Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Al Alburquerque

Alberto Jose Alburquerque (born June 10, 1986) is a former who played in (MLB) from 2011 to 2017. Standing at 6 feet 0 inches (1.83 m) tall and weighing 195 pounds (88 kg), he batted and threw right-handed during his career. Alburquerque signed with the Chicago Cubs as an international free agent in 2003 and spent several seasons in their system before being selected by the Tigers in the 2009 . He made his MLB debut with the Tigers on April 15, 2011, and appeared in 72 games that season, posting a 1.87 () over 43+1⁄3 . Over five seasons with (2011–2015), he contributed to three consecutive division titles and postseason appearances in 2011–2013, where he appeared in 14 games and recorded a 5.40 over 10 . After being traded to the in December 2015, Alburquerque pitched for the Angels in 2016 before joining the and in 2017, appearing in a total of 21 games that year across both teams (11 with the Royals and 10 with the White Sox). In 264 career MLB games, all in relief, he compiled a 17–8 win–loss record, a 3.16 , 291 strikeouts, and a 1.31 walks plus hits per pitched (WHIP) over 245 innings. His most notable achievement came in 2014, when he led the with 72 appearances. Alburquerque became a after the 2017 season and continued his professional career in various minor, independent, and international leagues, including the Mexican League, through 2025.

Early life and background

Childhood and family

Alberto José Alburquerque was born on June 10, 1986, in , . Little is publicly known about Alburquerque's family background or specific early living conditions, though he grew up in a modest environment typical of the region. , often called the "Cradle of Shortstops," is renowned as a prolific hub for baseball talent in the , having produced numerous players due to the sport's deep cultural integration and economic opportunities it offers local youth. Alburquerque's initial exposure to came through informal local play in this baseball-saturated community, where the game is a central part of daily life and aspiration for many children.

Amateur baseball experience

Al Alburquerque, a native of , —a city widely recognized as a cradle of talent that has produced numerous players—likely honed his initial pitching abilities through participation in local youth leagues and informal games common in the region. This environment, known for its intense focus on development among young prospects without the structured U.S. high school or college systems, allowed Alburquerque to emerge as an international prospect. His early talent drew scouting attention in the , leading to his signing as an undrafted amateur free agent by Chicago Cubs scout on July 4, 2003. This contract marked the transition from his amateur roots to , bypassing formal tryouts or showcases in favor of direct identification through local evaluations typical for prospects.

Professional career

Minor league beginnings (Cubs and Rockies)

Al Alburquerque signed with the Chicago Cubs as an international in 2003 under José Serra, motivated by the opportunity to pursue a career abroad. He began his professional tenure that year in the -level (DSL) with the DSL Cubs. Alburquerque missed the entire 2005 season due to injury but returned in 2006 to pitch for the League (AZL) Cubs, where he posted a 0–2 record with a 5.98 over 12⅔ innings in eight appearances (five starts), recording 15 strikeouts. In 2007, Alburquerque progressed to full-season affiliates, starting with the Short-Season A Boise Hawks (3–2, 3.73 ERA in 41 innings, 49 strikeouts) before moving to the Class A Peoria Chiefs (1–4, 9.24 ERA in 25⅓ innings, 20 strikeouts), finishing the year with a combined 4–6 record and 5.83 ERA across 66⅔ innings in 21 games (10 starts). His development was interrupted in 2008 by a shoulder injury that sidelined him for the entire season, limiting his exposure and requiring focused rehabilitation. Alburquerque rebounded strongly in 2009 with the High Class A Cubs, going 1–0 with two saves and a 2.08 in 34⅔ innings over 34 appearances, striking out 44 batters. On July 2, 2009, the Cubs traded him to the Colorado Rockies in exchange for infielder Jeff Baker; he then joined the Double-A , where he recorded a 1–3 mark with a 3.76 in 26⅓ innings and 31 strikeouts. Overall for 2009 across both organizations, he achieved a 2–3 record, 2.80 , and 75 strikeouts in 61 innings, primarily as a reliever. With the Rockies in 2010, Alburquerque continued at Double-A Tulsa, appearing in 25 relief outings with a 2–4 record, three saves, and 4.98 ERA over 34⅓ innings, including 32 strikeouts, as he worked to refine his command at the higher level.

