born january american professional baseball pitcher mlb previously played philadelphia_phillies throws left handed grew nebraska attended high school small baseball team instead focused golf playing baseball summer team played seasons baseball college respectively attending junior college baseball showcase offered scholarship play division baseball philadelphia_phillies selected 30th round ultimately signed phillies began starting pitcher progressed levels phillies farm system years starter adjusting mechanics lowering arm slot throw bullpen relief pitcher adjustment worked helped remaining levels phillies farm system making major league debut seasons split time major league phillies triple aaa affiliate major league team considered lone bright spots throws fastball mph occasional fastball fastest left handed major leagues parents key parts life especially mother died soon phillies drafted draws inspiration holds degree business administration resides nebraska offseason early career born paul brother attended nebraska small field baseball team played golf instead eventually joined baseball team players surrounding towns called best experience life fun concurrently worked time lawn factory earn money pursue post secondary education graduating high school enrolled pitched season transferred kansas following sophomore season attended showcase fastball miles hour drew interest received offer scholarship accepted phillies drafted 30th round professional career philadelphia_phillies pitched lower levels system initially starter subsequently initially saw success posting era starts struggled posting era starts split conclusion pitched continue skills mound converted starting pitcher phillies pitching prospects time suggestion minor league pitching coaches converted relief lowered release point current low angle success manifest immediately posted era season relief cut era splitting time phillies high affiliate end season played spent season double reading phillies record era saves games phillies added man roster protect rule draft receiving praise phillies pitching coach performance spring training opened season aaa valley posted record era saves games season month added phillies man major_league roster days later recorded win houston mlb debut finished year established specialist era walked batters innings erratic control entering expected key phillies bullpen success break camp big league club beginning season aaa aaa struggled delayed arrival major league team june big league club continued dominance left handed hitters good right handed hitters point differential opponent batting average point differential base plus slugging improved control member bullpen lone bright spots dismal phillies bullpen ultimately phillies opening day roster member bullpen early season emerged reliable phillies bullpen extensively manager season progressed successful left handed hitters right handed hitters variety situations september pitchers combined hitter phillies win atlanta braves end season phillies best league consisted predominantly young players excitement phillies personnel writers bullpen remain solid long time young pitchers potential phillies trade overall emerged mentioned elite national_league right handed batters hurt statistics texas_rangers july traded texas_rangers cole exchange important bullpen piece rangers run playoffs rangers agreed year deal worth million january avoided arbitration pitching style specialist throws fastball occasional right handed hitters fastball fastest left handed major leagues like left handed pitchers particularly throw arm angle similar tough left handed hitters held allowed right handed hitters despite suggestions remain specialist emerged favorite middle manager personal life maturation characterized parents equally loving embodied stark terms demeanor mother biggest fan order husband paul stop pacing watch pitch died age months phillies drafted son sought therapy cope loss thinking star banner prior game mother death started appreciate little things game slowed fun invoked mother spirit avoiding drive determination projects hard worked dedication job said paid came thought job want time dedication like legacy young man tiny sunday rendition star banner baseball stadium describes father best friend helped cope mother death away baseball holds associate degree business administration enjoys listening music working playing golf resides nebraska offseason
Jake Diekman