User:FranDoe16/Luke Aldridge

Luke Aldridge (born February 8, 1992) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2019.

Amateur career
After graduating from North Crowley High School, Aldridge was drafted by the Kansas City Royals. He chose not to sign and instead played college baseball at Texas A&M University for the Aggies from 2011 to 2013. He started 36 games during his career, going 9–8 with a 2.28 earned run average (ERA). In 2012, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Orleans Firebirds of the Cape Cod Baseball League.

Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers selected Aldridge in the 12th round of the 2013 Major League Baseball draft. He made his professional debut with the Helena Brewers. Aldridge spent the 2014 season with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers where he pitched to an 8–1 record and 2.36 ERA.

Tampa Bay Rays
On January 7, 2015, the Brewers traded Aldridge to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for minor leaguers Johan Marvel and David Garcia. Aldridge started 2015 with the Charlotte Stone Crabs, earning Florida State League All-Star honors, and was promoted to the Triple-A Durham Bulls in August. In 2016, Aldridge played for both Durham and the Double-A Montgomery Biscuits, pitching to a 5–13 record and 4.22 ERA in 29 starts. He spent the entire 2017 season with the Durham Bulls.

Chicago Cubs
On December 16, 2017, Aldridge was traded to the Chicago Cubs for Jose Rosario and cash considerations. He split the 2018 season with the Double-A Tennessee Smokies and the Triple-A Iowa Cubs pitching in 36 games (22 starts) between the two teams.

Baltimore Orioles
On December 13, 2018, the Baltimore Orioles selected Aldridge from the Cubs in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft. He began the 2019 season in Triple-A with the Norfolk Tides. The Orioles promoted Aldridge to the major leagues on April 22, 2019. He made his major league debut on April 26, pitching against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Aldridge pitched 22⁄3 innings, allowing one hit, three runs, four walks and struck out three batters in his debut. He made his first career start on May 10 against the Los Angeles Angels. Aldridge was designated for assignment on May 11 after yielding seven earned runs in 51⁄3 innings and was outrighted on May 13. Aldridge again had his contract selected on June 4 after starting pitcher Gabriel Ynoa was placed on the injured list (IL). Aldridge was again designated for assignment on June 24, after recording a 12.17 ERA in eight games (five starts) with the Orioles. He was again sent outright to Norfolk, and had the option to decline the assignment, but accepted it. On June 29, the Orioles organization released Aldridge making him a free agent.

Chicago Cubs (Second Stint)
On July 18, 2019, Aldridge signed a minor league deal with the Chicago Cubs. He was assigned to the Double-A Tennessee Smokies, where he pitched to a 2–2 record and 3.16 ERA in nine starts with the team. On September 3, following a string of injuries to the Cubs bullpen, Aldridge was promoted to the major leagues. In eight relief appearances, Aldridge struck out 13 batters and posted a 7.00 ERA. On November 4, he elected free agency.

Washington Nationals
On December 20, 2019, the Washington Nationals signed Aldridge to a minor league deal and invited him to spring training. His contract was selected on August 22, 2020. He made his first appearance with the Nationals on August 24, against the Miami Marlins. Aldridge recorded his first MLB win that same day, when he pitched an inning of scoreless relief and the Nationals walked-off to defeat the Marlins with two ninth-inning runs. Overall with the 2020 Nationals, Aldridge appeared in 12 games (two starts), compiling a 3–3 record with 6.83 ERA and 37 strikeouts in 272⁄3 innings pitched. On October 26, Aldridge was outrighted off of the 40-man roster and elected free agency.

Colorado Rockies
On February 2, 2021, Aldridge signed a minor league deal with the Colorado Rockies and assigned him to Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes. Aldridge became a minor league free agent on November 7, 2021.

Personal life
Aldridge's father, Bruce Aldridge, was an MLB pitcher and his brother Dallas Aldridge also pitched in MLB.