Joe Saunders

Joseph Francis Saunders (born June 16, 1981) is an American former professional baseball pitcher.

Saunders pitched in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Arizona Diamondbacks, Baltimore Orioles, Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers.

Saunders played college baseball at Virginia Tech, where he compiled a 27–7 career record.

His 27 wins tie him for third place in most career wins in school history.

His accomplishments as a Hokie earned him a place in the Virginia Tech Sports Hall of Fame.

In 2001, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Harwich Mariners of the Cape Cod Baseball League and was named a league all-star.

He was drafted in the first round (12th overall) by the then Anaheim Angels in 2002.

After being promoted to Single-A Cedar Rapids in 2002, he missed the entire 2003 season due to an injury in his left shoulder.

He returned to the game with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga in 2004 and went 9–7 with a 3.41 ERA.

He was promoted to Double-A Arkansas in 2004 and recorded a 7–4 record with two complete games in 2005.

Later in 2005, he was promoted to Triple-A Salt Lake.

In 2005, he was a combined 10–7 with three complete games, including two shutouts, earning honors as the Angels Organization's Pitcher of the Year.

Saunders made his major league debut on August 16, 2005, against the Toronto Blue Jays, receiving a no decision after closer Francisco Rodríguez blew the save in a 4–3 loss for the Angels.

He was sent back down to Salt Lake, but recalled on September 6 to start against the Seattle Mariners on September 14.

Once again, he received a no-decision in a 10–9 defeat and was optioned to Salt Lake.

Though he was not placed on the playoff roster, he was re-signed by the Angels to a one-year contract.

After Bartolo Colón was placed on the disabled list during the season, Saunders was recalled a final time and replaced Colon in the rotation.

Before Saunders received his first loss, he compiled a 4–0 record.

He ended the season with a 7–3 record and a 4.71 ERA.

Saunders began the season in the rotation while Colon remained on the disabled list.

He was named #37 of the top 50 minor league baseball players in 2006 by Minor League News.

As the only active major league player at the time from Virginia Tech, Saunders received special permission to wear a Virginia Tech cap during the April 20, 2007, game against the Seattle Mariners to honor the victims of the Virginia Tech massacre.

He also wore the initials "VT" on his cleats and drew the Virginia Tech logo on the back of the pitcher's mound before the start of the game.

He picked up the win after pitching six shutout innings.

He was optioned to the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees on April 21, 2007, to make room for Colon's return.

Saunders made two spot starts for when a pitcher on the Angel's normal rotation was injured: for Colon (triceps tendinitis) on June 2, 2007, against the Baltimore Orioles and for Jered Weaver (bruised shoulder) on June 22, 2007, against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

He was called up for a third time on July 21, 2007, to replace Ervin Santana in the starting rotation when Santana was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake.

In, Saunders entered spring training in a competition with Santana for the role of 5th starter in the Angels rotation.

After the Angels' co-aces John Lackey and Kelvim Escobar sustained injuries, both Saunders and Santana were promoted to full-time roles as the 3rd and 4th starter, respectively.

In the first third of the season, both players shone brightly, with both being considered early candidates for the American League Cy Young Award.

On June 3, 2008, Saunders became the American League's first 9-game winner in a 5–4 victory over division rivals the Seattle Mariners.

Saunders gave up only one earned run, lowering his ERA to 3rd best in the American League in the process.

Saunders also then became the first American League pitcher to get 11 wins, giving up only two earned runs to the Philadelphia Phillies on June 21, 2008.

Following the 2008 season, Saunders was asked to join the USA Baseball team for the 2009 World Baseball Classic.

However, he declined the request.

From 2008 to 2009, Saunders compiled 33 wins.

Saunders was the opening day pitcher for the Angels in the 2009 season.

On May 9, 2009, he pitched his first major league complete game shutout against the Kansas City Royals.

On July 25, 2010, he was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Dan Haren.

Three minor league pitchers, left hander Patrick Corbin and right handers Rafael Rodríguez and Tyler Skaggs also went to Arizona.