Drew Storen

Drew Patrick Storen (born August 11, 1987) is an American professional baseball relief pitcher who is currently a free agent. He previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Washington Nationals, Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, and Cincinnati Reds.[1]

Drew Storen
Free agent
Relief pitcher
Born: (1987-08-11) August 11, 1987
Indianapolis, Indiana
Bats: Switch Throws: Right
MLB debut
May 17, 2010, for the Washington Nationals
MLB statistics
(through 2017 season)
Win–loss record29–18
Earned run average3.45
Strikeouts417
WHIP1.19
Saves99
Teams
Career highlights and awards

The Nats selected Storen with the 10th overall selection in the 2009 MLB draft;[1] he made his MLB debut for Washington in 2010.[1]

Amateur career

High school

Storen attended Brownsburg High School in Brownsburg, Indiana, where he was teammate of fellow future major league pitcher Lance Lynn. Playing for the school's baseball team, Storen had 30 wins, 319 strikeouts, and a 1.55 earned run average (ERA) over his high school career including a 9–0 win-loss record as a sophomore in 2005, en route to a Brownsburg State Championship. He was named first-team all-state in 2006 and 2007, as well as all-state honorable mention in 2005 by the Associated Press, the 2007 Hendricks County Flyer Athlete of the Year, three-time first-team All-Hoosier Crossroads Conference selection (2005–2007), first-team All-Metro West three times by The Indianapolis Star (2005–2007), their Super team in 2006 and 2007 and was their Metro-West High School Player of the Year in 2007. He participated in the 2007 Indiana North-South All-Star Game, and was a state nominee for the 2006 Wendy's High School Heisman Award. He was ranked 49th among the 2007 Top 100 High School prospects by Baseball America.[2]

Storen was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 34th round of the 2007 Major League Baseball draft but did not sign.[1]

College career

Storen enrolled at Stanford University to play college baseball for the Stanford Cardinals. In 2008, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[3] Over two seasons at Stanford, Storen went 12–4 with a 3.64 ERA and 15 saves. In 99 innings, he allowed 43 runs (40 earned), on 87 hits, with 23 walks, and 116 strikeouts. In both seasons he made the First All-Pac-10 Conference team.[2]

Professional career

Minor leagues

The Nationals selected Storen with the tenth overall pick of the 2009 MLB draft,[1] which they received as compensation for failure to sign 2008 MLB draft first-round pick Aaron Crow. Storen, expressing a desire to make it to the majors as quickly as possible, signed with the Nationals the next day.[4] Upon signing, he was assigned to the Class-A Hagerstown Suns of the South Atlantic League.[5] Storen made an early and strong impact during his time with the Suns, and on July 19 he was called up to the Advanced-A Potomac Nationals of the Carolina League.[6] Storen made his first pitching appearance with Potomac on July 21, earning a six out save, striking out three batters and allowing only one hit.[7] Overall, Storen posted a 1.80 ERA in seven games with Potomac to earn a promotion to the Double-A Harrisburg Senators of the Eastern League. In 12​1⁄3 innings with Harrisburg, he did not allow an earned run.[8]

Storen started the 2010 season at Double-A and by the end of April was promoted to the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs[9] after seven appearances in which he pitched 9​1⁄3 innings, allowing only one run, striking out 11 and walking one, earning four saves.[8] He lasted at Syracuse just three weeks, in which he made six appearances allowing just one earned run before getting promoted to the Nationals on May 16.[8][4]

2010–2011
Storen as a rookie at 2010 spring training

Storen made his major league debut on May 17, 2010, against the St. Louis Cardinals, retiring two batters in ⅔ of an inning.[1][10] Storen recorded his first major league save on August 6, 2010, against the Los Angeles Dodgers.[11] In 2010, he pitched 55​1⁄3 innings over 54 games, finishing with a 4–4 record and a 3.58 ERA with five saves.[1]