MLB debut and Tigers tenure (2011–2015)

Al Alburquerque joined the Detroit Tigers organization as a minor league free agent on November 19, 2010, following time in the Chicago Cubs and Colorado Rockies systems that provided him with essential seasoning for major league competition. He made his MLB debut on April 15, 2011, and quickly established himself as a reliable reliever in his rookie season, finishing with a 6–1 record, 1.87 ERA, 67 strikeouts in 43.1 innings pitched, and a 1.154 WHIP across 41 appearances. That year, Alburquerque appeared in four postseason games during the Tigers' ALDS run, though he struggled with a 13.50 ERA over 2 innings. The 2012 season proved challenging due to an elbow injury; Alburquerque underwent in December 2011 to insert a screw stabilizing a non-displaced in his right elbow's , sidelining him until September. Limited to eight games upon his return, he posted an impressive 0.68 with 18 strikeouts in 13.1 . In the , he contributed to the Tigers' ALDS victory over the Athletics with a win in Game 2 and a scoreless in Game 4, though he allowed a in World Series Game 1 against the Giants. Alburquerque rebounded in , serving in a key relief capacity during the regular season and playoffs en route to the Tigers' appearance, where they fell to the Boston Red Sox in six . That postseason, he made seven appearances, allowing two earned runs over 4.2 for a 3.86 . He continued delivering consistent bullpen performances in 2014 (3–1, 2.51 in 57.1 ) and 2015 (4–1, 4.21 over 62 , leading MLB with four balks). Across his five seasons with , Alburquerque compiled a 17–6 , 2.92 , 276 strikeouts, and 1.283 in 224.2 over 241 . Primarily utilized as a setup reliever, Alburquerque bridged the gap to closers (2011–2013) and (2015), often handling high-leverage situations with his high-velocity and sharp .

Later MLB stints (2016–2018)

Following his departure from the Detroit Tigers, where he had established himself as a reliable right-handed reliever, Al Alburquerque signed a one-year contract with the on January 19, 2016, worth $1.1 million including incentives. He appeared in two games for the Angels early in the season, posting a 4.50 over 2.0 with one and no decisions. Optioned to Triple-A , Alburquerque struggled with command and was on May 21 before being outrighted; he was released by the Angels on August 13 after limited effectiveness in the minors. On August 23, 2016, Alburquerque signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners and was assigned to their Triple-A affiliate, the . He made six relief appearances for Tacoma, recording a 6.00 over 6.0 innings with five strikeouts and a 1.67 , but did not receive a call-up to the majors before becoming a in November. Alburquerque continued his search for a major league role by signing a minor league contract with the on January 7, 2017, including an invitation to . He began the season with the Royals' Triple-A , where he excelled with a 2.08 and three saves in 22 appearances over 26.0 . Promoted to Kansas City on , Alburquerque debuted in the majors that month and appeared in 11 games, going 0-1 with a 3.60 in 10.0 , including 10 strikeouts and a notable outing on May 21 where he retired the side in order. However, control issues led to his designation for assignment on July 24, 2017, and release on July 29 after clearing waivers without a minor league option. Shortly after his release, on August 4, 2017, Alburquerque signed another deal with the and reported to Triple-A , where he posted a 4.63 in 10 outings over 11.2 . He earned a call-up on the 9th and contributed effectively in 10 appearances, recording a 1.13 over 8.0 with eight strikeouts and limiting opponents to a .154 , though he took one loss. Alburquerque became a after the season on October 3. Seeking to revive his big-league chances, Alburquerque inked a minor league contract with the Blue Jays on January 25, 2018, again with a invite. Assigned to Triple-A , he delivered a solid performance with a 3.77 , four saves, and 28 strikeouts in 25 games over 28.2 innings, showcasing improved command with a 1.19 . Despite his effectiveness, Alburquerque did not receive league promotion and was released by on July 2. Across his later major league appearances from 2016 to 2018 with the Angels, Royals, and White Sox, Alburquerque made 23 relief outings, compiling a 0-2 record with a 2.70 ERA over 20.0 innings and 19 strikeouts. These stints highlighted his transitional role in the league, marked by brief opportunities amid ongoing minor league assignments.

