Deunte Raymon Heath (born August 28, 1985) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago White Sox, and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp and Saitama Seibu Lions. He made his MLB debut in 2012.
| Deunte Heath | |
|---|---|
 Heath with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: August 28, 1985 Atlanta, Georgia | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| Professional debut | |
| MLB: September 1, 2012, for the Chicago White Sox | |
| NPB: August 24, 2014, for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp | |
| Last appearance | |
| MLB: June 19, 2013, for the Chicago White Sox | |
| NPB: September 14, 2019, for the Saitama Seibu Lions | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 0–0 |
| Earned run average | 10.24 |
| Strikeouts | 4 |
| NPB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 12–10 |
| Earned run average | 2.66 |
| Strikeouts | 181 |
| Stats at Baseball Reference | |
| Teams | |
Early life
editHeath went to Newton County High School and was drafted in the 27th round, 799th overall, as a senior by the New York Mets in 2003. He did not sign, and went on to Lake City Community College. In his freshman year of 2004, he got 6 wins and was named Second-Team All-Mid Florida Conference. He was drafted that year by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 25th round, 735th overall, 13 selections before Rays outfielder Justin Ruggiano. However, he did not sign and returned to Lake City CC. In his sophomore year, he got 4 wins and was rated as the 146th best prospect for the 2005 MLB Draft by Baseball America. In that draft, he was selected by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the 23rd round, 703rd overall, 2 selections before Phillies pitcher David Herndon. Once again, Heath did not sign, but he did transfer to the University of Tennessee. In his junior year, he went 4-3 with a 3.86 ERA.
Professional career
editAtlanta Braves
editHe was drafted in the 2006 Draft by the Atlanta Braves in the 19th round, 580th overall, 1 selection before Indians pitcher Josh Tomlin.[1]
Heath was assigned to the Single–A Rome Braves, where he went 2–3 with a 2.03 ERA before being promoted to the High–A Myrtle Beach Pelicans, where he went 2–4 with a 5.82 ERA. He started 2007 with Myrtle Beach, where he went an impressive 9-2 with a 3.11 ERA before being promoted to the Double–A Mississippi Braves, where he went 4–5 with a 5.56 ERA. Heath started 2008 with Mississippi, going 2–5 with a 4.16 ERA before being promoted to Triple–A Gwinnett Braves, where he went 0–1 with a 9.64 ERA. Heath was released by the Braves organization on April 4, 2010. He played the offseason in the Arizona Fall League with Mesa, appearing in 10 games with an 8.31 ERA.[2][3]
Chicago White Sox
editOn April 5, 2010, Heath signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox. He played 2010 with the Double–A Birmingham Barons, going 2–4 with a 3.12 ERA exclusively in relief.[4] He played all of 2011 with the Triple–A Charlotte Knights, where he went 4–7 with a 4.73 ERA.[4] On November 18, 2011, the White Sox added Heath to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.
On July 4, 2012, Heath was called up by the White Sox to replace the injured Jesse Crain.[5] He was returned to Charlotte on July 8, without having made an appearance for the White Sox, briefly becoming a phantom ballplayer.[6]
Heath was outrighted off the White Sox roster on February 7, 2014.[7] He was released on July 17.
Vaqueros Laguna
editOn April 15, 2016, Heath signed with the Vaqueros Laguna of the Mexican League. In 15 appearances for Laguna, he compiled an 0–2 record and 1.08 ERA with 19 strikeouts across 16+2⁄3 innings pitched.
Pericos de Puebla
editOn May 17, 2016, Heath was traded to the Pericos de Puebla. He served as the team's closer in 2016.[citation needed] In 30 games for Puebla, he logged a 3–3 record and 4.25 ERA with 32 strikeouts across 29+2⁄3 innings of relief. Heath became a free agent following the season.
On January 2, 2017, Heath signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds organization. He was released prior to the start of the season on March 28.
On March 28, 2017, Heath signed with the Pericos de Puebla of the Mexican League. In 38 games for the team, he registered a 3–2 record and 3.30 ERA with 66 strikeouts and 20 saves across 46+1⁄3 innings pitched. Heath became a free agent following the season.
Toyama Thunderbirds
editOn March 9, 2018, Heath signed with the Toyama Thunderbirds of the independent Baseball Challenge League of Japan.[8]
Saitama Seibu Lions
editOn May 10, 2018, Heath was traded to the Saitama Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).[9]
On November 13, 2019, Heath was placed on waivers by the Lions.[10] On November 20, he became a free agent.[11]
Acereros de Monclova
editOn May 12, 2022, Heath signed with the Acereros de Monclova of the Mexican League.[12] In 25 games for Monclova, he posted a 3–0 record and 2.84 ERA with 33 strikeouts across 25+1⁄3 innings of relief.
Heath made one appearance for the team in 2023, and didn't record an out after giving up two hits, two walks, and four earned runs.
Saraperos de Salitllo
editOn April 25, 2023, Heath's rights were traded to the Saraperos de Saltillo.[13] In 41 appearances for Saltillo, he compiled a 7–2 record and 2.91 ERA with 50 strikeouts over 46+1⁄3 innings of work.
On May 15, 2024, Heath retired from professional baseball.
References
edit- ^ "Deunte Heath Bio - UTSPORTS.COM - University of Tennessee Athletics". www.utsports.com. Archived from the original on June 10, 2015.
- ^ "Deunte Heath Minor, Fall, Winter, Japanese & Mexican Leagues Statistics & History | Baseball-Reference.com".
- ^ "Deunte Heath - Stats - the Baseball Cube".
- ^ a b "Deunte Heath Stats, Fantasy & News". MiLB.com. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
- ^ Merkin, Scott (July 4, 2012). "Heath gives the White Sox 10 rookies". WhiteSox.MLB.com. Major League Baseball. Retrieved July 5, 2012.[dead link]
- ^ Powers, Scott (July 8, 2012). "White Sox send Heath to Triple-A". ESPNChicago.com. Retrieved July 8, 2012.
- ^ "Transactions". MLB.com. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
- ^ "新入団選手のお知らせ". 富山サンダーバーズ T-birds baseball club official website (in Japanese). March 9, 2018. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
- ^ "新外国人選手保有権譲渡合意のお知らせ". 埼玉西武ライオンズ 公式サイト (in Japanese). May 15, 2018. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
- ^ "埼玉西武ライオンズ選手契約について". 埼玉西武ライオンズ公式サイト (in Japanese). November 14, 2019. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
- ^ "2019年度 自由契約選手". NPB.jp 日本野球機構 (in Japanese). Retrieved December 22, 2019.
- ^ "Deunte Heath Stats, Fantasy & News". MiLB.com. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
- ^ @AcererosOficial (April 25, 2023). "¡ATENCIÓN FURIA! 🙋🏻Desactivamos a: Deunte Heath (PD) y Sebastian Kessay (PZ) quienes son cedidos a Saraperos de Saltillo. Matt Acosta (OF) quien pasa vía préstamo con rellamado a Saraperos. Activamos a: Nick Tropeano (PD).Emanuel Ramírez (PD). #AceroPuroPoder. 🔥💪🏼💙" (Tweet) (in Spanish). Retrieved April 26, 2023 – via Twitter.
External links
edit- Career statistics from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or NPB