In 2011, Storen became the team's closer.[12] He pitched 75​1⁄3 innings over 73 games, finishing the year with a 6–3 record, with 43 saves, and a 2.75 ERA.[1] He tied for fourth in the MLB in saves.[13]

2012

Before the 2012 season, Storen had surgery to remove a bone chip from his elbow, and missed the first 89 games of the season.[14] He made his season debut on July 19, 2012.[15] Tyler Clippard remained the Nationals' closer after Storen's return,[16] though they shared the role later in the season.[17] In the 2012 regular season, Storen posted a 3–1 win–loss with a 2.37 ERA, 4 saves, and 24 strikeouts over innings.[1]

See also: 2012 National League Division Series § Washington vs. St. Louis

Storen took on the closer role for the 2012 National League Division Series against the St. Louis Cardinals, in the Nationals' first playoff appearance since the team moved to Washington. He got the save in Game 1[18] and the win in Game 4.[19] In Game 5, Storen took the mound with a 7–5 lead, needing three outs to send the Nationals to the National League Championship Series. After giving up a leadoff double, he retired the next two batters. He was one strike away from the third out against both Yadier Molina and David Freese, but walked both to load the bases.[20] Storen then gave up a two-run single to Daniel Descalso to tie the game.[20] Manager Davey Johnson elected to have Storen pitch to Pete Kozma with the pitcher on deck; Storen allowed a two-run single to Kozma to give the Cardinals a 9–7 lead.[21] The Nationals lost the game 9–7 and were eliminated. Storen's blown save, in which he had the Cardinals down to their final strike on five occasions,[22] was described by teammates as "devastating" and he was said to be in "excruciating" mental pain after the loss;[23] several teammates voiced support for him.[22]

2013–2014

Before the 2013 season, the Nationals signed Rafael Soriano to be their closer, a move that Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said had nothing to do with Storen's blown save in Game 5.[23] Storen took on the roles of a middle relief and setup man. He was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse in late July following several rough outings.[24][25] Storen returned to the Nationals in July and finished the season strong, with scoreless outings in 18 of his final 21 appearances. In 2013, he posted a 4–2 record, 4.52 ERA, and 58 strikeouts in 61​2⁄3 innings pitched.[1]

Storen bounced back in 2014, recording a career-best 1.12 ERA in 56​1⁄3 innings pitched. After giving up 31 earned runs in 68 appearances during the previous season, he surrendered just seven in 65 outings during the 2014 campaign.[1]

See also: 2014 National League Division Series § Washington vs. San Francisco

In Game 2 of the 2014 NLDS against the Giants, Storen was brought in by manager Matt Williams in relief of starter Jordan Zimmermann, who had allowed three hits and no runs in the game and had retired the last 20 hitters he faced before walking second baseman Joe Panik to with two outs the ninth. Storen allowed two hits, a single to Buster Posey and an RBI double by Pablo Sandoval. Storen was credited with a blown save. The game went to extra innings; San Francisco's Brandon Belt hit a go-ahead home run in the eighteenth inning and the Giants won, 2-1. The Giants later won the series, three games to one.[26]

2015
Storen pitching

Storen relinquished his closer role when Jonathan Papelbon was acquired by the Nationals from Philadelphia just before the trade deadline. He struggled as the Nationals' setup man, ending with two disastrous outings against the New York Mets in early September. After giving up the go-ahead runs on a homer by Yoenis Céspedes, Storen slammed a locker in frustration, breaking his thumb and ending his season. He went 2–2 with a 3.44 ERA for the year but was 0–2 with a 9.22 ERA after the Papelbon trade.[27]

Toronto Blue Jays

On January 8, 2016, Storen was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for outfielder Ben Revere and a player to be named later.[28] He avoided salary arbitration with Toronto on January 15 when he agreed to a one-year, $8.375 million contract.[29] After posting a 6.21 ERA in 33​1⁄3 innings pitched, Storen was designated for assignment on July 24.[30]

