Huston Street

Huston Street
Street with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim – No. 16
Relief pitcher
Born: August 2, 1983 Austin, Texas
Bats: Right Throws: Right
MLB debut
April 6, 2005, for the Oakland Athletics
MLB statistics (through April 23, 2015)
Win–loss record	40–32
Earned run average	2.83
Strikeouts	652
Saves	320
Teams
Oakland Athletics (2005–2008) Colorado Rockies (2009–2011) San Diego Padres (2012–2014) Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2014–present)
Career highlights and awards
2× All-Star (2012, 2014) AL Rookie of the Year (2005) 300 save club

Medal record
Men's baseball
Representing  United States
Pan American Games
	2003 Santo Domingo	Team competition

Huston Lowell Street (ⁱ/ˈhjuːstən/; born August 2, 1983) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has also played for the Oakland Athletics, Colorado Rockies, and San Diego Padres.

After a standout college baseball career for the Texas Longhorns, the Athletics drafted Street in the first round of the 2004 MLB draft. He won the MLB Rookie of the Year Award in 2005, and was named an All-Star in 2012 and 2014.

Early career

High school and college

Street attended Westlake High School in Austin, Texas from 1997 to 2001 where he lettered in both football^[1] and baseball, winning all-state and all-district honors in both sports.^[2] He then attended the University of Texas at Austin from 2001–2004, where he pitched for the school's baseball team. He is widely regarded as one of the best collegiate closers of all time. Street earned a form of All-American honors at Texas every season he was there and helped his team win the College World Series of collegiate baseball in 2002. In that season, he set a CWS record for the most saves and was named Most Outstanding Player. He won the USA Baseball Richard W. "Dick" Case Player of the Year Award in 2003.^[3] A year later, Street led the Longhorns to the Series semifinals, and in 2004, he helped his team to the finals, only to lose in two games to Cal State Fullerton. In 2010, Street was named to the NCAA College World Series Legends Team.^[4]

Professional career

Oakland Athletics

Drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the first round, 40th overall, of the 2004 Major League Baseball draft, Street spent a few months in the minor leagues, spending no more than a month at each level. He then was invited to the Arizona Fall League where his team took the championship.

Street during his tenure with the Oakland Athletics

Street was called up to the major leagues at the start of the 2005 season. He became Oakland's closer when incumbent Octavio Dotel went down in May with an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery. Street saved 23 games in 27 chances to go along with a 5–1 record, 72 strikeouts, and a 1.72 ERA. Only Mariano Rivera's 1.38 ERA for the Yankees was better among American League relievers. Street had 72 strikeouts in 78¹⁄₃ innings pitched, and opposing hitters batted only .194 against him. He was rewarded for his effort by being named Rookie of the Year, as the third player in a row who had spent some time in the Athletics organization (after Ángel Berroa in 2003, and Bobby Crosby in 2004).

Street continued to serve as the closer for the A's in 2006. He finished the season with a 4-4 record, 37 saves, 67 strikeouts, a 3.31 ERA in 70.2 innings pitched, and 11 blown saves. On October 14, Street gave up a walk-off three-run home run to Magglio Ordóñez of the Detroit Tigers in Game 4 of the 2006 ALCS that ended the A's postseason. Street had a solid season in 2007, despite missing time with an injury. He went 5–2 with a 2.88 ERA, with 16 saves and 62 strikeouts in 50 innings. Street struggled somewhat with a nagging injury in 2008. After a rough stretch in July and August, he lost his closer position to rookie Brad Ziegler. Street's health and pitching improved, although Ziegler continued to close.