Post-MLB professional play (2019–2025)

Following his final Major League Baseball appearance in 2018, Al Alburquerque continued his career as a relief pitcher in international and independent leagues, drawing on his prior MLB experience to secure contracts while aiming for a potential major league return. In 2019, Alburquerque signed with the Acereros del Monclova of the Mexican League, where he made 52 relief appearances, compiling a 1–1 record with a 3.27 ERA over 52⅓ innings pitched and 38 strikeouts. He did not play professionally in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic's disruption to baseball operations worldwide. Alburquerque did not play professionally in 2022. He returned to Monclova in 2021, appearing in 24 games for a 0–1 record and 2.78 ERA across 22⅔ innings with 26 strikeouts. Alburquerque transitioned to independent baseball in 2023, signing with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League on February 16. In 50 relief outings, he went 6–1 with a 3.65 ERA, allowing 18 earned runs over 44⅓ innings while striking out 47 batters; his strong performance as a setup man and occasional closer earned him selection to the Atlantic League Mid-Season All-Star team. Later that year, he joined the Olmecas de Tabasco of the Mexican League as a reinforcement for the postseason. Alburquerque remained with for the full 2024 Mexican League season, making 20 appearances with a 1–1 record and 7.50 in 18 , during which he recorded 16 strikeouts before his release on July 1. He then rejoined the , contributing in 21 relief games with a 2–1 mark and 3.66 over 19⅔ innings and 24 strikeouts. On July 1, 2025, Alburquerque re-signed with for a brief third stint. In his only appearance on July 5, he failed to record an out, surrendering 2 earned runs on 1 hit and 3 walks. The Ducks released him on July 12. Across 91 appearances in 2023 and 2024 between the Atlantic League and , Alburquerque solidified his role as a seasoned right-handed reliever, though he did not secure another MLB opportunity by late 2025.

Playing style

Pitch repertoire

Al Alburquerque, a right-handed reliever, primarily relied on a two-pitch mix throughout his professional career, featuring a and a that formed the core of his arsenal. The , thrown with significant velocity, typically ranged from 94 to 98 mph during his peak years, allowing him to elevate the pitch for strikeouts and set up his . This fastball emphasized raw speed and occasional sinker variations around 94 mph, providing a high-velocity foundation that complemented his deceptive secondary offering. His served as the primary out pitch, clocking in at 85 to 88 mph with sharp downward break, particularly effective against left-handed batters due to its late movement and tunneling with the . Alburquerque threw approximately 60% of the time, making it the cornerstone of his approach and generating whiff rates above 50% on swings, with a career-high of 54% whiff-per-swing among qualified pitchers in the era up to 2013. This pitch's effectiveness stemmed from its depth and velocity differential, often inducing weak contact or swings-and-misses when batters anticipated his . During his minor league tenure with the Chicago Cubs organization, Alburquerque refined the mechanics of his , enhancing its bite and consistency after early struggles with command and injuries in the low minors. His fastball velocity reached its zenith between 2011 and 2013 while with the Detroit Tigers, averaging in the mid-90s and occasionally touching 98 mph, which amplified the 's deceptive quality in high-leverage situations. This evolution contributed to his career totals exceeding 290 in MLB alone, underscoring the potency of his streamlined repertoire.

Performance characteristics

Al Alburquerque's career, spanning seven seasons from 2011 to 2017, showcased a with a 17–8 win-loss record, a 3.16 (), and 291 over 245 . His rate stood at an impressive 10.7 per nine (K/9), reflecting his ability to generate swings and misses, particularly in high-leverage situations as a middle reliever for the Tigers and other teams. However, control issues were evident, with a walk rate of 5.0 per nine (BB/9) and a career of 1.314, which often inflated his baserunner totals and limited his effectiveness in longer outings. Alburquerque's primary strength lay in his high strikeout potential, driven by the devastating movement on his , which accounted for a significant portion of his whiffs during his peak years with . He thrived in short bursts of one to two , where his and break could overwhelm hitters, contributing to a sub-3.00 in his 2011 season (1.87 over 43.1 ) and a strong 2014 campaign (2.51 in 57.1 ). This style made him a valuable , though his role rarely extended beyond situational relief due to inconsistent command. Weaknesses in Alburquerque's profile included persistent injury setbacks and control problems that hampered his durability and consistency. He missed the entire 2008 season following shoulder surgery to repair a tear, and in late 2011, he underwent surgery for a , sidelining him for the first half of 2012. These issues, combined with a career-high walk rate in multiple seasons (peaking at 6.2 BB/9 in ), led to elevated ERAs in injury-affected years like (4.59) and 2015 (4.21). In the years following his MLB tenure, Alburquerque sustained his prowess in and independent leagues but struggled with elevated , indicative of declining command and velocity in his late 30s. For instance, across stints in the Mexican and Atlantic from 2019 to 2024, he posted rates often exceeding 9.0 K/9, yet his 2024 performance with the Tabasco Olmecas yielded a 7.50 over 18 with 16 . This trend highlighted his enduring ability to miss bats in shorter appearances while underscoring challenges in preventing hard contact against more familiar competition.

