Randy Wells
Encyclopedia
Randy David Wells is a Major League Baseball
pitcher
for the Chicago Cubs
.
Wells was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 38th Round (1143rd overall) of the 2002 amateur entry draft as a catcher. He spent his career in the Chicago Cubs farm system from to before being claimed in the Rule 5 Draft
by the Toronto Blue Jays
before the season. Wells made the opening day roster and made his debut on April 5, , against the Boston Red Sox
and pitched a scoreless inning. It was his only appearance for the Blue Jays because he was designated for assignment
on April 10, 2008. Wells was returned to the Cubs organization on April 16, and was assigned to the Triple-A Iowa Cubs
. On September 9, 2008, the Cubs placed Jon Lieber
on the 60-day DL
and called up Wells to replace him on the roster. After spring training
in 2009, he was returned to the Iowa Cubs
. Wells was called up to the Cubs active roster on May 5, 2009 in place of the injured Carlos Zambrano
. He made his first start on May 8 against the Milwaukee Brewers
and struck out five batters in five scoreless innings, but despite leaving the game with a 2-0 lead, the Cubs' bullpen gave up three runs and eventually lost 3-2. Randy got his first Major League win on June 21, 2009 in a 6-2 win over a struggling and injury plagued Cleveland Indians
. On July 29, Randy became the first Cub rookie pitcher to win 7 games since Kerry Wood
did it in 1998, when he threw 8 shutout innings in a 12-0 Cubs win over the last place Astros
. In his time off the field, he enjoys songwriting and playing the air guitar
.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
for the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
.
Wells was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 38th Round (1143rd overall) of the 2002 amateur entry draft as a catcher. He spent his career in the Chicago Cubs farm system from to before being claimed in the Rule 5 Draft
Rule 5 draft
The Rule 5 draft is a Major League Baseball player draft that occurs each year in December, at the annual Winter Meeting of general managers. The Rule 5 draft aims to prevent teams from stockpiling too many young players on their minor league affiliate teams when other teams would be willing to...
by the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
before the season. Wells made the opening day roster and made his debut on April 5, , against the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
and pitched a scoreless inning. It was his only appearance for the Blue Jays because he was designated for assignment
Designated for assignment
Designated for assignment is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball. When a player is designated for assignment, he is immediately removed from the club's 40-man roster. This gives the club 10 days to decide what to do with the player while freeing up a roster spot for another...
on April 10, 2008. Wells was returned to the Cubs organization on April 16, and was assigned to the Triple-A Iowa Cubs
Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs are a Triple-A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Chicago Cubs, that plays in the Pacific Coast League. Their home games are played in Des Moines, Iowa, at Principal Park.-Franchise history:...
. On September 9, 2008, the Cubs placed Jon Lieber
Jon Lieber
Jonathan Ray Lieber is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He played for the Pittsburgh Pirates , Chicago Cubs , New York Yankees , Philadelphia Phillies . He batted left-handed and threw right-handed...
on the 60-day DL
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
and called up Wells to replace him on the roster. After spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
in 2009, he was returned to the Iowa Cubs
Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs are a Triple-A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Chicago Cubs, that plays in the Pacific Coast League. Their home games are played in Des Moines, Iowa, at Principal Park.-Franchise history:...
. Wells was called up to the Cubs active roster on May 5, 2009 in place of the injured Carlos Zambrano
Carlos Zambrano
Carlos Alberto Zambrano is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher with the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball. Zambrano, who stands 6' 5" and weighs 260 pounds, was signed by the Cubs as a free agent in 1997 and made his debut in 2001...
. He made his first start on May 8 against the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
and struck out five batters in five scoreless innings, but despite leaving the game with a 2-0 lead, the Cubs' bullpen gave up three runs and eventually lost 3-2. Randy got his first Major League win on June 21, 2009 in a 6-2 win over a struggling and injury plagued Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
. On July 29, Randy became the first Cub rookie pitcher to win 7 games since Kerry Wood
Kerry Wood
Kerry Lee Wood is a National Major League Baseball relief pitcher. Wood recorded over 200 strikeouts in four out of his first five seasons, with a high of 266 in 2003....
did it in 1998, when he threw 8 shutout innings in a 12-0 Cubs win over the last place Astros
Astros
Astros in sports may refer to:*The Houston Astros, a Major League Baseball team*Astros , an American football team in Australia*Astros Field, now renamed Minute Maid ParkAstros may also refer to:...
. In his time off the field, he enjoys songwriting and playing the air guitar
Air guitar
Playing air guitar is a form of dance and movement in which the performer pretends to play rock or heavy metal-style electric guitar, including riffs, solos, etc. Playing an air guitar usually consists of exaggerated strumming and picking motions and is often coupled with loud singing or lip-synching...
.