Colorado Rockies

On November 12, 2008, Street was traded to the Colorado Rockies with outfielder Carlos González and pitcher Greg Smith for outfielder Matt Holliday.^[5]

He beat out Manny Corpas to earn the role of the Rockies' closing pitcher for the 2009 season.^[6] After poor performances by Street, Corpas was renamed the closer on April 17;^[7] however, Corpas also pitched poorly, and the closer job was given back to Street on May 1.^[8] Since that time, Street excelled in the closer role and was a key cog in the Rockies' mid-season run back into the race (16–1 from June 4 to 22). He finished 2009 with 35 saves in 37 opportunities, a 3.06 ERA and 70 strikeouts in 61.2 innings.

After a 2009 season in which he blew only two saves, Street struggled during the playoffs for the Rockies. In Game 4 of the 2009 National League Division Series, Street entered the ninth inning with the Rockies leading 4–2. He was able to record the first two outs before allowing three runs that gave the Phillies a 5–4 win and a series victory. Before the 2010 season, Street and the Rockies agreed on a three-year $22.5 million contract with an option for 2013.^[9]

Street missed the first two-and-a-half months of the season of the 2010 season with shoulder soreness,^[10] but on returning to the team he assumed the role of closer. Prior to a game on July 26, 2010, Street was struck in the midsection by a line drive during batting practice. He fainted several times from the pain and needed to be taken off the field in an ambulance, but he avoided the disabled list.^[11] Street finished 2010 with 20 saves in 25 opportunities and a 3.61 ERA.

Street opened 2011 as the Rockies closer, saving 29 games in 32 opportunities through early August. He suffered a right triceps strain and was sent to the 15-day disabled list on August 12.^[12] When he returned, he worked in the role of set-up man while Rafael Betancourt remained as closer.^[13] Street finished 2011 with a 3.86 ERA and 55 strike-outs versus 9 walks in 58.1 innings.

San Diego Padres

Street pitching for the San Diego Padres in 2013

Street was traded by the Rockies to the San Diego Padres for left hander Nick Schmidt on December 7, 2011. The Padres picked up all but $500,000 of Street's remaining contract,^[14] and he moved immediately into the closer role vacated by Heath Bell. Street missed a month with a right shoulder strain,^[15] but otherwise had an excellent first half with the Padres. He compiled a 1.13 ERA, was 13 for 13 in converting save opportunities, and did not allow a home run in his 25 games, earning a selection to his first All-Star Game.^[16]

On July 29, 2012, the Padres and Street agreed to terms on a two-year contract extension with a club option for the 2015 season.^[17]

On August 10, 2012, Street suffered a strained left calf while fielding the final out of the game and missed the next six weeks.^[18] At the time of the injury, he had not allowed a run since June 17. He returned to pitch in three more games at the end of the season, earning his 200th career save in his first game back.^[19] His only blown save, loss, and home runs given up for the season (two) all occurred in his final appearance of the year against the San Francisco Giants. Street finished the 2012 season with 23 saves in 24 chances and a 1.85 ERA in 39 innings pitched, striking out 47 against 11 walks.

Street had difficulties in the first half of the 2013 season, giving up 10 home runs in 26¹⁄₃ innings through June 23.^[20] But he followed that with a streak of 20¹⁄₃ scoreless innings from June 26 through September 3, earning the National League Player of the Week honor for the week ending September 8.^[21] Street appeared in 58 games in 2013, missing only a couple weeks in early June with a calf strain.^[22] He converted 33 of 35 save opportunities and posted a 2.70 ERA, striking out 46 and walking 14 in 56²⁄₃ innings.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

On July 19, 2014, Street was traded to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim with Trevor Gott in exchange for Taylor Lindsey, José Rondón, R. J. Alvarez, and Elliot Morris.^[23][24] After joining the Angels, Street recorded 10 saves in a row without allowing any run, providing huge upgrade for the struggling Angels bullpen.

