Drake Britton
Britton with the Pawtucket Red Sox
Pitcher
Born: (1989-05-22) May 22, 1989
Waco, Texas, U.S.
Batted: Left
Threw: Left
MLB debut
July 20, 2013, for the Boston Red Sox
Last MLB appearance
September 28, 2014, for the Boston Red Sox
MLB statistics
Win–loss record1–1
Earned run average2.93
Strikeouts21
Teams

John Drake Britton (born May 22, 1989) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He has played for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB).

Early life

Britton was born in Waco, Texas.[1] He attended Tomball High School. In 2006, his junior season, he was recognized as an Aflac All–American. Later that same year, he took part in the Junior Olympics operated by USA Baseball.[1]

Professional career

Boston Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox selected Britton in the 23rd round of the 2007 MLB Draft. Britton signed a $700,000 signing bonus with the Red Sox.[2] He began his professional career in 2008 with the Class A short-season Lowell Spinners. He appeared in eight games, making seven starts, and recorded an ERA of 4.28 over 33.2 innings.[3]

In 2009, Britton split time between the Gulf Coast League Red Sox and Lowell; he combined to appear in 11.2 innings over seven games. He missed most of the season due to Tommy John surgery.[2]

2010 saw Britton promoted to the Class A full-season Greenville Drive, where he started 21 games and compiled a 2.97 ERA.[3]

Britton was promoted once again in 2011 to the Salem Red Sox. In Salem, Britton made 26 starts and posted a 1–13 record.[1] His 13 losses were a league high and His 6.91 ERA was the worst for all Carolina League starters.[4]

In November 2011, Britton was added to the Red Sox' 40-man roster to prevent other teams from selecting him in the Rule 5 Draft.[5]

Britton split 2012 between Salem and the Double–A Portland Sea Dogs of the Eastern League.[3]

Britton remained with Portland at the start of the 2013 season.[1] He joined the Triple–A Pawtucket Red Sox on July 5, and was then called up to the major leagues on July 14.[1] His MLB debut came on July 20 as he did not allow a run in one inning against the New York Yankees.[1] On July 31, Britton tossed a pair of shutout innings against the Seattle Mariners to earn his first MLB win.[1]

Chicago Cubs

Britton was claimed off waivers by the Chicago Cubs on February 4, 2015. He was outrighted off the roster on April 3.[1] During the 2015 season, Britton played for the Triple-A Iowa Cubs. He pitched in 28 games, including 11 as a starter, and compiled a 7–8 record with one save, a 5.08 ERA, and 45 strikeouts.[3] An injury to his left shoulder caused Britton to spend some of late August and early September on the disabled list.[1]

Detroit Tigers

On December 11, 2015, Britton signed a minor-league contract with the Detroit Tigers, and was invited to spring training.[6] In 37 appearances for the Toledo Mud Hens, Detroit's AAA affiliate, Britton posted a 4.57 ERA over 41.1 innings.[3] On August 2, 2016, Britton was suspended 50 games for violating the terms of the Major League Baseball drug policy.[7]

Bridgeport Bluefish

On March 14, 2017, Britton signed with the Bridgeport Bluefish of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball for the 2017 season.

Southern Maryland Blue Crabs

On November 1, 2017, Britton was drafted by the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs in the Bridgeport Bluefish dispersal draft. On March 21, 2018, he signed with the Blue Crabs for the 2018 season. He became a free agent following the 2018 season.

Personal

On March 5, 2013, he was pulled over driving 113 miles per hour (182 km/h) in a 45 miles per hour (72 km/h) zone at 4:14 am. He allegedly handed police his debit card when asked for ID. He was charged with DUI. The incident happened hours before a scheduled spring training start with the Red Sox.[8]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 2016 Detroit Tigers Media Guide. 2016. pp. 65–67.
  2. 1 2 "#31 Drake Britton". Soxprospects.com. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Drake Britton Minor & Independent Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved June 24, 2017.
  4. ↑ "2011 Carolina League Pitching Leaders". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
  5. ↑ Cole, Mike (November 19, 2011). "Will Middlebrooks, Che-Hsuan Lin, Drake Britton Added to Red Sox' 40-Man Roster". NESN.com. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
  6. ↑ Jahnke, James (December 11, 2015). "Tigers sign 17 minor leaguers, invite 6 to camp". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
  7. ↑ McCosky, Chris (August 2, 2016). "Tigers minor leaguer Britton suspended 50 games". The Detroit News. Retrieved August 2, 2016.
  8. ↑ Edes, Gordon (March 5, 2013). "2013 spring training -- Drake Britton, Boston Red Sox prospect, arrested on DUI charge". ESPN Boston. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
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