. ↑ "Yankees' Phil Coke: Outrighted to Triple-A". CBS Sports. May 20, 2016. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  39. ↑ Todd, Jeff (September 22, 2016). "Pirates Acquire Phil Coke". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  40. ↑ Todd, Jeff (December 13, 2016). "Minor MLB Transactions: 12/13/16". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved December 13, 2016.
  41. ↑ "オリ、ディクソンとモレルが残留 新外国人３投手も獲得". Sanspo (in Japanese). December 13, 2016. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 13, 2016.
  42. ↑ "2017年度 自由契約選手". Nippon Professional Baseball 日本野球機構 (in Japanese). December 2, 2017. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
  43. ↑ "Phil Coke el séptimo extranjero de la Furia" (in Spanish). Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  44. ↑ Feinsand, Mark (December 9, 2019). "Mark Feinsand on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  45. ↑ "Phil Coke PitchFX at FanGraphs.com". Fangraphs. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
  46. ↑ "Bobbie Brough & Phil Coke". TheKnot.com. TKWW Registry, LLC. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
  47. ↑ Edes, Gordon (October 28, 2009). "Coke jumps from chimneys to clubhouse". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved 2024-01-15.
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