In May 2015, Street signed a two-year contract extension with the Angels worth $18 million.^[25]

On July 22, 2015, Street recorded his 300th career save in a victory over the Minnesota Twins, becoming the 27th pitcher all time to reach the 300 saves milestone.^[26]

Scouting

Unlike most closers, Street is a finesse pitcher instead of a power pitcher. Street's fastball usually hovers in the 88-92 mph range, but has exceptional tailing movement. He also features a sharp slider at 84–86 mph that he uses frequently against righties, as well as a good circle changeup at around the 82–84 mph range with splitter-like movement that he uses effectively against lefties.

Personal

His father was former University of Texas quarterback James Street, and his brother Juston Street was previously a pitcher for the minor league Vancouver Canadians. Street and his wife, Lacey, have three sons named Ripken Rae Street, Ryder James Street, and Rafe William Street.^[27]

References

1. "FOOTBALL ALL-STARS" (PDF). Texas High School Coaches Association.
2. "www.westlakechaps.com". westlakechaps.com. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
3. "USA Baseball names year-end award winners". usabaseball.com.
4. Landon Powell named to NCAA College World Series Legends Team | oaklandathletics.com: Official Info. Oakland.athletics.mlb.com. Retrieved on May 8, 2011.
5. "A's acquire OF Matt Holliday from Colorado – athletics.com: Official Info". Oakland Athletics. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
6. Street Beats Out Corpas for Closing Spot SI.com, April 3, 2009
7. Corpas to take over closing duties, Colorado Rockies. Published April 17, 2009. Retrieved April 22, 2009.
8. Harding, Thomas. Let's play musical closers, Colorado Rockies. Published May 1, 2009. Retrieved May 3, 2009.
9. "Street finalizes contract with Rockies". ESPN.com. January 27, 2010. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
10. Renck, Troy (March 17, 2010). "Rockies closer Street suffers shoulder setback". The Denver Post. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
11. Armstrong, Jim (July 27, 2010). "Street escapes serious injury, resting at home". Blog: On the Rox. DenverPost.com. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
12. "Rockies place Huston Street on DL". ESPN.com. August 12, 2011. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
13. "Rockies' Betancourt to stay in closer role for now". The Denver Post. August 27, 2011. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
14. Brock, Corey (December 7, 2011). "Padres trade for Street, fill closer vacancy". MLB.com. Retrieved December 7, 2011.
15. Center, Bill (May 5, 2012). "Padres lose game, maybe Street". The San Diego Union-Tribune.
16. Sanders, Jeff (July 9, 2012). "Padres: Street latest in long line of Padres closers to make All-Star team". North County Times.
17. Brock, Corey (July 29, 2102). "Street signs two-year extension to stay in SD". MLB.com. Retrieved January 7, 2013. Check date values in: |date= (help)
18. Jenkins, Chris (August 10, 2010). "Headley homers torment Bucs". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
19. Brock, Corey (September 25, 2012). "For Street, 200th save is just 'a stop along the way'". MLB.com. Retrieved November 3, 2013.
20. "Huston Street allows two HRs, Dodgers rally past Padres". Sporting News. June 23, 2013. Retrieved November 3, 2013.
21. "Huston Street of the San Diego Padres named National League Player of the Week". MLB Press Release. MLB.com. September 9, 2013. Retrieved November 3, 2013.
22. Brock, Corey (June 1, 2013). "Street to 15-day DL with left calf strain". MLB.com. Retrieved November 3, 2013.
23. "Padres announce six-player trade with Los Angeles Angels". MLB.com. July 19, 2014. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
24. "Angels acquire closer Huston Street from Padres". ESPN.com. Associated Press. July 19, 2014. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
25. Gary Coronado/Houston Chronicle via AP Images. "Huston Street signs contract extension with Los Angeles Angels – MLB – SI.com". SI.com. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
26. Los Angeles Times (July 23, 2015). "Huston Street credits Trevor Hoffman after picking up 300th save". latimes.com. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
27. "Street returns after birth of son Ripken | ColoradoRockies.com: News". Colorado.rockies.mlb.com. Retrieved July 10, 2012.

External links

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)
• Huston Street on Twitter