Tigers officially sign pitcher Mike Pelfrey to 2-year deal
Pelfrey, 31, started 30 games for the Minnesota Twins in 2015 and posted a 6-11 record with a 4.26 ERA (164.2IP/78ER) and 86 strikeouts. The 6-7, 240 lbs., righthander finished the season tied for the major league lead with 29 ground ball double plays, while he led the American League with 0.60 home runs allowed per nine innings and ranked sixth in the AL with a 2.14 ground ball-to-fly ball ratio.
In 10 seasons at the major league level with the New York Mets (2006-12) and Minnesota Twins (2013-15), Pelfrey has compiled a 61-81 record with one save, a 4.52 ERA (1237.1IP/621ER) and 703 strikeouts. Among active pitchers with at least 1,000.0 innings pitched, Pelfrey ranks fifth with 0.72 home runs allowed per nine innings. He was originally selected by the New York Mets in the first round (ninth overall pick) of the 2005 MLB First-Year Player Draft.
A native of Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, Pelfrey attended Wichita State from 2003-05, earning First Team All-America honors and being named the Missouri Valley Conference Pitcher of the Year. Pelfrey currently resides in Wichita, Kansas, with his wife, Angela, son, Chase, and daughters, Madison Caroline and Avery Layne.
Pelfrey will wear jersey number 37 for the Tigers.