Anthony Vasquez

Anthony Russell Vasquez (born September 19, 1986) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Seattle Mariners in .

Career Vasquez attended Ronald Reagan High School in San Antonio, Texas, then Texas A&M University and the University of Southern California (USC). He played college baseball for the Texas A&M Aggies and the USC Trojans.

Seattle Mariners The Seattle Mariners selected Vasquez in the 18th round of the 2009 MLB draft. He made his professional debut with the rookie ball Pulaski Mariners. He spent the 2010 season playing for three Mariners affiliates, the Single-A Clinton LumberKings, the High-A High Desert Mavericks, and the Double-A West Tenn Diamond Jaxx, recording a cumulative 11–9 record and 2.46 ERA in 28 games for the clubs.

Vasquez made his MLB debut on August 23, 2011. He recorded his first MLB strikeout against the second batter he faced. However, he struggled in his only season in the majors. On November 3, he was outrighted off of the 40-man roster after posting a 8.90 ERA in innings for the Mariners. Vasquez spent the 2012 season in Triple-A with the Tacoma Rainiers, pitching to a 6.53 ERA and 6–5 record. He split the 2013 season between the Double-A Jackson Generals and Clinton, accumulating a 2–6 record and 4.08 ERA in 15 appearances. On March 27, 2014, the Mariners released Vasquez.

Baltimore Orioles Vasquez signed a minor league deal with the Baltimore Orioles on April 8, 2014. He split the season between the Triple-A Norfolk Tides and the Double-A Bowie Baysox, pitching to an 8–8 record and 4.95 ERA before electing free agency after the season on November 4.

Philadelphia Phillies Vasquez signed a minor league deal with the Philadelphia Phillies on February 3, 2015. He split the year between the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs and the Double-A Reading Fightin Phils, recording a 9–8 record and 4.10 ERA. He elected free agency after the season and re-signed with the Phillies on January 12, 2016. In 2016 with Lehigh Valley and Reading, Vasquez pitched to a 12–4 record and 3.08 ERA with 119 strikeouts. He elected free agency following the season on November 7.

Detroit Tigers On January 10, 2017, Vasquez signed a minor-league contract with the Detroit Tigers. Vasquez made 27 starts split between the Double-A Erie SeaWolves and Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens, registering a cumulative 12–10 record and 3.83 ERA with 104 strikeouts in innings pitched. He elected free agency following the season on November 6.

Arizona Diamondbacks On February 23, 2018, Vasquez signed a minor league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He was released by the organization on August 2.

Sultanes de Monterrey On August 17, 2018, Vasquez signed with the Sultanes de Monterrey of the Mexican League. In July 2020, Vasquez signed on to play for the Eastern Reyes del Tigre of the Constellation Energy League, a makeshift four-team independent league created as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. He was subsequently named to the league's All-Star team. After the 2020 season, Vasquez played for Tomateros of the LVMP. He also again played for Mexico in the 2021 Caribbean Series.

Player profile Vasquez threw a fastball around , a changeup at around , and a curveball that sat around .

Personal life Vasquez's father, Rudy, works as a scout for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. In November 2012, Vasquez underwent surgery to repair a cerebral arteriovenous malformation after a blood vessel in his brain ruptured. His relative, Chris Beene, is a major influence in his life.