References

  1. [1]
    Al Alburquerque Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News
    Al Alburquerque Bio · Fullname: Alberto Jose Alburquerque · Born: 6/10/1986 in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic · Debut: 4/15/2011.
  2. [2]
    Al Alburquerque Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More
    Al Alburquerque. Position: Pitcher. Bats: Right • Throws: Right. 6-0, 195lb (183cm, 88kg). Born: June 10, 1986 in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic ...
  3. [3]
    Al Alburquerque Career Stats - MLB - ESPN
    Complete career MLB stats for the Toronto Blue Jays Relief Pitcher Al Alburquerque on ESPN. Includes games played, hits and home runs per MLB season.
  4. [4]
    Al Alburquerque Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News
    Al Alburquerque #44 · Alberto Jose Alburquerque · Status: Released · Born: 6/10/1986 in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic · MLB Debut: 4/15/2011.
  5. [5]
    Al Alburquerque Minor, Winter, Mexican & Independent Leagues ...
    Al Alburquerque. Position: Relief Pitcher. Bats: Right • Throws: Right. 6-0, 195lb (183cm, 88kg). Born: June 10, 1986 in San Pedro de Macoris, ...
  6. [6]
    How Baseball Changed Life In A Dominican Town - NPR
    Apr 17, 2010 · But it's San Pedro de Macoris, in the Dominican Republic, that's known as "the town where shortstops come from." As of 2008, 79 boys and men ...
  7. [7]
    The Five Hottest Dominican Baseball Hotbeds
    Apr 30, 2019 · Let's take a closer look at the four other Dominican cities that supply the most baseball talent, with an emphasis on players active in the 21st century.
  8. [8]
    Santo Alcala – Society for American Baseball Research - SABR.org
    May 11, 2016 · ... San Pedro de Macoris in the Dominican Republic.1 At the age of 16 ... The motto of this baseball hotbed is seis-cuatro-tres, or 6-4-3 ...
  9. [9]
    Robinson Cano: The $240 Million Man - GQ
    Mar 28, 2014 · He has a house in “La Capital” (Santo Domingo) as well as this one here, in his hometown of San Pedro de Macorís, the crowded cradle of baseball ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  10. [10]
    2003 Major League Baseball Transactions
    The Colorado Rockies signed Joe Roa as a free agent. The Chicago Cubs signed Al Alburquerque as an amateur free agent. July 5, 2003. The Kansas City Royals ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  11. [11]
    Al Alburquerque - BR Bullpen - Baseball-Reference.com
    Signed by scout Jose Serra, Alburquerque began his professional career in 2004 with the DSL Cubs, then missed all of 2005 with injury. In 2006, he was with ...
  12. [12]
    Area Scouts With The Most Big League Debuts This Decade
    May 2, 2014 · Jose Serra, Cubs (seven). Area Base: Dominican Republic. Current Role ... 2011 Debuts: RHP Al Alburquerque and RHP Rafael Dolis. 2012 ...
  13. [13]
    Tigers have gotten little value from international free agent signings
    Jul 3, 2015 · Al Alburquerque was signed as an international free agent by the Chicago Cubs. Armando Galarraga was signed by the Texas Rangers, and Alexis ...
  14. [14]
    Tigers sign right-handed pitcher Alberto Alburquerque to major ...
    Nov 19, 2010 · DETROIT -- The Detroit Tigers ended a busy day Friday by signing minor league free-agent pitcher Alberto Alburquerque, a right-hander, ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  15. [15]
    https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/albural01.shtml#postseason_pitching
  16. [16]
    Al Alburquerque undergoes surgery on right elbow - MLB.com
    Dec 16, 2011 · Alburquerque underwent a surgical procedure to have a screw inserted into his olecranon to stabilize a non-displaced stress fracture in his ...
  17. [17]
    Henning: Tigers need to fix bullpen or miss playoffs - The Detroit News
    Mar 31, 2015 · A next step in retooling Detroit's back-end is to make Bruce Rondon the Tigers' new set-up man. ... Soria, Rondon, Al Alburquerque, Nesbitt, and – ...