Seattle Mariners

On July 26, 2016, Storen was traded to the Seattle Mariners for Joaquín Benoit.[31] The Mariners were Storen's childhood favorite team, as he idolized Ken Griffey, Jr.[32] Storen appeared in 19 games for the Mariners, pitching 18​1⁄3 innings and attaining a 3-0 record with a 3.44 ERA.[1]

Cincinnati Reds

On January 3, 2017, Storen signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Cincinnati Reds. The contract included an additional $1.5 million in incentives, and a $500,000 assignment bonus if Storen was traded.[33] On April 18, 2017, Storen closed out the 9th inning of a Reds 9-3 victory by striking out the side on 9 pitches. When he returned to Washington to face the Nationals he struck out one batter to end the seventh inning. On September 17, it was announced that Storen would undergo Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, ending his 2017 season and causing him to miss the 2018 season.

Kansas City Royals

On February 15, 2019, Storen signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals.[34] He was released on June 19, 2019.[35][1]

Philadelphia Phillies

On January 21, 2020, Storen signed a minor league deal with the Philadelphia Phillies.[36][1] Storen was released by the Phillies organization on June 28, 2020.

Pitching style

Storen throws three pitches in roughly equal proportion: a hard four-seam fastball and two-seam fastball that each range from 94 to 98 MPH, and a sharp slider from 82 to 86. Right-handed hitters see the slider more often, and left-handed hitters see the two-seamer more often. Storen often relies on the slider with two strikes. On rare occasions, he has used a changeup against lefties.[37]

Personal life
Storen and his sister in 2011

Drew Storen is the son of sportscaster Mark Patrick and Pam Storen, and has a sister named Lindsay.[2][38] He is also related to sports executive Mike Storen and his daughter, sportscaster Hannah Storm.[39] As of April 2020, Storen and his wife, Brittani, had two sons, Jace, aged 3 years, and Pierce, born in February 2020.[40]

