Jacob Cauthen Westbrook (born September 29, 1977) is an American former professional baseball pitcher in Major League Baseball. He was known as a sinker ball pitcher. Westbrook made his major league debut with the New York Yankees, but was soon traded to the Cleveland Indians, where he spent ten years. Cleveland eventually dealt him to the St. Louis Cardinals, where he won a World Series in 2011.

Early and personal life

Westbrook was born on September 29, 1977, in Athens, Georgia. He attended Madison County High School. His father, Cauthen, played baseball and basketball at the University of Georgia. His grandfather and great-grandfather were also athletes at UGA. He signed a letter of intent with Georgia but never attended because he signed with the Colorado Rockies. He has an older sister, Jill. They reside in Danielsville, Georgia, and also have a home in Germantown, Tennessee.

Professional career

Draft and minor leagues

Westbrook was a first-round draft pick (21st overall) in the 1996 Major League Baseball draft by the Colorado Rockies. He had previously committed to play college baseball for the Georgia Bulldogs. Following the draft, 18-year-old Westbrook began his pro career with the Arizona Rockies, the Rookie league affiliate of the Rockies in the Arizona League. He made 11 starts in Mesa, going 4–2 with a 2.87 ERA. He was later promoted to the short-season Single-A Portland Rockies in the Northwest League, and went 1–1 with a 2.55 ERA in four starts. The Expos assigned Westbrook to the Jupiter Hammerheads, their Class A-Advanced affiliate in the Florida State League. In 1998, he went 11–6 for the Hammerheads with a 3.26 ERA in 27 starts. The Yankees assigned Westbrook to the Triple-A Columbus Clippers in the International League. He went 5–7 with a 4.65 ERA in 15 starts.

Cleveland Indians (2000–2010)

thumb|left|Westbrook pitching for the Cleveland Indians

On July 24, 2000, the Yankees sent Westbrook and Zach Day to the Cleveland Indians to complete the June 29 trade for outfielder/designated hitter David Justice. However, Westbrook cracked a rib at some point while he was pitching, so his 2000 season was cut short.

Westbrook was named to the All-Star team in , and finished that season 14–9 with a 3.38 ERA in 33 games (30 starts).

Westbrook finished the season with a 15–15 record and a 4.49 ERA in 34 starts. The 2006 season also marked the third consecutive season in which he won at least 14 games. He struggled in the first half of the season, going 1–4 with a 6.27 ERA in nine starts. His stats greatly improved in the second half, and he finished 5–5 with a 3.44 ERA in 16 starts after the All-Star break. The Indians went on to win the series in four games, advancing to the ALCS to face the Boston Red Sox. In Game 3 of the series, Westbrook earned his first postseason win, allowing just two earned runs in innings, helping Cleveland to a 4–2 win and 2–1 series lead. Westbrook then started the decisive Game 7, but suffered the loss after allowing three earned runs on nine hits in six innings. In three postseason starts, he was 1–2 with a 5.60 ERA.

Westbrook started the season strong, going 1–2 with a 2.73 ERA in his first four starts. On April 23, he was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left intercostal muscle. After the start, Westbrook began to feel soreness in his elbow, but was optimistic that he would be able to make his next start. On June 7, 2008, the Tribe announced that he would be undergoing Tommy John surgery and be out of action for 10–14 months, ending his 2008 season. Westbrook also spent the entire 2009 season on the 60-day DL, still recovering from the surgery.

Westbrook tested his surgically repaired elbow in the offseason, playing winter ball in Puerto Rico. He made four starts, recording a 3.65 ERA. Westbrook returned to action as the Indians' 2010 Opening Day starter. Through 21 starts, he was 6–7 with one complete game and a 4.65 ERA.

thumb|left|300px|Westbrook during the 2011 World Series parade

Between Cleveland and St. Louis, Westbrook finished 10–11 with a 4.22 ERA in 33 starts. He went 4–4 with a 3.48 ERA in 12 starts for St. Louis following the trade. On August 31, 2011, Westbrook hit his first career home run, a grand slam against the Milwaukee Brewers.

In 2011, Westbrook issued a career high 73 walks in innings pitched, going 12–9 with a 4.66 ERA in 33 starts. Westbrook pitched in two games and recorded a win in the pivotal Game 6 against the Texas Rangers, when the Cardinals came from behind to win in extra innings while facing elimination.

In 2012, Westbrook finished 13–11 and had a 3.97 ERA in 28 starts. On September 9, Westbrook was sidelined with a strained right oblique. After suffering a setback, he missed the remainder of the season and playoffs.

On July 19, 2013, Westbrook went 3–for–3 as a batter, scoring two runs and driving in one, while also pitching innings. This was Westbrook's first multi-hit game.

On October 31, 2013, the Cardinals declined their $9.5 million option on Westbrook for the 2014 season, making him a free agent. Hampered by injuries after the All-Star break, Westbrook saw little action in the last months of the season and was left off the Cardinals post-season roster. He finished his Cardinal career with a 36–32 record and a 4.27 ERA over three seasons.

Pitching style

Westbrook was a sinkerballer, the pitch accounting for more than 60% of his total pitches. It sat in the low 90s, averaging about 91 mph. He also threw a slider/cutter in the mid-high 80s, as well as a changeup and curveball around 80 mph. Westbrook used his slider on both left- and right-handed hitters, but threw the curveball only to righties and the changeup only to lefties.

In 2013, Westbrook added a split-finger fastball to his arsenal.

References

  • Westbrook player profile page at Scout.com