Quick Facts
Biography
Christian Louis Patrick Friedrich (born July 8, 1987) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the San Diego Padres. He made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut with the Colorado Rockies in 2012.
Career
Friedrich attended Loyola Academy in Wilmette, Illinois, and Eastern Kentucky University, where he played for the Eastern Kentucky Colonels baseball team. He was named a Baseball America Freshman All-American in 2006. He was also named a second-team All-American in 2008.
Friedrich was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the first round, with the 25th overall selection, of the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft. Baseball America ranked Friedrich as the #95 best prospect in baseball prior to the 2009 season and the 33rd best prior to the 2010 season.
The Rockies added Friedrich to their 40-man roster after the 2011 season to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. He was called up on May 7, 2012 to make his major league debut against the San Diego Padres on May 9, 2012. On August 3, it was announced that an MRI revealed a stress fracture in his lower back, ending his season. Friedrich was 5-8 with a 6.17 earned run average in 16 starts with 74 strikeouts in 84 2⁄3 innings.
The Rockies designated Friedrich him for assignment on January 28, 2016. He was claimed by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on February 5. On February 19, the claim was reversed and Friedrich was sent back to the Colorado RockiesHe was released by the Rockies the same day.
He signed with the San Diego Padres on a minor league deal on March 3, 2016. The Padres promoted him to the major leagues on May 13.