References
  1. "Drew Storen Stats". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. 2020. Retrieved January 21, 2020.
  2. "Player Bio: Drew Storen". gostanford.com. Stanford Official Athletic Site. April 17, 2013. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  3. "Major League Baseball Players From the Cape Cod League" (PDF). capecodbaseball.org. Cape Cod Baseball League. October 28, 2015. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
  4. Kilgore, Adam (May 16, 2010). "Nationals Journal: Nationals promote Drew Storen". voices.washingtonpost.com. The Washington Post. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
  5. Ladson, Bill (June 10, 2009). "Nationals sign reliever Storen". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. Retrieved June 10, 2009.
  6. Masterson, Anthony; McGinn, Dan (July 19, 2009). "First Round Pick Storen Headed to Potomac". MiLB.com. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved July 19, 2009.
  7. Masterson, Anthony (July 21, 2009). "Storen Dominant as Nats Top Cats in Opener". MiLB.com. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved July 21, 2009.
  8. "Drew Storen Fall & Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. 2020. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
  9. Sheinin, Dave (April 29, 2010). "Nationals Journal: Drew Storen Promoted to Class AAA Syracuse". voices.washingtonpost.com. The Washington Post. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
  10. "Cardinals jump on Nats early to give Lohse first win of season". ESPN.com. ESPN. May 17, 2010. Retrieved January 21, 2014.
  11. Goessling, Ben (August 7, 2010). "Nationals top Dodgers 6-3". masnsports.com. MASN. Archived from the original on February 1, 2014. Retrieved January 21, 2014.
  12. Kilgore, Adam (May 1, 2011). "Drew Storen looking like the Nationals' closer". washingtonpost.com. The Washington Post. Retrieved January 21, 2014.
  13. "MLB saves leaders, 2011". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. May 24, 2013. Retrieved January 21, 2014.
  14. "Drew Storen injury update: Nationals activate closer from DL". sportingnews.com. The Sporting News. July 19, 2012. Retrieved January 21, 2014.
  15. Kilgore, Adam (July 19, 2012). "Drew Storen returns with a 1-2-3 inning and a new-and-improved sinker". washingtonpost.com. The Washington Post. Retrieved January 21, 2014.
  16. Wagner, James (June 24, 2012). "Tyler Clippard to remain Nationals closer even when Drew Storen returns from injury". washingtonpost.com. The Washington Post. Retrieved January 21, 2014.
  17. Kilgore, Adam (September 21, 2012). "Drew Storen, Tyler Clippard to split closer role for the Nationals". washingtonpost.com. The Washington Post. Retrieved January 21, 2014.
  18. Langosch, Jenifer (October 7, 2012). "Nationals vs. Cardinals 10/7/2012". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. Retrieved January 21, 2014.
  19. Ladson, Bill (October 11, 2012). "Nationals vs. Cardinals 10/11/2012". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. Retrieved January 21, 2014.
  20. Fenno, Nathan (October 13, 2012). "Drew Storen's nightmare outing in Game 5 hard to swallow". washingtontimes.com. Retrieved January 21, 2014.
  21. Ladson, Bill (October 13, 2012). "One strike away, Nationals fall after Cards rally". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. Retrieved January 21, 2014.
  22. Wise, Mike (October 13, 2012). "Drew Storen pained by Washington Nationals loss to St. Louis Cardinals". washingtonpost.com. The Washington Post. Retrieved January 24, 2020.
  23. Heyman, Jon (February 22, 2013). "The secret's out now: Nats' Storen was in terrible pain for Game 5". cbssports.com. CBS Sports. Retrieved January 21, 2014.
  24. Kilgore, Adam (July 26, 2013). "Tyler Clippard sounds off after Nationals demote Drew Storen". washingtonpost.com. The Washington Post. Retrieved January 21, 2014.
  25. Wagner, James (July 27, 2013). "Nationals want Drew Storen to rediscover mechanics". washingtonpost.com. The Washington Post. Retrieved January 21, 2014.
  26. "2014 National League Division Series (NLDS) Game 2, Giants at Nationals". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. October 4, 2014. Retrieved October 22, 2017.
  27. Wilaj, Steve (September 12, 2015). "Storen breaks thumb, likely out for season". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. Retrieved September 12, 2015.
  28. Ladson, Bill (January 8, 2016). "Nats land Revere, send Storen to Blue Jays". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. Retrieved January 8, 2016.
  29. Nicholson-Smith, Ben (January 15, 2016). "Blue Jays avoid arbitration with six players, not Donaldson". sportsnet.ca. Sportsnet. Retrieved January 16, 2016.
  30. "Blue Jays designate Drew Storen for assignment". sportsnet.ca. Sportsnet. Canadian Press. July 24, 2016. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
  31. Davidi, Shi (July 26, 2016). "Blue Jays trade Drew Storen to Mariners for RHP Joaquin Benoit". sportsnet.ca. Sportsnet. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
  32. Drayer, Shannon (June 29, 2016). "Drew Storen 'dorked out' over trade to the Mariners". sports.mynorthwest.com. KIRO (AM). Retrieved January 24, 2020.
  33. Sheldon, Mark (January 3, 2017). "Reds sign reliever Storen to 1-year contract". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
  34. Todd, Jeff (February 15, 2019). "Royals To Sign Drew Storen". mlbtraderumors.com. MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
  35. Byrne, Connor (June 19, 2019). "Royals Release Drew Storen". mlbtraderumors.com. MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  36. Zolecki, Todd (January 21, 2020). "Storen inks Minors deal with Phils (source)". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
  37. "Drew Storen Pitch Repertoire At-A-Glance". brooksbaseball.net. Brooks Baseball. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  38. Patrick, Mark (September 27, 2012). "The agonizing and amazing feeling of watching my son, Drew Storen". SI.com. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved January 21, 2014.
  39. Morrow, Geoff (April 17, 2010). "Getting to know: Harrisburg Senators' reliever Drew Storen". penn-live.com. The Patriot-News. Retrieved January 24, 2020.
  40. "Drew Storen has many Phillies connections — and a new lease on baseball life". NBC Sports Philadelphia. April 30, 2020. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
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