(July 25) — Former York Revolution lefthander Edward Paredes was called up by the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday and tossed a perfect eighth inning against the Minnesota Twins to earn the win in his Major League debut on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. Paredes becomes the ninth player in Revs history to reach the Major Leagues following his time in York, the third to make his MLB debut, and the first to earn the win in his big league debut. The 30-year-old pitched for the Revolution from 2013-2015.
Paredes’ call-up comes in his 12th pro season. The Dominican Republic native signed with the Seattle Mariners, where he began his pro career in the Dominican Summer League in 2006, advancing to reach the Triple-A level multiple times during seven years in the Mariners system as well as earning a spot on the club’s 40-man roster from November 2009 through June 2011. Following a stint in the Cleveland Indians organization, Paredes joined the Revs early in the 2013 season and went on to enjoy three stellar seasons in the York bullpen.
Following his third season in York, Paredes earned a contract with the Los Angeles Angels, where he pitched for Double-A Arkansas in 2016 and was a Texas League All-Star. Paredes signed with the Detroit Tigers in November 2016 before being claimed off waivers by the Dodgers less than a month later. He was a Texas League All-Star again this season with Tulsa, owning a 2.81 ERA in 24 appearances with 45 strikeouts in 32.0 innings at the Double-A level. Paredes was promoted to Triple-A Oklahoma City on July 4, where he dominated in six outings, allowing one unearned run on four hits in 8.1 innings, striking out 14, and walking one.
During three seasons in York, Paredes went 9-6 with a 3.00 ERA in 131 outings, including sub-3.00 ERAs in each of his first two years. He held a 1.12 WHIP over his final two years with York and struck out 73 in 57.0 innings during the 2015 season. All-time, Paredes ranks seventh in Revs history in ERA (min. 100.0 IP) and fourth in both appearances and relief wins.
“Eddie was one of the best lefty relievers in the league during his time here,” commented Revs manager Mark Mason. “More importantly, he had a tremendous work ethic and was a great teammate and true professional. He made the most of his opportunity here and has earned this. We’re extremely proud and happy for him.”
Paredes is the ninth former Revs player to reach the Majors and the third to make his big league debut after playing in York, joining fellow left-handed pitchers Scott Rice (New York Mets, 2013) and Ian Thomas (Atlanta Braves, 2014). Paredes is the second Revs alum to play for the Dodgers, joining Thomas (2015), and is the first Revs alum to appear in the Majors since Thomas did so in 2015 with the Braves and Dodgers. Both sported uniform number 58 with Los Angeles.
Paredes needed just 11 pitches (7 strikes) to work a 1-2-3 eighth in Monday’s debut with his team trailing 4-3. He retired Twins catcher Jason Castro on a fly out to left, his first batter faced. When Cody Bellinger connected on a three-run home run in the bottom of the eighth, it made Paredes the eventual winner in the 6-4 come-from-behind victory.
Paredes joins Rice, Thomas, and Shawn Hill (Toronto Blue Jays, 2012) as former Revs to earn big league wins. Paredes and Hill are the only two to do so in their first appearance in the Majors after pitching in York, and Paredes becomes the first to do so in his Major League debut.
Paredes made Dodgers history on Monday night, becoming the first Dodgers left-handed reliever to earn the win in his Major League debut since Pete Richert on April 12, 1962, in a game against the Cincinnati Reds, also at Dodger Stadium.
Paredes was one of two Atlantic League alumni to pitch in Monday’s contest at Dodger Stadium. Former Somerset lefty Buddy Boshers struck out the side for Minnesota in the sixth.