  18. [18]
    Angels Sign Al Alburquerque - MLB Trade Rumors
    Jan 19, 2016 · Angels Sign Al Alburquerque ... JAN. 19: The Angels have announced the signing, though some new details on the deal have emerged today.
  19. [19]
    Royals Designate Al Alburquerque For Assignment
    May 21, 2017 · Royals Designate Al Alburquerque For Assignment. May 21st, 2017 at 9:46am CST • By Connor Byrne. The Royals have designated right-hander Al ...Missing: date | Show results with:date
  20. [20]
    SEVEN-YEAR MLB VETERAN AL ALBURQUERQUE JOINS FLOCK
    Feb 16, 2023 · The Dominican Republic native made his MLB debut on April 15, 2011, at Oakland, striking out the first batter he faced (Mark Ellis) and ...Missing: early life
  21. [21]
    THREE DUCKS NAMED ATLANTIC LEAGUE MID-SEASON ALL ...
    Jul 20, 2023 · Three Ducks were honored, including starting pitcher Stephen Woods Jr., relief pitcher Al Alburquerque and manager Wally Backman.Missing: released | Show results with:released
  22. [22]
    Alburquerque y Roy Morales refuerzos de Olmecas de Tabasco
    Oct 16, 2023 · El pitcher dominicano Al Alburquerque y el catcher y primera base puertoriqueño Roy Morales son nuevos refuerzos de Olmecas de Tabasco de ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  23. [23]
    Atlantic League of Professional Baseball Clubs - transactions
    Demurias, Eddy released. 09/09/25, Long Island Ducks, Pike, Chad placed on ... Alburquerque, Al released. 07/12/25, Long Island Ducks, Melville, Tim ...
  24. [24]
    Al Alburquerque Player Card | Baseball Prospectus
    2017-08-04 : Chicago White Sox signed free agent RHP Al Alburquerque to a minor league contract. 2017-07-29 : Kansas City Royals released RHP Al Alburquerque.
  25. [25]
    Despite struggles, Alburquerque feeling fine - MLB.com
    Apr 24, 2015 · DETROIT -- The velocity has been down for Al Alburquerque, the pitches have been up and too many are going out. ... He threw 93-94 mph on a four- ...
  26. [26]
    Can Detroit Tigers RHP Al Alburquerque Keep It In The Fairway?
    Feb 7, 2014 · His WHIP, which had been a more than respectable 1.15 and 1.05 in his first two years, also rose to 1.49. This is a disturbing trend and ...Missing: velocity | Show results with:velocity
  27. [27]
    Al Alburquerque could bring Halos monster back-end of bullpen
    Feb 9, 2016 · ... Al Alburquerque. Las.. ... His sinker is thrown much harder (94 mph) and uses outstanding velocity.
  28. [28]
    Al Alburquerque Stats: Statcast, Visuals & Advanced Metrics
    ### Pitch Arsenal Data for Al Alburquerque (MLB Career)
  29. [29]
    Angels Notes: Al Alburquerque brings a power arm to bullpen
    Feb 21, 2016 · Alburquerque's best pitch, however, is his slider. He has thrown it about 60 percent of the time throughout his career. Last year opponents hit ...
  30. [30]
    Detroit Tigers player preview: Can Al Alburquerque earn a late ...
    Apr 2, 2015 · The Tigers immediately added Alburquerque to their 40-man roster. He made his major league debut on April 15, 2011, pitching two scoreless ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  31. [31]
    Al Alburquerque's Magic Pitch - New English D
    Aug 28, 2013 · Against Al-Al's slider, hitters are 80% worse than league average. They slug 100 points lower than league average batting average. It's ...
  32. [32]
    Al Alburquerque hopes more pitch variety helps restart career
    When Al Alburquerque was breaking into professional ball as a 20-year-old Chicago Cubs prospect out of San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic, he spent ...Missing: early | Show results with:early
  33. [33]
    Detroit Tigers reliever Al Alburquerque turns heads with nasty slider ...
    He missed all of the 2005 season with a strained elbow that resulted in Tommy John surgery, then missed 2008 after a torn shoulder forced more surgery. A ...