Deunte Heath

Deunte Raymon Heath (born August 28, 1985) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut on September 1, 2012, for the Chicago White Sox, and has also pitched in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp and Saitama Seibu Lions.

Deunte Heath
Heath with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp
Free agent
Pitcher
Born: (1985-08-08) August 8, 1985
Atlanta, Georgia
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Professional debut
MLB: September 1, 2012, for the Chicago White Sox
NPB: August 24, 2014, for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp
MLB statistics
(through 2013 season)
Win–loss record0–0
Earned run average10.24
Strikeouts4
NPB statistics
(through 2019 season)
Win–loss record12–10
Earned run average2.66
Strikeouts181
Teams

Early life

Heath 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

Atlanta Braves

He 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 Single-A Rome, where he went 2-3 with a 2.03 ERA before being promoted to High-A Myrtle Beach, 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 Double-A Mississippi, where he went 4-5 with a 5.56 ERA. He started 2008 with Mississippi, going 2-5 with a 4.16 ERA before being promoted to Triple-A Gwinnett, where he went 0-1 with a 9.64 ERA. Heath was released after the year. 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

Heath signed with the White Sox on April 4, 2010. He played 2010 with Double-A Birmingham, going 2-4 with a 3.12 ERA exclusively in relief. He played all of 2011 with Triple-A Charlotte, where he went 4-7 with a 4.73 ERA. He was added to the 40-man roster to be protected from the Rule V Draft.

On July 4, 2012, Heath was called up by the White Sox to replace the injured Jesse Crain.[4] He was returned to Charlotte on July 8, without having made an appearance for the White Sox.[5] Heath was outrighted off the White Sox roster on February 7, 2014.

Mexican League

On April 18, 2016, Heath signed with the Vaqueros Laguna of the Mexican Baseball League. On May 17, 2016, Heath was traded to the Pericos de Puebla. He served as the team's closer for the 2016 and 2017 seasons before being released following the 2017 season.

Toyama Thunderbirds

On March 9, 2018, Heath signed with the Toyama Thunderbirds of the independent Baseball Challenge League of Japan.[6]

Saitama Seibu Lions

On May 10, 2018, Heath was traded to the Saitama Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).[7]

On November 13, 2019, Heath placed on waivers.[8] On November 20, 2019, he become free agent.[9]

References
  4. Merkin, Scott (2012-07-04). "Heath gives the White Sox 10 rookies". WhiteSox.MLB.com. Major League Baseball. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
  5. Powers, Scott (2012-07-08). "White Sox send Heath to Triple-A". ESPNChicago.com. Retrieved 2012-07-08.
  6. "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.
  7. "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.
  8. "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.
  9. "2019年度 自由契約選手". NPB.jp 日本野球機構 (in Japanese). Retrieved December 22, 2019.
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